The World Cup is out of reach for many. The hope lies outside the stadiums | Leander Schaerlaeckens

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OrbitByte

The world of football has become increasingly exclusive and inaccessible to many fans around the globe. The high ticket prices for the World Cup have become a major deterrent, pricing out ordinary people from attending the tournament. This raises questions about the very essence of what it means to be part of the World Cup experience.

For some, the excitement lies not in the stadium itself but in the surrounding communities and public spaces where fans gather to watch matches on large screens or share their passion with others. In Germany, for example, fans would congregate in town squares, riverside parks, and even people's garages to cheer on their teams.

However, it seems that this grassroots enthusiasm is not enough to sustain the tournament outside of the stadiums. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar lacked the usual energy and excitement of spontaneous gatherings due to a lack of accessibility and affordability for many fans.

The upcoming World Cup offers an opportunity for a different kind of experience – one that goes beyond the confines of the stadium and caters to a broader audience. With the involvement of teams training in various locations across the United States, pre-tournament friendlies, and fan fests, there is a chance to make the tournament more inclusive.

From open training sessions to public viewing parties, the World Cup can transcend its commercialized image and become an event that everyone can participate in. The "Road to '26" series, which pits teams against each other on the East Coast, offers a unique opportunity for fans from different regions to come together and cheer on their favorite teams.

While tickets may be priced out of reach for many, affordable options are being explored. Fan fests, which have long been a staple of World Cup celebrations, will be held in various cities across the United States, with some events free of charge. This could provide an opportunity for fans who cannot afford to attend the main event to still experience the excitement and camaraderie of the tournament.

As FIFA grapples with the issue of accessibility and affordability, it is clear that there are alternatives being explored to make the World Cup more inclusive. While some may lament the loss of exclusivity and commercialism, others will be thrilled by the prospect of a tournament that caters to a broader audience.

With creativity and innovation on display, the World Cup can once again become an event for everyone – not just those who have the means to purchase expensive tickets.
 
The World Cup needs to find a balance between accessibility and commercialism 🌎💸. It's cool that they're exploring ways to make fan fests free or affordable, but we need more than just one-off events. What if they made viewing parties in public spaces a regular thing? Like, every city has a big screen showing the match, and people can gather around to watch with friends... it could be really special 😊. And yeah, open training sessions are a great idea too! Teams should play friendlies in different cities so fans can see their heroes in action 🏈. Let's make the World Cup for everyone, not just those who can shell out a fortune 💖.
 
I think its crazy how ticket prices are pricing out regular folks from attending the World Cup 🤯. I mean, we're already seeing fans gathering in public spaces to watch matches on big screens or share their passion with others, but it's like that's not enough. They need to be inside the stadium to experience the "real" thing? Give me a break! 😂

I think its awesome that FIFA is exploring alternative options, like open training sessions and fan fests in cities across the US 🎉. It could really help bring people together and make the tournament more accessible to everyone. And if they can figure out ways to make it affordable for fans who can't afford the fancy tickets, that would be a major win 👏.

I'd love to see some of those pre-tournament friendlies being held in smaller towns or cities where you don't usually get huge international matches 🎈. It could help build up some excitement and anticipation before the big event. And who knows, it might even create some new traditions or cultural moments that are unique to each city 🌆.
 
I don't usually comment but I'm so tired of how pricey everything is when it comes to the world cup 🤯. I mean, I get that some teams are going to be able to splurge on fancy suites and whatnot, but for everyone else, it's like they're trying to price out the fans who actually care about the game. Like, can't we just watch a match on our phone in a public park or something? It doesn't have to be some super commercialized, exclusive experience.

And I love that FIFA is starting to explore alternative options for fans who can't afford tickets 🤝. Fan fests and public viewing parties are always a blast, but it's not just about those events - I think what's missing is just more community spaces where people can gather to watch games without breaking the bank.

I'm all for making the world cup more inclusive, but let's be real, it's not just about accessibility - it's also about affordability 🤑. Like, how are we supposed to feel like we're part of something if we can't even afford a ticket? I guess that's why this new "Road to '26" series is so exciting - it feels like FIFA is finally listening to fans and trying to find ways to make the tournament more available to everyone.

