Irish Manchester City fans slam outrageous €700 Club World Cup ticket prices
Manchester City fans in Ireland are shunning the controversial new Club World Cup that kicks off this weekend as a money-spinning tournament, it is claimed. With many standard tickets priced at an eye-watering €700, they claim the stadiums at 11 cities across host country America could be an empty embarrassment for FIFA when it kicks off after midnight on Sunday.
Packages for the whole tournament are available for US$29,211 (€25,482) or US$7,463 (€6,510) for both semis and the final. Ireland's No1 Man City fan Gareth Hayes, who his club previously voted as their Fan of the Season, told the Irish Mirror: 'There is not much interest anywhere. Even my mates who would be hardcore fans have turned away. It's too expensive on them. Where do you stop as a fan? It seems to be who has the most money gets a seat. They're talking about costs of €10,000 to go to it. It's money for the clubs.'
The Club World Cup (CWC) has a total prize pot of $1bn (€870m) with the winners to net US$125m (€108m). But football fans claim the revamped 32-team global club tournament has failed to spark their interest. Some, like Mr Hayes, from Westmeath, claim this is due to the high prices of tickets, which went on sale earlier this year. Due to the disillusion of fans like Mr Hayes, hundreds of dollars were knocked off tickets in recent days.
There is now a risk that the controversial new FIFA competition, which was invented by its president Gianni Infantino as a glittering curtain-raiser for next summer's 2026 World Cup, could have thousands of empty seats, it is claimed. FIFA has already announced ticket giveaways to thousands of emergency workers for Los Angeles matches and fans have called for further reductions or free tickets to local schools, which is a practice sometimes undertaken by Ireland's FAI to fill Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
Some ticket prices for the opening match of this new inaugural Club World Cup in Florida between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Egyptian side Al Ahly have plummeted. Thousands of tickets on the official selling partner's website are now available for US$55.75 (€48.60) — which is 16% of the original asking price for the 65,000-capacity Hard Rock Stadium in Florida's Miami Gardens.
LA Galaxy are MLS champions but Messi's club Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, were controversially included in the CWC as the host nation's representative, despite losing in the first round of the MLS playoffs.
A single match hospitality ticket was yesterday priced at US$829 (€723), while standard tickets have dropped from US$347 (€302) to the US$55.75 (€48.60) price in line with FIFA's dynamic pricing system that allows for costs to rise and fall with demand. Tickets for Manchester City's opening fixture against Moroccan side Wydad in Philadelphia next Wednesday are now available from US$51 (€44). Tickets prices for the opening game of fellow English Premier League club Chelsea, which also has a large following across Ireland, is in Atlanta against Los Angeles FC on Monday are now available from US$77 (€67).
Fans of both City and eventual winners Chelsea accused football administrators UEFA of greed in 2021 when the clubs met in the Champions League Final in Portugal. They issued a joint statement to say: 'We stand together against the lies, greed, hypocrisy and deception of UEFA.'
City fan Gareth claimed today that the ongoing disruption in Los Angeles amid accusations at US president Donald Trump's 'authoritarian' administration is not the reason that is deterring supporters, according to fans. He said: 'The Club World Cup won't be taken seriously by any team. It's just an early pre-season and clubs are getting serious money from FIFA for taking part in it.
'I haven't heard of anyone going. I've not heard of any supporters' clubs here in Ireland going to it. I just think it's too much money for these games now. You're doing well just to buy a season ticket or a few away games.' He added: 'I don't think the riots would not put fans off going to LA. It's just that the tournament is not for them. It's too much that the club is asking fans to pay. The club has changed a lot over the last few years. It's hard to even get an email back off them now, compared to the days when they needed fans.'
The CWC sparked legal action threats from the European branch of players' union FIFPro against FIFA amid claims of too many matches for players in a congested fixture calendar. Organisers said ticket sales in more than 130 countries for the CWC, which is estimated to generate a total of US$2bn (€1.74m) in expected revenues, proves the tournament's popularity. FIFA bagged a US$1bn (€870m) worldwide TV rights deal with sports streaming platform DAZN which will broadcast all matches free-to-air.
