Australian football fans paid shocking prices of up to US$2,000 to see the Socceroos vs Argentina game in Beijing
Australian football fans are in for shocking prizes as they watch the Socceroos take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Beijing. The average seat is $900 — and it gets a lot worse from there
- The Socceroos play Argentina on June 15 in Beijing
- The tickets won’t be cheap, with some reportedly costing $2,000 a piece
- The last time the footballing nations met was at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
Football fans who want to watch the Socceroos play Argentina in China next month will probably have to pay exorbitant prices for this sporting experience.
Superstar Lionel Messi, midfielder Alexis MacAllister and goalkeeper sensation Emiliano Martínez were called up to the La Albiceleste squad this week ahead of the friendly on June 15 at the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing.
But a quick look at the very high prices shows why many Socceroos fans living in Asia will likely be watching the game from home or at a local bar.
According to Chinese sports expert Mark Dreyer, good half-way tickets can cost up to $2,000 per person, with average seats around $900, and the “nosebleed”-like positions away from the action are still at least 150-200 US dollars lie.
“These prices are MUCH higher than the usual sporting events in China,” says Dreyer tweeted.
Football fans who want to catch the Socceroos’ game against Argentina in Beijing next month will have to shell out staggering prizes (pictured: Lionel Messi after scoring against Australia at Qatar 2022 World Cup).
Tickets to the recently renovated Beijing Workers’ Stadium won’t come cheap, with some costing as much as $2,000 per person
‘It [Argentina versus the Socceroos] is priced like a top concert, which has always been expensive here.’
The official sale of tickets starts on June 1st. Given Messi’s global presence and Argentina being the current world champions, organizers are confident that a healthy crowd will flock despite the high prices.
The friendly will also be the sides’ first meeting since their memorable round of 16 World Cup tie at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium last December, when Argentina clinched a 2-1 victory.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said the game against Argentina reflected the Socceroos’ place in world football.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said the game against Argentina reflected the Socceroos’ current position in world football (pictured: defender Harry Souttar).
Mark Dreyer, an expert on esports in China, expressed his shock at the pricing in a Twitter post
“For Australia to be invited to play this game in China, against the world number one, is fantastic,” he said.
“It’s been 15 years since our senior team played in China and we’re really looking forward to playing Argentina again in Beijing.”
The price shock for the game against Argentina came after Matildas fans complained about the process of buying tickets for the team’s game at the Women’s World Cup.
Supporters complained that FIFA’s procedures surrounding ticket allocation resulted in fans who got in early by purchasing pre-sale tickets, in some cases at a higher cost, being pushed to seats further from the pitch.
Some fans claimed they would not have bought tickets had they known their prospects could have worsened.