Missouri Attorney General warns fans of World Cup ticket scams after team draws announced

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Attorney General Catherine Hanaway on Friday warned Missourians to be vigilant on where to purchase tickets after grouping announcements for the World Cup were announced in the morning.

Argentina, Germany and the Netherlands are set to compete in Kansas City in the FIFA Word Cup next summer.

Megan McConachie with Columbia Convention and Visitor Bureau said Missouri being chosen to host games is a major accomplishment for the Show Me State.

"The World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many fans and visitors. The worldwide enthusiasm for soccer is contagious, and we can't wait to welcome people from around the world and around our country to Missouri to experience what our destinations have to offer," she said.

Fans hoping to buy tickets directly through FIFA on Friday are being met with a message on the website stating sales are not yet open. According to FIFA, the next opportunity to apply for tickets begins during the Random Selection Draw, which runs Dec. 11-Jan. 13.

Despite that, several third-party websites are already listing tickets for sale. On StubHub and SeatGeek, nosebleed seats for U.S. World Cup matches are starting at about $700 per ticket, with prices climbing to nearly $1,500 for seats closer to the field.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is urging fans to be cautious.

“With the World Cup coming to Kansas City, excitement is high and unfortunately, so is the potential for fraud,” Hanaway said in the press release. “Missourians should be able to enjoy this once-in-a-generation event without fear of being deceived. My Office will hold accountable anyone who seeks to exploit our families, and we stand ready to assist anyone who encounters suspicious activity.”

Hanaway suggested:

• Buying tickets only from official sources: FIFA.com, the FIFA Resale Marketplace, or reputable, well-known platforms.
• Never share personal or financial information with unfamiliar websites or sellers.
• Use a credit card when buying online. Credit cards offer fraud protections that cash, checks, debit cards, and peer-to-peer apps like Cash App or Venmo do not.
• Make sure the website is secure. Look for “https://” at the start of the URL and a closed-lock symbol in the address bar before entering any payment information.
• Watch for counterfeit or altered tickets. Scammers may sell fake or duplicated digital tickets, so confirm the seller can verify authenticity or transfer the ticket through FIFA’s official ticketing system.
• Be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true. If a ticket is far below market value, it’s likely a scam.

Before purchasing from a reseller, call the Attorney General’s Consumer Complaint Hotline at 800-392-8222 or check the Better Business Bureau for complaints or warning signs.

There is some financial relief for buyers, the Missouri Department of Revenue said that all official World Cup ticket sales are exempt from sales tax.

“It’s not often that such purchases are untaxed, but Missouri is committed to making the FIFA World Cup a success in our state,” Director of Revenue Trish Vincent said in a press release. “This exemption applies to both state and local sales tax on all tickets sold to the games through FIFA, FIFA Marketplace or as part of Official FIFA World Cup Hospitality packages.”

According to FIFA’s socioeconomic impact analysis, the tournament could generate around 185,000 full-time jobs across the U.S. and provide an estimated $10.2 billion in labor income. The report also predicts that about 3.7 million local and international fans will travel to the American host cities, bringing an economic boost worth billions to industries such as hospitality, transportation, and retail.

Some fans are choosing to stay in Columbia. Chris Miller, president and head coach of AFC Columbia said he’s already planned to host friends traveling from Wales for the event.