Sky-high prices for the World Cup: Benifei (PD) calls on the EU to “protect consumers”

Brussels – With less than three months to go before the start of the 2026 World Cup in the United States and Mexico, FIFA’s use of dynamic pricing systems is causing “serious concern”, with extremely high and unpredictable prices “that risk excluding many fans.” This is the warning issued by Brando Benifei, a Member of the European Parliament for the Democratic Party, in a written question to the European Commission, in which, together with other members from various political groups, he calls for “clarification on the possible abuse of a dominant position by FIFA.”

The flaws in ticket sales systems for major events, whether concerts or sporting events, have long been known. In November 2024, Benifei, a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), had criticised “Ticketmaster’s opaque use of dynamic pricing for concerts.” With the World Cup just around the corner, the Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, has launched a petition calling for fairer sales practices. On 24 March, Euroconsumers and Football Supporters Europe submitted a complaint to the European Commission, pointing to unfair and non-transparent practices.

“The institutions must use now all existing legal instruments to protect our consumers and prepare to fill the existing loopholes,” Benifei said in a statement, emphasising the “need for stronger regulatory action in view of the upcoming Digital Fairness Act.”