FLASH
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FIFA has found another way to increase its revenue from the 2026 World Cup, as it is offering parking spaces near stadiums for $75 to $175 per day per car through an official website.
While Gianni Infantino is receiving harsh criticism for his... close embrace with Donald Trump, the FIFA president and the World Football Federation itself are blowing the whistle in their own way and continue to treat the 2026 World Cup (to be held in the USA, Canada, Mexico) as the new El Dorado of football.
Since last month, tickets for the matches have been on sale through a special platform (at record prices), but at the same time we also had the launch of FIFA's official parking platform, which is aimed at ticket holders and theoretically gives them easy access to stadium parking. Through it, the world football federation is commercializing another part of the tournament, following the model of major American leagues such as the NFL.
From $75 in groups to $175 in semifinals
Parking prices vary by stage and stadium. For Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City), Gillette Stadium (Massachusetts) and AT&T Stadium (Texas), the cost is $75 for the group stage and round of 32, $100 for the round of 16, $125 or $145 for the quarterfinals and up to $175 for the semifinals and minor final. In Philadelphia, parking costs $115 for the group stage and $145 for the round of 16. The platform will cover almost all 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, some locations, such as MetLife Stadium in New Jersey – where the final will be held – and Toronto’s stadium, are still listed as “under review.”
Limited spaces, increased revenue and… complaints. Parking spaces will be limited, as most of the space around the stadiums will be used for hospitality, security or commercial activities. Thus, FIFA is taking advantage of the reduced availability, turning the lack of parking into a new profit area.
Many fans have noticed that the cost of a parking permit exceeds the price of a Category 3 ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which cost $69. This is the first time that FIFA has made official parking permits available to the public separately from tickets. In 2025, during the Club World Cup, parking in Miami cost $40, while at MetLife it cost $65. Now, the same privilege costs several times more.
Despite the backlash, FIFA defends its commercial policy, arguing that the revenue is reinvested in the development of football worldwide. According to estimates, the federation is expected to earn more than $13 billion from the 2026 World Cup, which would make it the most profitable tournament in the history of world sports.
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