World Cup Ticket Sales Open, Some Going For $1,600 Each

Sports fans are now able to buy tickets for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in November, and the best seats are running around $1,600 each. 

The least expensive tickets will start around $70 for international travelers and $11 for Qatari residents – the cheapest since Mexico had $3 seats.

Ticket sales, which run until Feb. 8, will be a significant contribution to the $20 billion economic boost anticipated from hosting. Qatar is hoping to attract more than 1.2 million visitors for the World Cup, though the pandemic could affect that goal. 

If all goes well, the tournament could be the first global sporting event since the pandemic began, as international fans are not allowed at the 2022 Beijing Olympics next month.

Even then, the country is already facing a few non-pandemic-related tourism issues.

• Qatar previously said 90,000 rooms will be available for the public via a website, but the country expects 850,000 overseas visitors to need rooms. It’ll also require a two-night hotel minimum for the group stages.
• The country has leased cruise ships to accommodate more guests.
• Threats of boycotts have started over reported human rights abuses in the country.

Qatar has eight stadiums in a 30-mile radius of Doha.

Preparations In Qatar

Despite the scarce accommodations, Qatar is reportedly spending $300 billion on building costs including a new stadium, metro station, and expanded airport — initiatives the government says it was already committed to.