World Cup collector says fans being 'priced out'

An England football enthusiast who has collected more than 200 items of 1966 World Cup memorabilia over 40 years says "genuine fans" are being "priced out of the game".

Stephen Holt, who spent thousands of pounds buying items from England's only World Cup win, says the pricing system for the tournament is "getting to the point where it's no longer fair".

Holt, from Runnymede in Surrey, who hoped to go to his first World Cup in 2026, said: "Originally I was planning on trying to get over to the States to see it, but then when I started seeing the pricing I just couldn't do it."

Fifa said it was focused on ensuring fair access to fans and had group stage tickets starting at $60 (£44.56).

The world governing body's decision to adopt dynamic pricing had been criticised, with it being ordered to explain itself after the attorneys general of both New York and New Jersey officially launched an investigation into its practices.

The first open sale of tickets for the 2026 World Cup showed Fifa was charging up to $10,990 (£8,333) to be at the final.

Holt, 55, said: "I could have probably sold the collection to go over, but I think the collection would mean more to me."

Among the retired headteacher's collection is a ticket for the 1966 final, a World Cup Willie-themed cigar box, and a 60-year-old souvenir beer - which he plans to open if England bring the trophy home.

Speaking about the 1966 World Cup final ticket, the father-of-two said: "I'm sure the ticket worked out as something like the equivalent of just under £100 in today's prices."

Fifa, which explained it was a not-for-profit organisation, said ticket costs spanned a range of price points and categories to reflect market demand for each match.

Holt now shares his collection online and will be displaying his collection at a care home in Ashford in Kent for residents and local schoolchildren to see to mark the start of the World Cup.

"It's just something they can connect with, and also younger people can connect with them through that, and they can learn about the past and about the history," he said.

"It's wonderful to be able to share the collection with people and bring back memories, and help people that perhaps have dementia be able to relate to things."

Additional reporting from PA Media.

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Surrey on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.