I don't know, maybe I'm just biased because I'm not super into fancy stadiums and all that jazz 😂. But seriously, if we can make the world cup feel like a global event again - one where everyone can participate, regardless of their financial situation - that would be amazing 🌎.
 
the thing is, when something becomes too exclusive, it's like we're missing out on the real experience 🤔. fans aren't just about cheering in the stadium, they're about the community and the shared passion that comes with it. by making the tournament more accessible and affordable, we're not losing the essence of what it means to be part of the World Cup experience, we're just expanding it to include more people 🌎. and let's be real, who doesn't love a good public viewing party or fan fest? it's all about finding that balance between excitement and inclusivity, you know? 👍
 
I mean, come on 🤷‍♂️, it's about time FIFA figured out that there's more to the World Cup than just lining the pockets of rich fans and sponsors. I'm all for a bit of glamour and prestige, but not at the expense of the everyday fan who just wants to cheer on their team with some mates 🍺👊.

Fan fests and open training sessions are a great start, and it's awesome that some events are even free 🎉. But let's be real, affordability is still a major issue for many, so we need to see some serious price drops or alternative options that don't break the bank 💸.

And can we please ditch the "commercialized image" thing? It's all about making the World Cup inclusive and accessible – not just some watered-down, corporate-sponsored mess 🤣. If it brings people together and gets them excited about the beautiful game, then I'm all for it! 👏
 
I'm low-key worried about the state of football fandom 🤔. Those prices are just crazy! I remember when watching football was all about gathering with friends and family, sharing snacks and drinks while cheering on your team 🔥. Nowadays it feels like only the well-off can experience that magic 😢. But here's a glimmer of hope - it seems like FIFA is trying to mix things up 🔄. Those fan fests in the States sound like a dream come true for fans who can't crack the code for stadium tickets 👍. It's all about finding new ways to bring people together, even if it's not in the same old stadium seats 🌳.
 
I'm so done with FIFA making the World Cup some kinda super elitist thing 🤦‍♂️. Like, what's up with the prices?! You gotta be a millionaire or somethin' to get a ticket now 😒. I remember when it was all about the fanfest vibes in Germany - people gatherin' in town squares and stuff, watchin' matches on big screens, just havin' fun 🏙️. That's what the World Cup should be about, not just about makin' a buncha cash 💸.

And yeah, I'm so down for all these new events they're throwin' out there - open trainin' sessions, public viewin' parties... it's like, FIFA's finally listenin' to the fans 🙌. And free events? That's just straight fire 🔥. I hope more cities are doin' that, so everyone can feel included. The "Road to '26" series sounds hella fun too 🎉 - who doesn't love watchin' soccer with their peeps in some new city?

I'm not sayin' commercialization's a bad thing or anythin', but if you're gonna do it, at least try to make it more accessible, ya know? 😊
 
I'm low-key loving the idea of making the World Cup more inclusive 🤩. It's crazy that a global event like this has to be so commercialized and exclusive. I mean, who needs that kind of energy-sucking ticket prices? 🤑 The grassroots enthusiasm in Germany is definitely something we can learn from - fans gathering in public spaces to watch matches and cheer on their teams is the way forward! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

And I love that FIFA is exploring new ways to make the tournament more accessible. Fan fests in cities across the US are a great start, especially if they're free or low-cost 🎉. It's about time we see a change from this exclusive, expensive-to-attend model. The "Road to '26" series sounds like an awesome way for fans to come together and cheer on their teams, regardless of where they're from 🌟.

Let's hope FIFA can balance commercial interests with the needs of fans who just want to enjoy the beautiful game 😊. A more inclusive World Cup could be a real game-changer (no pun intended 🏀)!
 
I'm so over the price tags at these tournaments 🤑. I mean, it's the World Cup, right? It should be about the fans, not just the rich folks with deep pockets. These fan fests and viewing parties sound like a great way to bring people together and make the experience more accessible. And I love that some events are even free! 🎉 It's about time we made this tournament inclusive for everyone. The teams going on pre-tournament friendlies in the US is also a cool idea - can't wait to see the matches being played out of town.
 
I'm so down for this change 🤩! It's about time we make the World Cup more accessible to people from all walks of life. Those fan fests in the US sounds like a great idea - free events? Yes, please! 🎉 I'd love to see some creative solutions around ticket prices too, maybe some lower-tier options for fans who can't splurge on the fancy seats.

And have you seen those public viewing parties they're setting up in town squares and parks? Genius move 😊. It's all about creating a sense of community and shared experience that goes beyond just the stadium. I mean, let's be real, most of us aren't millionaires who can afford to shell out thousands for tickets 🤑.

