JFF defends higher ticket prices for crucial WCQ match
Published:Tuesday | November 18, 2025 | 12:10 AMKaren Madden/Gleaner Writer
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is defending the increased ticket prices for today’s World Cup Qualifying match against Curaçao at the National Stadium.
Earlier qualifiers were priced at $10,000 for VIP, $7,000 for grandstand, and $2,000 for bleachers. But with Jamaica on the verge of securing automatic qualification to next summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the JFF has revamped its ticket structure.
Prices now stand at $25,000 for the new Skyline tier, $12,000 for VIP, $8,000 for Regular Grandstand, $4,000 for Premium Bleachers, and $2,000 for Regular Bleachers. Skyline, located at the top of the grandstand, includes catered service, a premium bar and complimentary parking. By Sunday, all Regular Grandstand tickets had sold out.
Despite criticism from fans about high prices, JFF President Michael Ricketts insisted the fees are fair. He argued that Jamaica remains among the most affordable venues in the Caribbean and that increased operating costs must be covered.
“If you audit within the Caribbean countries as it relates to the cost of getting into these games, we are the cheapest ... . The JFF is a business, so it’s quite reasonable to pay $2,000 to watch virtually the final of the World Cup Qualifiers.
“You pay $1,000 to watch a [Jamaica] Premier League game, so moving from $1,500 to $2,000, I don’t think it’s unreasonable,” he told The Gleaner.
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Federation’s website, tickets for last Thursday’s World Cup Qualifier against the Reggae Boyz at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain ranged from TT$250 to TT$450, or approximately J$6,000 to J$11,000.
The Premium Bleachers section, directly opposite the grandstand, will have designated gates and a complimentary drink. Ricketts argued that even with added amenities, prices have barely changed over nearly three decades.
“I am still saying, in 1997 the price was $1,500. In 1997, the price was $1,500 to go to the bleachers, so tell me if it’s not reasonable for almost 30 years later to pay $500 more? Let’s look at it that way, because there is no other item, there is no other commodity that would, in 30 years, increase by a very marginal percentage,” Ricketts argued.
The JFF president added that rising travel costs have also pressured the federation’s budget.
“When we go to the Caribbean countries, you know, we have to use a charter. The last one was US$125,000 (J$20 million) to charter to Trinidad, so these are the expenses that we face and we want to treat this like a business. We can’t afford to run the federation into the ground because of non-payment and being unable to meet our bills,” he said.
He urged fans to support the team as the Reggae Boyz chase another World Cup berth.
“Jamaica will have something to smile about ... and the JFF will be in good stead to support our clubs, parishes and Premier League teams,” he said.
For supporters in western Jamaica unable to travel to Kingston, the JFF has partnered with TVJ and CVM TV to air the match on large screens in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay; Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland; and Falmouth, Trelawny – areas heavily affected by Hurricane Melissa’s October 28 landfall.
Ricketts said the effort aims to lift spirits while the JFF, CONCACAF and FIFA coordinate disaster relief.
“CONCACAF has already committed to providing a container of relief items, and that is expected to reach the island around October 24. We have also established a task force to work with the FIFA Foundation in providing a list of the items that are urgently needed. FIFA will also assist us with the rehabilitation of infrastructure, such as the Montego Bay Sports Complex, Jarrett Park, and the Captain Horace Burrell Centre at UWI,” said Ricketts.