Fed-up Scotland fans have called on John Swinney to condemn the scandalously high ticket prices at the 2026 World Cup in North America. Scotland will take on Haiti in their opening game in Boston on June 14 where the price of an average brief has risen to $333.
The surcharge comes due to FIFA’s introduction of the notorious dynamic pricing system, which means ticket costs surge when demand rises. Football’s governing body is ultimately responsible for setting prices and faces a growing backlash from supporters around the world who are enraged at what they view as blatant profiteering, reports The Daily Record.
Some of the Tartan Army have even written directly to the First Minister asking if there is anything the Government can do over the escalating ticket costs in the wake of the price rise.
This week FIFA raised its top ticket price for the World Cup final to $10,990 (£8,250). The price for a category one ticket had been $8,680 after the tournament draw in December. It’s believed to be the most expensive ticket for a sports event ever sold by an official organiser.
One die-hard fan wrote to Swinney to explain he had cheered on Scotland at the 1982 and 1990 World Cups but could not afford to attend this year’s tournament with his wife.
In correspondence released via a Freedom of Information request, the fan said: “I expected the World Cup in North America to be open season for ripping off fans and I see nothing to change my mind.
“I received an email from a ticket agency I used a few years back offering me tickets for all the Scotland games. The prices ranged from £1,202 to £1,300. At those prices, it would cost my wife and I £8,000 for three games before we even get there.
“This is not football for the fans, it’s clearly profiteering, and something must be done to stamp it out.”
The fan’s letter concluded: “I hope for some sort of reply, if only for your thoughts on what can be done, or maybe you agree with the system?”
In a response to the Scotland supporter, a civil servant wrote: “We are aware of the prices of tickets for the World Cup, including the dynamic pricing structure which FIFA have put in place, and the impact this will have on supporters wanting to travel to support Scotland.
“Unfortunately, the pricing structure is owned and managed by FIFA and the Scottish Government has no locus to intervene.”
They added: “I am sorry that you are not able to travel to the USA to watch Scotland as you did in Spain and Italy, but I do hope you will be able enjoy the watching matches from home, despite the late kick-off times.”
Another fan wrote to the First Minister that the match against Haiti provided an opportunity to “bring to Boston a Scotland not seen since Kirkcaldy legend Adam Smith”.
In a response, a civil servant wrote the “Scottish Government is already working with both domestic and international partners to ensure we make the absolute most of this remarkable achievement”.
The Association of Tartan Army Clubs previously condemned the prices as “disgraceful and disgusting”.
A Football Supporters’ Association spokesman said: “Fifa’s ridiculous ticket pricing and opaque policies have led many fans to conclude they simply can’t afford to attend football’s greatest global event. This is the most expensive World Cup in history for travelling supporters, from match tickets to travel and accommodation. It isn’t just an issue for English fans, but for those across the planet.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are aware that many Scotland supporters are facing rising costs for flights, hotels and from the dynamic pricing in place for some World Cup tickets.
“FIFA, flight operators and accommodation owners are responsible for pricing structures and we have no locus to intervene. We would, however, urge them to consider the Scotland fans’ desires to travel to the World Cup.
“Scotland will co-host the UEFA 2028 European Championships and we welcome the fact that dynamic pricing will not be used by organisers, with 40 per cent of tickets being made available in the most affordable categories.”