As the FIFA World Cup draws closer, ticket prices are skyrocketing across the globe—but in Atlanta, one NFL owner is bucking the trend. Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons and the stadium that's temporarily shed its name for the tournament, is holding firm on "fan-friendly" pricing for the eight matches set to be played at his venue.
In a recent interview with WSB-TV, Blank made it clear that the low-cost concessions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium—soon to be known simply as the World Cup venue—aren't going anywhere. "Fans give us their energy, their time, their passion, their resources, their families," Blank said. "We need to honor that in the truest sense of the word, whatever we can."
It's a refreshing stance in a tournament landscape that's increasingly defined by eye-watering prices. Just this week, FIFA tripled the cost of remaining tickets for the July 19 final, with seats going for as much as $32,970 each—and that's before they hit the resale market. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the pricing as a reflection of market demand, especially since the organization takes a 30% cut (15% from buyer and 15% from seller) on every ticket resold through its exclusive platform.
The pricing controversy has even reached the White House. President Donald Trump was informed that tickets to the U.S. opening match against Paraguay start at $1,000. "I did not know that number," Trump told the New York Post. "I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you."
And that $1,000 figure? It's just the beginning. On FIFA's official resale platform, tickets to the final have been listed as high as $11,499,998.85. If that ticket sells, FIFA would pocket nearly $3.5 million from that single transaction alone.
Yes, the market is the market—everything is worth whatever someone will pay. But as prices reach increasingly obscene levels, Blank's commitment to keeping the game accessible for everyday fans is a welcome reminder that sports, at their heart, are about community, not just commerce.