Why World Cup 2026 Tickets Are So Expensive — and Why Some Matches Still Aren’t Sold Out
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here, but as the tournament kicks off, some matches are still struggling to sell out while skyrocketing ticket prices have sparked turmoil among fans. Professor Pnina Feldman shares how her research informs the ticketing dynamics around one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Q&A: Why are weddings so expensive?
They say your wedding is the most special day of your life. It may also be one of the most expensive. According to the online wedding registry and planner Zola, the average U.S. wedding cost $36,000 in 2025. By contrast, the median personal income is about $45,000 per year.
Eurovision Isn’t Just a Song Contest. It’s a Lesson in Branding.
It’s May — time to grab your remote and get ready to stream the wildly popular and often wacky Eurovision Song Contest. The world’s largest live song competition, now in its 70th year, draws some 160 million viewers worldwide. This year, it will take place in Vienna, after the Austrian singer JJ won the 2025 contest with his operatic pop-techno ballad “Wasted Love.”
Q&A: What could a United-American Airlines merger mean for your wallet and miles?
Darden professor Les Alexander discusses the potential viability of a merger between United Airlines and American Airlines, and its impact on air travelers already weary from a tumultuous travel season. He offers a warning: Ticket costs and frequent flyer miles could be at risk.
Why Political Pressure on Central Banks Can Raise Your Borrowing Costs
The question of central bank independence came up during a fireside chat on Grounds with Philip Lane, chief economist of the European Central Bank, hosted by economist and Darden professor Frank Warnock.
Q&A: What can brands learn from Nutella’s Artemis II cameo?
On Monday, during a livestream aboard NASA’s Artemis II mission, a jar of Nutella – the tasty hazelnut cocoa spread – floated through the spacecraft as the four astronauts were on the brink of breaking the record for traveling farther from Earth than anyone. We checked in with University of Virginia Darden School of Business lecturer and communications expert Steve Soltis for his insight. Soltis previously led executive communications at The Coca-Cola Company and United Parcel Service and is the cofounder of Arvo Advisory.
