The FIFA subsequently put something cheaper tickets on sale for the KOH round of the club World Cup-for the fans of FC Bayern with a catch: Because if you had previously bought the expensive cards, you will sit on high cancellation fees when you switch.
Bayern Munich had sold his fans the tickets for his potential co-games in December. At that time there were two categories for the games:
- The “cheap” category: The four KO games should cost a total of $ 1,773 (currently 1,720 euros*). 892 dollars (865 euros) accounted for the final.
- The expensive category: 3,936 US dollars (3,816 euros) were due for the four KO games, the final cost $ 2,230 (2,162 euros).
The cards were initially able to book the fans through FC Bayern as an option. You will only receive these tickets if the club also reaches the respective round. They had to be paid anyway.
The Bavarians then had supposedly good news for their fans: The club wrote its fans on January 31 that FIFA made 500 cheaper cards available in every KO game. The final now exists, for example, for $ 300 (290 euros) instead of $ 892 (865 euros) or $ 2,230 (2,162 euros). There should also be cheaper cards in the other Ko-rounds than before. If you get a cheaper card, you can cancel the expensive tickets. What sounded at least a little better than before, had an expensive catch for the Bayern fans.
*All prices in euros refer to conversion courses from February 11, 2025
| Game | Cat. 1 | Cat. 2 | Cat.3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Auckland City | 107 | 45 | – |
Boca juniors | 161 | 76 | – |
Benfica | 107 | 45 | – |
Round of 16 | 214 | 76 | 50 |
Quarterfinals | 497 | 279 | 90 |
Semi -finals | 995 | 526 | 140 |
Final game | 2.230 | 892 | 300 |
Change to cheaper cards? Three -digit cancellation fees as a result
Because the FIFA raises a 10 percent cancellation fee when changing the cards. In the previously cheap category in the four games of the KO round for $ 1,773 (1,720 euros), fans remain on more than 170 euros cancellation fees. Fans only got the expensive category, with the ticket prices of a total of $ 3,936 (3,816 euros), even more than 380 euros cancellation fees are due to switch to the cheaper cards.
Bavarian fans bills when changing tickets for the club World Cup
The sports show have several invoices from Bayern fans. In one case, the cancellation of an order of three final cards for $ 892 each (861 euros) led to a total price of $ 2,676 (2,582 euros) at a total fee of $ 267.60 (258 euros). Another fan ordered a card for eighth, quarter and semi-finals for a total of $ 881 (850 euros) and then wanted to switch to the cheaper tickets-$ 88.10 (85 euros) canceled.
One crucial point: These processing costs are also lost if Bayern should miss the respective co-rounds. Because the cards are the contingent of the respective club. In the event of a departure, the FIFA cancel the optional maps of the fans for the following rounds, the purchase is reversed. However, the costs for the fees are now incurred when changing from the expensive option cards, this money ends up regardless of the sporting outcome at FIFA.
Fan representative: “It’s a joke”
“FIFA sold us hot air”says Matthias Hentschel, chairman of Club No. 12, the umbrella organization of active Bayern fans. “Offering cheaper tickets was a step in the right direction, even if the cards are still too expensive. But it is a joke that these cancellation costs let a large part of the difference move back to FIFA.”
Matthias Hentschel from Club No. 12
Hentschel belongs to the circle of all -drivers – these are fans who absolutely want to see all the games of their club, whether in the Bundesliga, in the DFB Cup, the Champions League Or now at the club World Cup. “The costs for this tournament are very high anyway”says Hentschel. In addition to several weeks of free time, there is a lot of money on flights and accommodations in the USA, said Hentschel. Bayern complete the three group games in Cincinnati, Miami and Charlotte. Find semi -finals and finals in NEW Jersey instead of.
FIFA: “Want to ensure flexibility with return”
A request from the sports show, why processing fees are charged at this level and whether there may be plans to refrain from them, the FIFA did not comment on them. In the contractual terms when selling the tickets, a return option is pointed out to the fans “To ensure flexibility”as it says in the document. On the fee of 10 percent is pointed out in it. Technically, in the case of Bayern fans, the purchase of other tickets takes place after returning.
From FIFA’s point of view, a highly attractive product is also sold. “Anyone who buys a ticket will be part of the football history”said FIFA President Gianni Infantino According to the start of the sale of a press release from the World Association. “The fans of the 32 clubs involved have the opportunity to cheer on their team in big games against different opponents from near and far.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the start of sales of the tickets for the club World Cup
Currently, numerous tickets for all 63 games are still available in the FIFA ticket shop. FIFA recently rejected the fact that the introduction of the new cheaper category means a reduction in ticket prices due to a lack of interest.
FC Bayern: “FIFA did not meet our concerns”
The affected fans complained to FC Bayern. In a answer that the Sportschau is available, the Munich people write that the objections “In places understandable” be. The club addressed this at FIFA. “However, FIFA did not meet our concerns not to apply the processing costs (…)it says in the letter.
FIFA has promised the clubs high payments for their participation. The World Association must cover this with income, for example with the sale of transmission rights, sponsorship packages and tickets.
The FC Bayern logo at the club center in Munich
BVB fans spared a later sales date of a fee
In addition to FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund is also qualified from the Bundesliga. The BVB fans are also faced with the high ticket prices, but not with the cancellation fees. Background: Dortmund started sales, unlike Bayern, only on January 31. The FIFA had now introduced the somewhat cheaper category, and a cancellation is not necessary if in doubt.
As for FC Bayern, the following applies to BVB: If Dortmund does not reach the respective co-round, the optional tickets for the following rounds are automatically canceled by FIFA. This is also the result of the following costs: FIFA raise a fee of $ 10 per order (not per ticket) for this automatic cancellation, according to the BVB. Even if the fans have never been sold a real ticket for a game.
Club World Cup in many areas in the discussion
The club World Cup will be held for the first time with 32 teams in the USA in the summer of 2025. The tournament drew for a long time when marketing in sponsorship and transmission rights. Most recently, FIFA announced some sponsors and, with “DAZN”, found a media partner who was ready to pay around one billion US dollars for the broadcast rights of the two tournaments 2025 and 2029.
Together with Spain’s league, the European League Association and the International Gaming Union FIFPRO, the DFL is currently taking action against FIFA at the European Commission with a formal complaint. It is criticized in the fact that FIFA designs the calendar without inclusion of leagues and players. FIFA expressly rejects the allegations.