Start navigating your local area for soccer bars, because that's the only way you'll be able to enjoy the 2014 World Cup. Despite protests, deaths, sex tourism and infrastructure concerns, ticket sales for the most prestigious tournament in international football are among the best selling ever.
Brazil Not Read to Host 2014 World Cup?
According to the Los Angeles Times, tickets for nearly two-thirds of the World Cup's matches were sold out just hours into the final online sales phase. Soccer enthusiasts will now have to turn to third-party markets—or even risk paying a mortgage—in order to obtain a seat at 44 of the 64 scheduled matches.
From an American perspective, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will be one of the most attended tournaments on foreign soil.
The United States is ranked No. 2 in terms of demand for tickets—second only to the native hosts. A statement from viagogo founder Eric Baker echoed that sentiment (h/t to the New York Post). "As the summer approaches, excitement is building around the World Cup and consequently we've seen a huge rise in demand for tickets from fans in the United States, where soccer is definitely a sport on the rise," Baker said.
In total, more than four million Americans are attempting to land in Brazil. A country struggling to be perceived as a footballing nation is experiencing a demand seven times that of 2010 and nearly three times that of Germany.
Don't, however, assume it's the Stars and Stripes they're looking to support.
According to viagogo, the demand for tickets to see the Mexican national team is higher in the United States than for matches featuring the U.S. men's national team.
Viagogo ticket exchange says 1) US has No. 2 demand among countries for WC tickets and 2) Demand higher in US for Mexico than for US games.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) April 14, 2014
That will come as a surprise to some, but it shouldn't. Especially with the rise of the Liga MX's popularity in the United States. In 2013, Univision Network's broadcast of the Apertura season out-delivered NBC's broadcast of the English Premier League by 37 percent. Even better, they also out-performed NBC by 43 percent among adults 18-49.
Civil unrest and coordinated protests have attempted to derail the 2014 World Cup, but to no avail. Much to the dismay of Brazilian natives, people are coming to attend the tournament, and they're coming in droves.
Will you be one of them? Tell us @SportsWN
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