New Delhi: In the American sporting scene, football or soccer is gaining tremendous traction and craze. The final between Argentina and Spain has gone on to become the most expensive sporting event in the US, with skyrocketing ticket resale prices.
For the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New York, the average purchase price sits at a staggering $11,327 (almost Rs 10,90,625). While the Super Bowl and the NBA have been consistently the most expensive sporting events, this is unlikely for football in the country.
The cheapest ticket for the World Cup final is available at $7,451 (Rs 7,17,423). The cheapest ticket on sale costs more than the monthly median US household income ($83,730 per year; $6,977 per month).
Going by most major metrics, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the most expensive tournament in the nearly century-long history of the game’s flagship event. For previous matches, the average ticket price was around $1,622. But, for the semifinals, the figure rose to $4,162.
Apart from the game’s commercial success, the World Cup also marks a turning point for football in America. For a sport long overshadowed by domestic leagues, the Argentina-Spain clash, pitting Lionel Messi’s experience against Lamine Yamal’s brilliance, symbolises the growth of football in the American sporting scene.
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‘I still follow Barcelona’
The staggering prices will allow one to witness Messi, or “the GOAT” as he is often called by fans, in person. The Argentinian footballer is set to face Spain’s rising star, Lamine Yamal. Be it the picture of Messi bathing baby Yamal or a Barcelona heavy Spanish squad playing against a legend, the match promises many unforgettable moments.
“I know many, many players in Spain. Many of them play for Barcelona. Barca (Barcelona) is the team I adore, and I still follow them,” said Messi during a press conference earlier this week.
While Spain aims to claim its second title, Argentina seeks to defend its crown on Monday’s final. Irrespective of the outcome, the match cements football’s place in the American sporting consciousness.