Italian fans in a pub react to their team failing to qualify for the World Cup.
TIZIANA FABI / AFP via Getty Images
Tickets for the World Cup were up to seven times as expensive as organizers first said, and compared to previous tournaments.Business Insider analyzed ticket prices, economic data, transit fares, and other travel costs to create five charts that show how expensive it is to attend the World Cup.It's the first time the US has hosted the world's biggest sporting event since 1994 — and the five-week tournament is already halfway through.For this year's ticket prices, we looked at those sold by FIFA in April, which was its first general-admission open sale, called the "Last-Minute Sales Phase."
Some lucky fans could buy tickets earlier through three lottery draws. From December, they were also available through a participating members' association, or PMA — the governing body for soccer in each of the countries and territories that qualified for the tournament.The eligibility criteria were set by the PMAs. This varied, but you typically had to be a loyal supporter who already attended several games. The prices were set by FIFA.World Cup tickets are sold in four categories based on the seat's location in the stadium.
