FIFA offers fans chance to appear on World Cup stadium screens for Ksh 10K
Supporters attending matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA can now pay to have their names displayed on giant stadium screens before kick-off, with the global football governing body introducing a new fan engagement initiative priced at $79 (Ksh10,221) per slot.
The initiative, branded as the “Super Shoutout” programme, allows fans to purchase a place on stadium scoreboards during any of the tournament’s 72 group-stage fixtures. According to FIFA, each approved message will be shown before the match begins rather than while play is underway.
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Although promotional material suggests supporters can secure a shoutout that appears “during the match” and at an ideal moment, the program’s terms clarify that all displays will take place during pre-match activities and will not be featured while the game is in progress.
How it is handled
FIFA notes that the number of available slots is restricted and that requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. The organisation also states that neither the exact duration of the display nor its location on the screen can be guaranteed.
Fans are unable to choose a specific time for their appearance on the scoreboard when making a purchase. FIFA further explains that the feature is intended primarily for spectators inside the venue and does not promise that every attendee will see the message or that it will appear in television broadcasts, online streams, or other media coverage.
To participate, supporters must select one of the group-stage matches, indicate the team they are backing, and choose the number of shoutout slots they wish to buy. A maximum of four slots can be purchased in a single transaction, bringing the total cost to $316 (Ksh40, 884)before taxes. Participants are then required to submit their names, which are screened for inappropriate content, before accepting FIFA’s terms and privacy conditions.
Sales for shoutout slots close 72 hours before kick-off, and payment cards are only charged after FIFA approves the submission.
The new offering arrives amid ongoing criticism of FIFA’s pricing policies ahead of the World Cup. Several supporter groups and organisations have raised concerns over the high cost of attending the tournament, particularly ticket prices.
Price concerns
However, FIFA has defended its pricing strategy, arguing that costs reflect the North American sports market, where fans routinely pay substantial amounts to attend major events. The governing body has also maintained that revenue generated from the tournament will be invested back into football development worldwide.
Ticket pricing has already prompted formal complaints, while supporter organizations have accused FIFA of moving away from the traditional accessibility associated with the World Cup.
The governing body recently faced additional scrutiny over stadium regulations after initially planning to prohibit fans from bringing empty transparent plastic bottles into venues for refilling. Following criticism, FIFA reversed the decision, although the updated policy has yet to be implemented at World Cup venues in Mexico.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, June 11, 2026 across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