The "Road to '26" series is a great idea too - it's all about bringing people together and making the tournament feel more inclusive. And with the teams training in different locations across the US, we might just see some new fans discovering their favorite teams 🤝.

Let's hope FIFA gets on board with this change of heart and makes the World Cup an event for everyone, not just those who can afford to splurge 💖
 
🏆 I'm low-key thinking it's about time we ditched the whole stadium-only approach already! 🤯 The fan fests and public viewing parties sound like a total game-changer, though. I mean, can you imagine watching a match with your friends at a beach or park? It'll be so much more chill than trying to score tickets that are out of your budget 🤑. And have you seen those trainings on the East Coast? That's some next-level fan engagement right there 🚂! The only thing I'd love to see is some more affordable options for the big games, maybe a tiered pricing system or something... but overall, this feels like a step in the right direction 😊.
 
I'm so down with this idea of making the World Cup more inclusive 🤝! I mean, it's all about fan experiences right? Like, let's make sure that everyone can join in on the fun, whether they're cheering from their living room or hanging out at a public viewing party 📺. And I love how FIFA is exploring affordable options like fan fests – that's gonna be lit for fans who can't afford the main event 🎉!
 
I think it's cool how FIFA is trying to make the World Cup more accessible 🤝. I mean, we all love our football, but it should be for everyone, you know? The grassroots vibes are what really make the experience special – gathering with friends and family in public spaces to cheer on your team. It's not just about the stadium, it's about the community too 💖.

I love that they're having open training sessions and fan fests across the US 🏈. That way, people from different regions can come together and show their support. And I'm all for exploring affordable options – a free event here and there isn't gonna hurt anyone 🤗. It's about making the World Cup feel more inclusive, not just for those who can splurge on tickets.

I think it's time to rethink what makes the World Cup "cool" 🤔. Is it just about the ticket price or is it about the passion and excitement of the fans? Let's make it a celebration of football as a whole – everyone should be able to participate in that! 💪
 
Wow 🤩 the way they're thinking outside the box now is interesting. I mean, fan fests in cities across the US? That's a great idea 😊. It's all about finding ways to make it accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford the fancy ticket prices 💸. And with the teams training and playing friendlies, it's like they're saying "come on down" to the fans 🎉. Let's see if they actually follow through on this idea... 👀
 
I'm all for making the World Cup more inclusive 🤝, but I do think we need to be realistic about what that looks like in practice. We've seen some great initiatives with fan fests and open training sessions, but let's not forget that these are still ticketed events with limited spots available. That being said, if they can make the pre-tournament friendlies and public viewing parties super accessible (and affordable 😊), I'm all for it! A "Road to '26" series could be a game-changer in bringing people together from different regions. The key is finding that balance between making the tournament more inclusive and maintaining some level of exclusivity, you know?
 
😒 I'm not sure about this "Road to '26" series thing... how do they plan to make it affordable? Just gonna be another way to charge us fans extra $$$ for a fancy pre-tournament event 🤑. And what's with these fan fests being held in the US? Don't we have our own football culture here that can host similar events? 🤔 I need some actual data on ticket prices and attendance figures to see if this new approach is really making a difference... sources, pls! 📊
 
I think it's great that FIFA is exploring ways to make the World Cup more inclusive 🤩. I mean, let's be real, high ticket prices are a major bummer for fans who can't afford them 💸. But at the same time, I'm not sure if these alternative events like fan fests and public viewing parties will really reach the masses 🤔. I mean, only some people would bother traveling to watch a friendly match or attend a public viewing party, you know?

Still, it's worth a shot, right? And who knows, maybe these efforts will make the World Cup feel more like a community thing again 🌎. Like in Germany, where fans just hang out in town squares and parks, watching matches on big screens 👥. That sounds way more awesome than stuck-in-a-stadium situation 😴.

I'm not sure if we'll ever see those prices drop to a reasonable level 💸, but even if they don't, I think this new direction is still gonna be a step in the right direction 🚶‍♂️. We gotta make soccer more accessible to everyone, you feel? 👍
 
i feel like we're losing touch with what makes the world cup special - it's not just about being in the stadium 🏟️, but about being part of a community that comes together to cheer on their team. i remember watching the euro 2012 final in london with my mates and having a blast in the streets, watching it on big screens everywhere 📺. that was what made it so special - the energy and excitement weren't just limited to those who could afford tickets. now, with all these fan fests and viewing parties, i think we might be getting closer to recreating that magic for everyone 🌈.
 
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