Aki shocked by $30 fee to watch World Cup match at Dallas fan festival

Popular Nollywood actor, Chinedu Ikedieze, better known as Aki, has expressed surprise over the cost of watching a FIFA World Cup match at a fan viewing centre in Dallas, Texas, revealing that supporters were charged $30, equivalent to about N40,000, to gain access to the event.

Ikedieze shared his experience in a video posted on his Facebook page while attending a fan festival organised for the Group K World Cup encounter between DR Congo and Portugal.

The actor said he was taken aback by the admission fee, especially because fans were not watching the game inside the stadium but at an outdoor fan zone where the match was being broadcast on giant screens.

Speaking in the video, Ikedieze pointed out that the venue was essentially a public viewing area designed to give supporters an opportunity to follow the action live in a festive atmosphere.

“People who have come to watch match, not even in the stadium. This is just the outside, this is where they put big screens. Do you know how much they are charging us? $30, that’s about 40,000,” he said.

Despite his surprise at the cost, the actor acknowledged that the atmosphere at the fan festival closely resembled the excitement of being inside a stadium. He likened the experience to football viewing centres commonly found across Nigeria, where supporters gather to watch major matches together.

“We are heading to the fan festival in Dallas. This is where we can watch the match. And it still feels like you are in the stadium. It’s like a viewing centre in Nigeria,” he added.

Ikedieze also highlighted additional expenses associated with attending the event, noting that visitors were required to pay another $30 for parking. According to him, the combined costs made the outing significantly more expensive than many football fans might expect.

The actor further observed the heavy security presence around the venue, saying law enforcement officers were stationed throughout the area to maintain order and ensure the safety of spectators.

“Police are everywhere. The car park here is $30, bro. $30 to come and watch a game. This is America,” he remarked.

His comments have since sparked reactions on social media, with many Nigerians comparing the charges to the relatively modest fees often paid at local viewing centres across the country.

The actor’s observations came during an exciting opening Group K fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where DR Congo secured a surprising 1-1 draw against tournament favourites Portugal, earning a valuable point and drawing praise from football fans around the world.