How to get 'last-minute' FIFA World Cup tickets in Vancouver
If you’re still looking to get your hands on FIFA World Cup tickets, this is your last chance to do it at face value.
FIFA has announced details of the “last-minute ticket sales” period, which begins Wednesday, April 1, at 11 a.m. EDT/8 a.m. PDT. The fourth and final phase of FIFA World Cup ticket sales, it’ll remain open until the end of the tournament.
Unlike previous ticket phases, this one won’t involve a lottery. Tickets will be available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis via FIFA.com/tickets.
“Fans will be able to immediately see the matches and categories for which tickets are available, select specific seats, proceed with the purchase and receive confirmation once payment is completed,” FIFA announced.
“FIFA encourages fans to check FIFA.com/tickets regularly, as tickets that are temporarily unavailable may become available again through the official platform. Tickets will continue to be released on a rolling basis, including same-day tickets for matches on occasion (subject to availability).”
FIFA World Cup countdown clock installed outside BC Place in Vancouver (Kenneth Chan)
Tickets are subject to availability, and it’s unclear how many seats remain unsold for each of the 16 host cities.
Just 13 of 104 matches will take place in Canada, with Vancouver (7) and Toronto (6) serving as host cities. The remaining matches will be held in the United States (78) and Mexico (13).
FIFA World Cup ticket resale site opens again
The official FIFA World Cup ticket resale site is set to reopen on April 2. While fans set the prices, FIFA takes a 30 per cent cut on all transactions on the platform — 15 per cent from the buyer and 15 per cent from the seller.
Needless to say, prices are expected to be inflated, where laws allow. Ontario’s new law banning the resale of tickets to events for higher than the original value is expected to be in place for all six matches at BMO Field in Toronto. No such law exists in B.C.
Expect attendance records to be broken
FIFA expects this tournament to break the all-time attendance record of 3.5 million spectators, set the last time the United States hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994.
This is the largest FIFA World Cup in history, with an expanded tournament format that includes 48 teams. Three countries are hosting, which is also a first.
FIFA says over 500 million ticket requests were made during the random selection ticket draw period, and over one million tickets were sold by Feb. 27.