Ticket Prices Soar In ‘Black Market,’ As American Fans Invade Vancouver

From Gowon Akpodonor, Vancouver It is like the atmostphere in Porto Alegre, Brazil, last year, when the Super Eagles of Nigeria clashed with their Argentine counterparts in their second group match. But then, the invasion of Porto Alegre was made possible for the soccer crazy Argentines due to the closeness of their borders with Brazil.

For thousands of American soccer fans, no amount of money will be too much for them to spend in order to get to Vancouver, venue of tomorrow’s World Cup final between their ladies and Japan.   The American women team have won the World Cup title twice. They also won the soccer gold medal at London 2012 Olympics.

“We have to be there to cheer our princesses on to victory, no matter the distance,” one of the fans, who identified himself as Markson, told The Guardian.   Markson came from San Francisco, while other fans traveled from cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Wisconsin and the northern central states.

“I actually made up my mind to come down to Vancouver for this final after our girls defeated Germany in the semi final,” Markson said in the midst of other flag-and-banner-waving American soccer fans.   With the invasion by the Americans, hotel rooms here in Vancouver have jumped up.

It is now difficult to find a hotel room in downtown Vancouver for less that $500.   The first time the people of Vancouver witnessed the American invasion was when their team clashed with the Super Falcons of Nigeria in their last group game, which ended 1-0 in their favour.

Before that game with the Falcons, the Yankee fans purchased most of the tickets available.   No doubt, Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in this part of the World. One of the streets, Beatty Street, is known as “a sea of red, white, and blue.” It is believed that invading Americans have purchased over 75 per cent of the final tickets.

There seems to be some form of ‘black market’ here. Some of the fans, who could not purchase  ticket online, have resorted to ‘black market’, just like the situation in Porto Alegre, Brazil, last year, where some fans, including Nigerian supporters, made big business by selling their tickets as high as $1,500. Some of these Americans have not seen the likes of Abby Wambach play physically before.