The cheapest ticket for the group stage is priced at €61, while the most expensive one costs €194. For the round of 16, ticket prices range from €85 to €243. In the quarterfinals, tickets start at €182 and go up to €376. For the semifinals, the least expensive ticket is €291, and the most expensive is €844. The final match tickets range from €534 for the cheapest to €1,421 for the most expensive.
Get ready to see plenty of this in a couple of weeks 🤩🏆 pic.twitter.com/PWtA0y2DhE
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 1, 2022
According to Insider, ticket prices for the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar have risen by 46% compared to the 2018 final in Russia. However, the high cost of attending this year's World Cup is primarily due to the steep prices for accommodation and flights. Front Office Sports reports that fans from England and Wales may need to budget around €5,200 for tickets, flights, and accommodation if their teams reach the final.
The budget each fan needs to spend varies depending on their departure point, but it's universally acknowledged that this year's World Cup is the most expensive yet. This high expense was anticipated, given the significant investment by host nation Qatar to ensure the success of this quadrennial event. Statista and Front Office Sports estimate that Qatar has invested $220 billion to host the 2022 World Cup. According to CNBC, the Qatari government has spent approximately $229 billion on the tournament, which runs from November 20 to December 18. This is the highest expenditure in World Cup history, nearly five times the combined cost of all World Cups from 1990 to 2018, which totaled $48.63 billion.
Views of one of the World Cup fan villages in Doha, Qatar.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 9, 2022
A stay at Al Emadi costs over $200 per night 📸 pic.twitter.com/yh6QfIpcBZ
To put this in perspective, Russia spent $11.6 billion on the 2018 World Cup, Brazil spent $15 billion for the 2014 event, and South Africa spent $3.6 billion for the 2010 tournament. The scale of Qatar's investment is indeed staggering.
Unlike traditional football powerhouses, Qatar had extensive preparations to undertake for the 2022 World Cup, including the construction and renovation of eight stadiums, which reportedly cost between $6.5 billion and $10 billion. The Qatari government also invested heavily in supporting infrastructure, such as a metro network serving five of the eight stadiums, costing $36 billion. Additional expenditures included building hotels, upgrading telecommunications, enhancing security, expanding airports and road infrastructure, and developing other transportation systems.
At $220 billion, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is the most expensive in history. pic.twitter.com/ZT8dJCJCrm
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) November 13, 2022
Chosen to host the World Cup in 2010, Qatar has averaged an annual expenditure of $18.3 billion, equating to about 10% of its GDP, which was approximately $180 billion in 2022. This significant investment underscores Qatar's commitment to hosting the event. Some infrastructure projects aim to benefit Qatar's long-term development, while others have limited future economic impact. According to Sportico, parts of the World Cup stadiums are planned to be dismantled and relocated to reduce operational and maintenance costs, which would otherwise run into millions of dollars annually.
For FIFA, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has also been the most expensive. FIFA's operational costs for this edition have reached a record $1.7 billion, covering $326 million for the competition, $247 million for TV broadcast operations, and $207 million for labor costs. The increase in operational expenses has led to a higher prize pool for the tournament, with FIFA allocating $440 million, the highest in World Cup history. This is a $40 million increase from the 2018 edition, where the prize pool was $400 million, and a substantial rise from the $358 million allocated in 2014. Each team participating in the 2022 World Cup receives a $1.5 million participation fee. Teams eliminated in the group stage (positions 17 to 32) receive an additional $9 million, or approximately €8.2 million.
Countries that advance to the round of 16 or finish between 9th and 16th place will receive a prize of $13 million, which is approximately €11.8 million. The quarter-finalists, or those finishing 5th to 8th, will earn $17 million, about €15.5 million. The team in 4th place will take home $25 million, around €22.8 million. The 3rd place team will get $27 million, or roughly €24.6 million. The runner-up will receive $30 million, equivalent to €27.4 million. The winner of the 2022 World Cup will receive $42 million, approximately €38.3 million.
As for the expected profits from this year's World Cup, FIFA, which has invested heavily, aims for significant returns. Sportico reports that revenue from the 2022 World Cup is projected to reach $4.7 billion, with TV broadcasting rights alone contributing $2.6 billion. With operating costs of $1.7 billion, FIFA expects a net profit of $3 billion. FIFA plans to allocate around 10% of the World Cup revenue for their operational needs, while the remainder will be distributed to over 200 national football associations worldwide to support the development of the sport. If managed properly, this financial benefit could significantly advance football in each country.
Regarding the economic impact on host Qatar, financial projections suggest mixed results. Qatar anticipates 1.3 million visitors for the World Cup, hoping to generate $1.56 billion in revenue. However, this figure is optimistic and may be difficult to achieve. Qatar also expects geopolitical benefits, such as increased investment, tourism, and foreign trade. Yet, negative reports about alleged bribery, the oppressive kafala system, and human rights violations overshadow these potential gains. Additionally, high accommodation costs, limited entertainment options outside of matches, expensive licensing fees for broadcasting games in hotels and bars, and Qatar's hot climate have deterred many fans from attending in person.
Given the lower excitement and enthusiasm due to schedule changes and high travel costs for international fans, it remains uncertain if Qatar can meet its economic targets.
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