Arlington Sells Only 35%-50% of 700,000 World Cup Tickets as Prices Drop 24%

2 articles · Updated · Fort Worth Report · May 19

Only 35% to 50% of roughly 700,000 World Cup tickets in Arlington have been sold, city officials told the council, with the first five matches outperforming later games.
About 50% of elimination-match seats are still being held back by FIFA until participating teams are known, while Arlington's weakest hotel booking dates are for Round of 32 matches.
Hotel demand is also trailing expectations: 80% of surveyed hoteliers said bookings are below forecasts, and 65% to 70% blamed visa barriers and global tensions for weaker international travel.
Ticket prices have already softened. TicketData said Arlington group-stage prices fell 24% in 30 days, with June 30 and July 3 Round of 32 matches down 42%; the average get-in price is still $777.
Local tourism officials still expect match-day sellouts and near-full hotels, but the slowdown underscores broader concerns that high costs, flight prices and anti-US sentiment are damping World Cup demand.

With ticket prices plummeting, is the World Cup a bargain for fans or a bust for host cities?

Is Arlington's World Cup struggle a warning sign for America's future as a global event host?