FSE and Euroconsumers ask European Commission to intervene over FIFA World Cup 2026 ticketing

Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and consumer group Euroconsumers have filed a formal complaint with the European Commission against FIFA over ticket sales for the 2026 men’s World Cup, arguing the governing body is using its control of the primary market to impose “excessive” prices and unfair purchasing conditions on fans in Europe.The complaint targets FIFA’s sales model for the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico, which begins on June 11 and runs until July 19, and asks the Commission to take interim action ahead of the next major sales window in April.Marco Scialdone, Euroconsumers’ head of litigation, said: “Football is a universal passion, but FIFA is treating it like a private luxury by exploiting its absolute monopoly over World Cup ticketing. By imposing opaque pricing, dark patterns to pressure buyers and exorbitant resale fees, FIFA is placing an unfair financial burden on millions of European fans.”FSE and Euroconsumers said they had identified six alleged abuses, led by what they described as historically high pricing levels compared with previous tournaments and FIFA’s own projections.They pointed to the cheapest openly available tickets for the final starting at US$4,185, and said FIFA’s bid documentation had projected an average ticket price of US$1,408.The organisations also criticised marketing around a US$60 group-stage entry price, arguing the availability of the lowest category was so limited that it amounted to “bait advertising” under EU consumer law.A further focus is the use of “variable” or dynamic pricing, with the groups claiming prices increased between sales phases without clear disclosure of how prices are set or whether any caps apply.They also said purchase terms leave fans spending significant sums without key information, citing uncertainty around seat locations, stadium maps and, in some cases, the teams involved at the point of purchase, alongside limited or no refund rights.The complaint also challenges what it described as pressure-selling tactics, including communications suggesting “exclusive” access and limited windows that, the groups argue, create artificial urgency.Resale terms are another central issue, with the groups claiming FIFA discourages independent resale platforms while directing fans to its own marketplace, where both buyers and sellers are charged a 15% fee.Ronan Evain, FSE’s executive director, said: “For several months now we have urged FIFA to do right by fans and reconsider its aggressive and exploitative ticketing policies. "FIFA’s failure to engage in meaningful consultation with stakeholders yet again has left us with no option but to join forces with Euroconsumers in filing this complaint with the European Commission."As remedies, the groups are urging the Commission to order FIFA to stop using dynamic pricing for tickets sold to fans in the European Economic Area for the remainder of the 2026 World Cup sales process, freeze prices for the April sales phase at the levels announced in December 2025, and publish inventory and precise seat locations at least 48 hours before the April window opens.The case adds to intensifying scrutiny of ticketing practices across major live events, with consumer bodies increasingly focusing on dynamic pricing, transparency requirements and the use of so-called “dark patterns” in online purchasing journeys.