Fans in Portland are split over whether it is worth paying thousands of dollars to see the U.S. Men’s National Team face Belgium in Seattle. Some say the prices are out of reach, while others are determined to be in the stands no matter what.
Ticket listings for the World Cup match have climbed far beyond what many fans expected. On StubHub, the cheapest seats found were about $2,200, while the most expensive reached $13,000.
| Ticket Platform | Lowest Price Found | Highest Price Found |
|---|---|---|
| StubHub | About $2,200 | $13,000 |
| Ticketmaster | About $3,000 | $8,500 |
Ticketmaster prices for the same match ranged from about $3,000 to $8,500. For fans like Isabelle Chavez, that kind of cost is enough to send them to a sports bar instead.
What Fans Are Saying
“I think it’s absurd, it really should be that expensive to go support your team and to go have fun,” said fan Zein Alali. His friend won a $500 ticket in a lottery, which made the match more manageable for his group.
Others were much less fortunate. Chavez said the price would amount to “maybe two of my checks,” adding that she is not going to buy those tickets.
Samira Perez said fans should have been given some kind of discount, saying, “You would expect its citizens to get a discount, 20% or something.”
Fans Who Found a Way In
Not everyone watching the match is staying home. Gabriel Santacruz said he and his friends committed to going no matter what and pulled money from savings to make it happen.
Santacruz said they got their ticket for around $430, but seats in the same row are now selling for $3,200. He also said that about a month later, the same tickets had already climbed to about $1,000 before rising even more.
For fans who were priced out, the alternative is watching with their community at home, where the gathering itself becomes part of the experience. Perez said the atmosphere is still worth it, calling it “free 99” and saying she did not have to spend a dollar of her check.
Fans can watch Team USA take on Belgium in the World Cup on Monday, July 6, on FOX 12.
