Tickets priced at 500 and 1,000 pesos for the football match between Cuba and Bonaire sparked criticism and mixed opinions on social media, where fans questioned why watching the national team has become a luxury.
The discussion began this Saturday with a post on Facebook by Dennis Hechavarría Ramos, a Cuban football fan residing in Brazil, who asked if those prices reflect the economic reality of the population.
The fan recalled that it was not a Champions League final or a match of the top European leagues, but rather the national team of a country where many families struggle to meet their basic needs.
"We cannot talk about developing Cuban football if a portion of our fans has to think twice before buying a ticket," he wrote.
The figures help to gauge the impact of prices. With an average state salary of around 7,354 pesos per month, the general admission represents nearly seven percent of that income, while access to the VIP area amounts to almost 14%.
For those earning the minimum wage of 3,210 pesos, the most expensive ticket represents almost a third of their monthly income. The difference is also significant compared to baseball, as a ticket to the Latinoamericano Stadium costs only 20 pesos.
Several users supported the criticism and pointed out that the cost of attending the stadium doesn’t end with the ticket purchase. "I completely agree with your reflection, brother, and add on the price of transportation to go watch the match, it's crazyyyyy," commented one of them.
Another person questioned the sacrifice of allocating that money to entertainment in a country where basic food items have high prices. "Can you imagine giving a bag of rice, which is equivalent to a ticket to see a football match?" he wrote, referring to the cost of a pound of rice, which currently ranges between 390 and 500 pesos.
However, there were also users who defended the fees, stating that the sport needs funding to develop. "It's true that 1,000 pesos is a considerable amount for someone living on a state salary or a pension, but what our football and Cuban sports in general need most is MONEY," argued a commentator.
Others downplayed the ticket price by comparing it to regular expenses. "That price is a steal, stop talking nonsense; that money is worth a beer, and you drink one every day," responded a user. Another argued that the ticket was inexpensive compared to food prices, stating that "the pound of chicken is expensive."
The quality of the show was also part of the discussion. "And with the quality of Cuban football, for heaven's sake," questioned one commentator, while another summarized his discontent with a shorter expression: "They tightened up, better not to talk about it."
Hechavarría argued that football should maintain its popular character and not become an activity reserved for those with greater economic means. "Football is passion, identity, popular culture, and feeling. It should not be a privilege reserved for those who can pay more," he wrote.
The controversy arises before the upcoming match of the Cuban national team, which will face Grenada this Monday at the same stadium. A draw will be sufficient to secure promotion to League A of Concacaf (Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football) and qualification for the Gold Cup in 2027.
Cuba arrives at this encounter after trouncing Bonaire 7-1 on Thursday in the Concacaf Nations League. The match took place at the La Polar stadium, reopened in July 2025 after a renovation costing over 1.7 million dollars funded by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which included a certified synthetic pitch, climate-controlled locker rooms, and upgraded lighting.
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