The CWC opening match is the Group A clash between Al Ahly and Inter Miami at 1am Irish time on Sunday, with the final to be held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
an hour ago
- The 42
Lee Carsley's England U21s make perfect start to Euros defence
ENGLAND U21S started the defence of their European Championship title with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in Slovakia. Goals on either side of the break from Harvey Elliott and Jonathan Rowe had put Lee Carsley's side in control. Daniel Fila reduced the deficit in the 50th minute, before England defender Charlie Cresswell headed in a third from a corner with 15 minutes left. The Young Lions – who beat Spain two years ago to win the European title for a third time – had made a bright start in their opening Group B fixture at the MOL Arena in Dunajska Streda. Newcastle defender Tino Livramento made an early break down the left, with his ball in was palmed away by Czech goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek before captain James McAtee scuffed his shot wide. Ipswich winger Omari Hutchinson was also lively on the left flank, cutting inside to fire a rising shot which was tipped over. Advertisement The Czechs threatened in the 12th minute when Martin Suchomel sent a cross from the left through the England six-yard box, which Vaclav Sejk just failed to connect with. Brighton goalkeeper James Beadle then made a smart reaction save from Stepan Chaloupek's powerful header, pushing the ball over, after a free-kick was swung into the England penalty area. After soaking up plenty of pressure, England took the lead in the 38th minute. Hutchinson drove forward from the left before laying the ball out to Livramento. The defender's looping cross through the six-yard box was picked up at the back post by McAtee, who laid it back for Liverpool winger Elliott to fire a low shot into the far corner. The Czech Republic were almost straight back on level terms when a corner was flicked on by Krystof Danek and the ball bounced off England defender Jarell Quansah, but Beadle got down to make a save on the line. England — without the likes of Liam Delap and Jobe Bellingham, who will be at the Club World Cup — doubled their lead three minutes into the second half. Livramento's low cross was touched home at the near post by Monaco forward Rowe ahead of Czech defender Filip Prebsl, with the ball diverting in off goalkeeper Hornicek. The Czechs, though, soon pulled a goal back in the 50th minute when Fila got in front of Livramento to power a free header past Beadle from Sejk's lofted cross. England boss Carsley made an attacking double change with 20 minutes left, sending on Arsenal forward Ethan Nwaneri to replace Rowe and Birmingham's Jay Stansfield for McAtee. Nwaneri almost made an instant impact when he cut in from the right and curled a low strike goalwards, which was deflected past the far post. Toulouse centre-back Cresswell restored England's two-goal cushion with 15 minutes left when he showed great strength to get up and power down a header from Alex Scott's corner. Beadle then made another smart save from Czech substitute Adam Karabec in stoppage time. England next face Slovenia in Nitra on Sunday, with their last group fixture against Germany on 18 June.
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Dollar sinks to four-year low as euro surges
©Reuters Today at 21:30 The euro hit its highest level in almost four years against the dollar, as investors rushed into safe-haven assets while remaining cautious about the impact of the US-China trade deal. Analysts noted that the US dollar serves as a key barometer of trade talks sentiment, while geopolitical instability prompted investors to buy safe-haven Swiss francs and yen.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Munster's Craig Casey to captain Ireland as Paul O'Connell names summer tour squad
Craig Casey will captain Ireland on this summer's two-Test tour to Georgia and Portugal, leading a 32-player squad containing 11 uncapped players. With 15 Ireland frontliners set to go on tour with Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions to Australia in July and August, and the retirements of recent Six Nations regulars and Test centurions Cian Healy, Conor Murray and Peter O'Mahony, this tour was always going to present an opportunity to bring fresh blood and add Test experience for squad regulars usually denied extensive gametime. Interim head coach Paul O'Connell, the only member of Farrell's coaching staff not tour with the Lions, named a touring party on Wednesday, will also be without a trio of experienced players unavailable with Robbie Henshaw ruled out due to injury and Ulster forwards Iain Henderson and Rob Herring not considered due to recent injuries. Ireland are set to play Georgia in Tbilisi on July 5 and Portugal a week later in Lisbon on July 12, with Munster scrum-half Casey set to become Ireland's 112th captain since 1875 as he returns to the national squad having missed the Six Nations with a knee injury. The uncapped players included six men who have had recent exposure to the Ireland camp - Tom Ahern, Michael Milne, Shayne Bolton, Nathan Doak, Ben Murphy and Tommy O'Brien – while Alex Kendellen, Darragh Murray, Paddy McCarthy, Stephen Smyth and Hugh Gavin have