sports
Mexican Fans Stage Street Celebrations as World Cup Ticket Prices Rise
High ticket prices have kept many residents from stadium seats during the FIFA World Cup hosted by Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. Large crowds have gathered instead around outdoor screens in public spaces across Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
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Mexican fans have turned to street gatherings to watch national-team matches after ticket prices placed most seats beyond reach. Screens set up in plazas, under highway overpasses, and at taco stands have drawn crowds that cheer each goal in working-class neighborhoods.
Ticket prices for the tournament ranged from $140 at the start of sales to as high as $32,970 for the final. The average monthly wage in Mexico is reported at $433, a figure cited by local observers when discussing access.
Tepito district placed televisions on plastic tables outside homes and shops before matches. Neighbors wearing team jerseys gathered around the screens, purchased drinks from nearby vendors, and remained in place through full games. Similar setups appeared in Guadalajara and Monterrey, where local governments and FIFA established free viewing areas.
One event in Mexico City’s central plaza drew more than 200,000 people.
Mexico’s president stated that FIFA should review its pricing structure. The organization’s president responded that comparable U.S. professional and college events charge at least $300 per ticket. A fiscal coordinator for Oxfam Mexico said the pricing model prioritizes maximum revenue and excludes many residents.
Fans interviewed at street screenings described the outdoor events as an alternative way to follow the matches.
