Fifa has sold the rights to market corporate tickets at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups for $300-million to current partner Match Hospitality, which lost $50-million in its SA World Cup venture.
Fifa says it will also share Match’s profits on the deal, which covers Confederations Cup and Women’s World Cup tournaments from 2017-23.
The 2018 World Cup is in Russia, and Qatar hosts in 2022.
Match paid $240-million for hospitality rights to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and 2014 event in Brazil.
It acknowledged heavy losses in South Africa, reported to be almost $50-million, but predicted returning to profit in Brazil.
Match Hospitality is majority owned by Jaime and Enrique Byrom from Mexico, who have sold World Cup tickets since the 1980s.
Shareholders include Swiss marketing agency Infront. — Sapa-AP