VIDEO: Actor Chinedu Ikedieze shocked by $30 fee to watch World Cup at US viewing centre

Chinedu Ikedieze aka Aki. Photo credit: Web

Kindly share this story:

Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has expressed surprise after discovering that football fans were being charged $30 to watch a FIFA World Cup match at a fan viewing area in Dallas, United States.

Ikedieze shared his reaction in a video posted on his Facebook page on Thursday while attending a fan festival for Wednesday’s Group K World Cup clash between DR Congo and Portugal.

In the video, Ikedieze expressed surprise at the $30 fee charged to fans watching the match on giant screens, adding a rough conversion to Nigerian currency, saying it was about ₦40,000 in Nigeria.

“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.

Comparing the setup to viewing centres in Nigeria, Ikedieze said the atmosphere still gave fans the feeling of being at the match.

“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 said.

The actor also pointed to the heavy security presence and parking fees at the venue, expressing further amazement at the costs.

• 2026 World Cup: USA, Australia eye knockout rounds, Brazil in action
• FG to let journalists join troops during military operations
• FULL FIXTURE: Eyes on August 21 as Premier League releases 2026/27 season schedule

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

Ikedieze’s comments came as DR Congo secured a 1-1 draw against tournament favourites Portugal in their opening Group K match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.

Watch video here:

𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝𝐮 𝐈𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐳𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 $𝟑𝟎 𝐅𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐔𝐒 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭: 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 | 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝𝐮 𝐈𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐳𝐞 pic.twitter.com/iKii8yR2N1

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) June 19, 2026

Kindly share this story:

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS: As a Nigerian living in Nigeria or diaspora, you can now earn about ₦17- ₦25Million when you acquire premium domains for as low as $2500. You get paid in US Dollars. Ideal for Civil/public servants, Entrepreneurs, Accountants, Doctors, IT Experts and many others. Click here to start.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.

UNILAG confirms water contamination in female hostel

Online threats, insults fuel S'Africa's anti-foreigner hate — Analysts

Army repels ISWAP attack in Borno, launches counter-offensive

Bauchi electoral commission fixes August 17 for LG election

US says goodbye to Air Force One as Trump’s Qatari jet awaits takeoff

FULL FIXTURE: Eyes on August 21 as Premier League releases 2026/27 season schedule

‘Nigerian marketers import Dangote fuel via Lome hub’

Fraudsters rake in N134bn from banks, customers – CBN

Bandits’ attacks: Fed Govt raises N500bn emergency security fund

Insecurity: APC knocks opposition, rejects Tinubu resignation call

Flood crisis: NEC slashes prevention fund by 50%, approves N83bn

EFCC probes ‘prophet’ over alleged N70.39m fraud

Ekiti Decides: Police secure election materials across LGs, INEC ready

Fire guts building on Lagos Island