A spinal cord injury charity in Vancouver, British Columbia, had to cancel its raffle because FIFA said the charity was violating the World Cup ticketing policy.
Spinal Cord Injury B.C. raffled the tickets to see New Zealand play Egypt in the World Cup on June 21 at B.C. Place in Vancouver to support the organization’s peer programs and information services. The charity was offering one chance for $20, three for $50, or seven for $100.
The two World Cup tickets were in Category 2, which is situated in the stadium’s lower bowl, according to The Athletic. These tickets were $380 per seat, according to FIFA’s April 16 ticket drop.
FIFA sent the charity a cease-and-desist letter
However, according to The Breaker, Spinal Cord Injury B.C. informed supporters on May 19 that FIFA had sent a cease-and-desist letter due to ticketing and intellectual property violations. The organization said that it would give everyone who purchased a ticket a full refund and that it had canceled the raffle.
“We are incredibly disappointed to have to do this, as we know how difficult it has been to get tickets for a match at B.C. Place,” the charity explained to its supporters. “We apologize for any inconvenience this raffle cancellation may cause, but we hope you will continue to support us in any future raffles.”
Chris McBride, an executive director of Spinal Cord Injury BC, told The Athletic that a staff member of the non-profit purchased the tickets. The letter from FIFA said they “were in violation of FIFA’s trademark and their ticketing policy,” and due to that violation, the tickets may not be released at all to the person who purchased them.
FIFA’s ticketing agreement states that without their express consent, World Cup tickets cannot be used for “advertising, contests, sweepstakes, or other commercial, promotional and marketing activities (including as the prize or award in connection with such activities).” FIFA also states that any actual or attempted violation of the agreement “may result in civil and/or criminal penalties.”
FIFA responds to questions about the raffle’s cancellation
A FIFA representative confirmed to The Athletic that World Cup tickets are issued as “personal, revocable licenses” and cannot be utilized for raffles or competitions.
“While FIFA fully recognizes and supports the important work carried out by charities around the world, such use of tickets is not permitted under FIFA’s ticketing framework,” the FIFA representative said. “These provisions are intended to protect the integrity and fair allocation of tickets, ensure that access is provided through controlled and secure channels, and safeguard the commercial rights that underpin the organization and delivery of the FIFA World Cup.”
However, as Bob Mackin of The Breaker wrote, “You can buy tickets for the final in New Jersey, mark them up to $2.29 million each on the official FIFA resale marketplace website and hope for a windfall profit. (FIFA gets a 15% cut from both buyer and seller). But you’re not allowed to use opening round match tickets to raise money for a charity that helps people with disabilities — unless FIFA agrees in writing.”