received first call-ups after impressing for their provinces and on Emerging Ireland duty earlier this season. The IRFU said the tour will provide the Ireland management with 'an invaluable opportunity to build squad depth and expose high-potential players to meaningful game time in a green jersey'. O'Connell has also named Ulster trio James McNabney, Jude Postlethwaite and Zac Ward as training panellists to link up with the squad at the IRFU High Performance Centre on Monday, June 23 for a nine-day training camp before the tourists depart Dublin for the Georgian capital on Wednesday, July 2. Looking forward to a sixth meeting between Ireland and Georgia, and a first Test against the 2023 World Cup participants Portugal, interim head coach O'Connell said: 'I'm delighted to announce the Ireland squad for the summer tour and I believe we have a strong blend of youth and experience for what will be a trip into relatively uncharted territories this July. 'Georgia have made great strides in recent years, and they have made a significant investment in their rugby programme which has established them amongst the leading emerging sides in international rugby. 'Under the experience of Richard Cockerill they have built on a traditionally strong forward unit with a talented backline and they will provide a tough test for us. Portugal showcased their attacking prowess during the Rugby World Cup 2023 and Simon Mannix is a coach I know having worked with him previously (at Munster). They play with confidence and we're expecting another tough test." O'Connell added: 'With 15 players away with The British & Irish Lions, this tour presents an opportunity for those on the fringes to impress the coaching team. A number of players have been really close to selection in recent times and it's important that everyone grasps the challenge that's ahead of them. 'Every moment on the training field and across the two-match series will count and there's a great opportunity for players to step up and impress. 'In welcoming the squad, I would like to congratulate Craig on his selection as captain. He is a real leader with a strong personality and it is a huge personal honour for him and an opportunity that I know he will relish over the coming weeks.' Connacht tighthead prop Finlay Bealham is the squad's most experienced player with 51 Ireland caps while there are 13 tour members with less than 10 caps in addition to the 11 uncapped. There will be first-choice internationals available to O'Connell though, not least at fly-half, where Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley will once again vie for the number 10 jersey alongside Ciaran Frawley, while at scrum-half, uncapped duo Nathan Doak and Ben Murphy have been given a chance to shine alongside captain Casey. With Henshaw injured and both Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose selected for the Lions tour, there is an opportunity to grow midfield experience. Stuart McCloskey and Jamie Osborne will lead the running for the starting centre partnership, though the latter could also start at full-back, while the uncapped Tommy O'Brien is perhaps the form pick from Leinster for a wing berth to rival Calvin Nash and Jacob Stockdale. There will be disappointments, not least for Munster centre Tom Farrell, who has enjoyed a stellar first season with the southern province having been released last summer by Connacht. Farrell finished the URC regular season campaign as the joint top try scorer and was the inaugural winner of the URC playmaker award having led the league in a number of statistical categories. Fixtures: Saturday, 5th July: Georgia v Ireland, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (kick off 9pm local time, 6pm Irish time). Saturday, 12th July: Portugal v Ireland, Estádio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon (kick off 7pm local, same Irish time). Squad: Forwards (18): Tom Ahern (Shannon/Munster), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht), Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster), Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster), Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Alex Kendellen (UCC/Munster), Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster), Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster), Michael Milne (UCD/Munster), Darragh Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht), Tom O'Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht), Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley/Leinster), Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Nick Timoney (Banbridge/Ulster). Backs (14): Shayne Bolton (Connacht), Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster, captain), Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster), Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster), Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht), Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster), Ben Murphy (Clontarf/Connacht), Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster), Jimmy O'Brien (Naas/Leinster), Tommy O'Brien (UCD/Leinster), Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster). Training Panellists: James McNabney (City of Armagh/Ulster), Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh/Ulster), Zac Ward (Ballynahinch/Ulster).
