World Cup Ticket Prices

Debate between Baroness Goudie and Baroness Twycross

Wednesday 3rd June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I agree with my noble friend about the parades and, across your Lordships’ House, we all want to congratulate Arsenal on winning the Premier League and offer commiserations on its loss in the Champions League final. Although it is possible for some employers to exercise discretion, it would be a tall order for the Government to say to everyone, including your Lordships’ House, that we should down tools and watch every single match instead of working. But I know that, across the country and across both home countries involved, people are hugely looking forward to the World Cup.

[Baroness Goudie (Lab)]

My Lords, not only is there the expense of buying the tickets and paying the fares, but there is also the issue of getting visas. Can the Minister see whether we can sort out the visas to America in particular, because it takes time to get those?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I am not aware of any particular issues with visas. That falls firmly within the FCDO’s parameters, and it does most of the liaison with overseas countries on major sporting events. I presume that most people had to buy their flights some time ago, so I assume that most of them would already have gone through that process.