Going to North America '26: tickets, accommodations, etc. (non-politics)

Guess our source was a little off. I’m sure it’s more complex then we know about, so I’ll give some slack.

 

For sure. But they said we'd have this end of April, no? Now it's basically going to be when the tournament starts... or even a few days before the games, it seems like. Sounds like it's out of their hands, though, although I'm sure they could be lobbying FIFA more.

 

Not US Soccer's fault tbf. FIFA is giving everyone the run-around here. From some conversations I've been having, even higher-ups at tier 1 sponsors are being left in the dark and getting frustrated with FIFA's antics.

 

Good question. I think there is a scale from Great/remarkable success through Success to Average, Failure and Massive/remarkable Failure.

1994 was a great success compared to 1990, which was the first World Cup I remember well. In Italy, as had been common at World Cups previously, there had been plenty of unsold tickets. 94 was arguably the beginning of the modern era of tournament football. Huge crowds in a country that no-one thought of as a football/soccer nation. That was a great success and it was positive for the image of the USA as well as football in general.

Now selling out almost all the tickets is average. That is the expected baseline. Maybe a few matches not quite sold out but otherwise packed. This tournament is bloated with extra matches. Therefore instead of 2 or 3 not sold out 10 or a dozen would be average. Selling everything in this larger tournament would be a success. This is a tournament on a vast scale equivalent to playing it across Western Europe or South America. If there are banks of empty seats at some matches then that is a remarkable failure that would reflect badly on FIFA. I think it would in part be caused by the tournament expansion and increase in "dregs" matches as well as tickets prices.

If the football is great then even a large numbers of unsold seats early on will become irrelevant by the later stages. There is still plenty of time for FIFA to sell the remaining tickets if they chase the market down as quickly as they chased it up.

 

Sales THAT bad?

 

Swedish FA sent out info this morning that all tickets should land in the app "within the next few days" although my feeling is they do not know this for sure.

 

good to hear. I guess it's only the euros scared to travel to "oh so scary USA".

 

few days is more than 1 day.

 

I noticed that for some low-demand matches (20, 44, 55, 65, 69, 72), the "Front" seats now cost the same as regular seats (in that category) - no more 2x surcharge. I also noticed for some of those matches they have added a bunch of sideline seats in the lower bowl - no doubt Hospitality seats that didn't sell.

 

Looks like FIFA is to blame. But who can be certain!

 

I do think so but shouldn't US Soccer be able to lobby FIFA more?

 

I don’t think any fed has too much pull with fifa.

 

True, but given it's one of the three organizing feds...

 

Coldplay never have dull 0-0 ties either. Or concerts where both teams have already qualified for the knockout rounds.

 

debatable

 

In case anyone is still thinking about paying for the $80 train to Metlife Stadium - just don't. Literally every summer when it's hot there are delays..a tail as old as time.

https://www.reddit.com/r/NJTransit/comments/1ti0lf9/complete_shitshow_evening_commute_today_delays/

 

They were seriously trying to charge $150 for this garbage service.

 

It's $80 now? Last I heard it was $98?

 

You’re right, it’s $98. I think $80 was the original bus price (now it’s $20).

 

I am pretty surprised that the buses, for at least the earlier times, have not already sold out. Its cheaper, a lot easier and less stressful (I hope) than the train.

 

I know we are aware of the lack of Hotel bookings but this puts a little more meat on the bone and once again highlights the total arrogance and contempt that FIFA hold anyone in except themselves...https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9q34pxv79eo

 

Going to expect a rise in the sale of Match 15, 39, 63 even if temporary.

After an article in the Athletic about restricting any slogans or flags to official ones for Iran games, FIFA may have launched a terrible Streisand effect that will increase demand for the Iran games.

A lot of Iranians who were boycotting are apparently now interested in buying tickets


Security measures might mean having to show up much earlier to those games especially in LA.

Been to the World Cup in Brazil and Russia and I dont remember security taking more than an hour max

 

I work for CSC security in LA. They have the contract at Sofi. Those guys won’t care; trust me; the flag will fly during the games. But do arrive early as a precaution.

 

TSA Wait times

One to keep an eye on when flying in the USA.

TSA Wait Times Dashboard

 

I have a 6:45 am flight out of IAH after a potential R16 game and I am not mega thrilled about it lol