“Too expensive”: Kazakhstan Football Federation comments on ticket prices

Tengrinews.kz – General Secretary of the Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF) David Loria has commented on the high ticket prices for Almaty club “Kairat’s” home games in the UEFA Champions League.

Speaking after a government meeting, Loria was asked whether he considered the prices — set by the club — reasonable. Ticket costs for “Kairat’s” home games started at 30,000 tenge and went up to 250,000 tenge.

“We expressed our position as the football federation — we think it was very expensive. But the club determines its own policy, and we currently have no leverage to influence its pricing decisions. Of course, we understand that the prices were high,” Loria said.

The former goalkeeper of Kazakhstan’s national team added that ticket pricing should take into account fan accessibility and interest in the sport.

“There are standard UEFA ticket rates. For instance, the away sector in Milan costs 7,000 tenge for our fans — that’s a fair price, and people will gladly go to watch football,” he noted.

For comparison, tickets for “Kairat’s” away match against “Inter Milan” start from €5 (around 3,100 tenge) — ten times cheaper than the lowest price for their home game in Almaty. Other price categories range from €8 to €14, with VIP tickets reaching €349 (about 217,000 tenge).

“Kairat,” making its debut in the Champions League main stage, has played three matches so far: a 1–4 loss to Portugal’s “Sporting,” a 0–5 defeat to “Real Madrid,” and a goalless draw with Cyprus’ “Pafos.” The team currently sits 34th in the standings with one point.

The next match will see the Almaty club face Italy’s “Inter Milan” on November 6 at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan.