Nollywood legend Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has left many Nigerians amused and reflective after expressing shock at the high cost of watching a FIFA World Cup match at a fan viewing centre in the United States.
The veteran actor, who is currently in the US for the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, shared his reaction in a video while attending a fan festival in Dallas for the Group K match between DR Congo and Portugal.
In the clip, Ikedieze could not hide his surprise at the entry fee charged for watching the game on big screens outside the stadium.
“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 compared the American setup to viewing centres back home in Nigeria, noting that the atmosphere still made fans feel part of the live action.
“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.”
The actor also pointed out the heavy security presence and additional costs like parking, further expressing his amazement at the overall expense.
“Police are everywhere. The car park here is $30, bro. $30 to come and watch a game. This is America.”
His video has sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians drawing comparisons between the cost of watching football in the US and the more affordable viewing centres back home. While some found his reaction funny and relatable, others noted that $30 is relatively standard for such organised fan events abroad.