FIFA has unveiled a World Cup revenue plan that leans heavily on blockchain-based ticketing, but the proposal is already drawing sharp criticism over its feasibility and potential cost to fans. The governing body's targets are ambitious — though exact figures haven't been disclosed — and the plan hinges on a technology that has yet to prove itself at this scale. Critics warn that tying ticket sales to volatile crypto assets could price out ordinary supporters and create logistical headaches.
The revenue targets
FIFA's internal projections call for a significant jump in World Cup revenue compared to previous tournaments. The blockchain ticketing component is central to that growth. The idea is to issue tickets as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or token-gated access, allowing FIFA to capture secondary-market sales and enforce royalty fees. But the numbers assume a level of adoption that doesn't exist yet. Even in 2024, when the World Cup last ran, blockchain ticketing was a niche experiment, not a mainstream solution.
The blockchain angle
Using blockchain for ticketing isn't new — several clubs and leagues have tried it, with mixed results. The technology promises transparency and fraud prevention, but it also introduces friction. Fans would need to set up wallets, understand gas fees, and navigate exchanges. For a global event that draws millions of casual attendees, that's a high barrier. FIFA hasn't said which blockchain it would use, or whether it would require a specific token. That uncertainty alone has raised eyebrows among event organizers and fan groups.
The risks
The biggest risk is pricing out fans. If tickets are tied to a volatile cryptocurrency, the effective price could swing wildly between the sale date and the match day. A fan who buys early might see the value of their ticket collapse — or spike, making resale chaotic. Market volatility could also hit FIFA's own revenue if it holds crypto on its books. The plan has drawn criticism from consumer advocacy groups who say it prioritizes speculative profit over accessibility. There's also the question of regulatory compliance: different countries have different rules on crypto, and a World Cup spans multiple jurisdictions.
FIFA is expected to release a detailed white paper on the ticketing system later this year. The next men's World Cup is in 2030, so there's time to refine the approach — but the clock is ticking. The governing body will need to address the viability concerns head-on, or risk alienating the very fans it relies on to fill stadiums. No decisions have been made on whether blockchain ticketing will be mandatory or optional, and no partners have been announced. For now, the plan remains a proposal — and a controversial one at that.
