The World Cup for the ultra-rich: R$20 million package for the final, jet between stadiums and meeting with players

Granit Jersey, in the United States.
The opportunity, described as "the first of its kind in the history of the tournament", was offered exclusively to its invited customers, who undergo an assessment before being accepted.
It included six tickets in the first row, right on the midfield line, and access to the pitch during the awards ceremony, at the moment the champion team lifts the cup.
The total price for six people: US$4 million (about R$20 million).
"(The package) was sold to one of our members less than 24 hours after it was announced", the president of Knightsbridge Circle, Stuart McNeill, tells BBC News Brasil.
Knightsbridge Circle is one of several companies that are offering luxury packages to the ultra-rich who wish to participate in the World Cup.
The current edition is considered unprecedented because, among other reasons, it is played in three countries - the United States, Mexico and Canada - and has a record number of 48 participating teams. There will be a total of 104 matches in 16 cities.
For many fans around the world who want to follow the World Cup closely, planning began months ago and was marked by difficulties, from high ticket prices and transport to some of the stadiums to obstacles in obtaining an American visa.
But, for a tiny portion of visitors, the experience will be very different: they must arrive at the host cities by private jet, travel to the stadiums by helicopter or limousine and have a guaranteed place in the VIP area, even if they decided to do all this at the last minute.
"I've been working with this (luxury) market for 22 years, and the biggest surprise, for me, is that in this World Cup, money can buy practically anything, which is new (compared to previous ones)", says McNeill.
A white Rolls Royce Phantom, a four-door limousine, turns onto Collins Avenue, in South Beach, Miami, USA.
Getty Images
He and other specialists in the high-luxury segment do not reveal the names of clients interested in the World Cup. They are celebrities, billionaires, company founders, executives from the technology sector and athletes, among others, coming from various parts of the world, including Brazil.
"We have some Brazilian clients", says McNeill, remembering that the company has a team in Miami that speaks Portuguese.
How much does a luxury experience cost?
Not all luxury packages for the World Cup have a million-dollar price tag. Prices depend on several factors, such as type of access, transport, accommodation and number of nights.
But many of the tailor-made itineraries offered by Knightsbridge Circle, for example, "easily exceed six figures".
They range from the aforementioned jets and helicopters to VIP service at airports, security teams and accommodation in luxury hotel chains, such as Four Seasons, Aman and Rosewood.
Nicole Wallach, vice president of Magma's leisure division Global, a company specializing in luxury travel concierge services, calculates that the most affordable options are between US$25,000 and US$75,000 (R$125,000 and R$375,000) for a couple, including five-star accommodation, tickets for a departure, business class flight and private transfer.
Some clients pay much more than that, on luxury itineraries that include several days and several host cities. There are also those who decide to amend the World Cup with trips to other locations.
"I have clients who are going to watch games in Los Angeles and then take a flight to spend a few nights in Hawaii", says Wallach to BBC News Brasil.
View of the playing field from one of the suites at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington.
Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News
For the weekend of the final, with luxury accommodation in New York, she estimates that expenses could easily be in the low sixties digits.
Gina Gabbard, Director of Strategy at First in Service Travel, a New York agency that is part of the global luxury tourism network Virtuoso, tells BBC News Brasil that options for ultra-wealthy fans range from VIP tickets and meals prepared by chefs during the game to more complete packages.
"They can include accommodation in luxury hotels, private transport in the host city, reservations in sophisticated restaurants, tours and other activities and, for some clients, exclusive meetings with the players", says Gabbard.
"VIP tickets, depending on the match, can cost from US$5,000 [R$25,000] per person," says Gabbard.
"Packages start at around US$50,000 [R$250,000] and can reach several hundred thousand dollars when involving multiple games and cities."
Privacy and access are what matters
According to Wallach, for customers in this segment, convenience, privacy and access are more important than price.
"These are travelers who usually fly on private jets and stay in the most luxurious suites," he says.
"They travel accompanied by their own team and really expect a highly personalized experience when it comes to an event of this magnitude."
She points out, however, that not everyone interested in luxury packages for the World Cup travel on jets, and some go first or business class on commercial flights.
Furthermore, in certain matches, there may be more demand than availability of helicopters to reach the stadiums.
"There is a limit to the number of aircraft and landing locations available," says Wallach. In this case, the solution is a luxury car with a private driver.
According to Wallach, these fans want more than just a VIP ticket. "Not everyone wants to sit in the front row. For many, the priority is privacy and access to exclusive services. They are looking for a complete VIP experience", he highlights.
"While the average fan wastes time in queues, paying for food and drinks throughout the day, these customers usually have exclusive entrance and access to private lounges with haute cuisine".
Co-founder of Microsoft, billionaire Bill Gates attended the USA's debut in the World Cup
Reuters
Wallach states that It's a mistake to think that these travelers are simply looking for the most expensive experience. "They want a frictionless experience." personal assistant and other members of the client's team to coordinate the arrangements", highlights Gabbard.
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Last minute decisions
Another aspect that differentiates these travelers from ordinary fans is the (little) advance planning.
"Many will watch the games accompanied by their families, others will take the opportunity to welcome clients", says Wallach.
"They value their time much more than money, and often make last-minute decisions."
According to McNeill, his clients' interest in the World Cup was timid at first. "For travelers from outside the United States, there was a real reluctance due to the political climate," he says.
However, demand has gained momentum in recent weeks, and is expected to increase further as the Round of 16 approaches and it becomes clearer which countries will advance. decide] For example, if Brazil reaches the semi-final or the final, they will get on a plane and go to wherever the game is taking place."
Among members of the Knightsbridge Circle, day-trips lasting one or two days are common, arriving the morning of the game or the night before and leaving the next day. The following week, they can return for their team's next match.
"As many fly in private jets, it is convenient and easy for them to attend every game," notes McNeill.
Wallach says he has seen an increase in demand since the tournament began. "Honestly, I think it's bigger than we expected."
According to McNeill, in addition to the matches, there is also demand for other exclusive experiences, such as a series of lunches organized by his company with former World Cup players, which offer the opportunity to talk up close with renowned names in world football.
On other occasions, customers who want to see the stars up close commit to donating to charities supported by the athlete. "Many of the players are highly involved in charitable causes," highlights McNeill.
"On their day off, they might agree to welcome some clients to the training center. Our clients make a donation [to an institution], and maybe they can take photos [with the athlete], hit a ball or something."
For those interested in "super exclusive" access to the World Cup final who missed out on the US$4 million package, McNeill reminds us that there is a new opportunity, with two exclusive seats on the edge of the pitch. Each one will cost "just" US$1.5 million (R$7.5 million).

Source: G1