Citadel founder Ken Griffin and fellow billionaire Stephen Ross have donated funding for 1,200 tickets to FIFA World Cup matches in Miami, giving children from South Florida an opportunity to attend one of the world’s biggest sporting events, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The tickets will be distributed through local Boys & Girls Clubs via the Florida Council of 100, a business-led organisation focused on public policy initiatives aimed at improving life across the state, according to a statement released by the group.
Griffin and Ross have both become prominent figures in Florida’s business community since relocating to the state during the pandemic. The pair are also backing a separate $10m initiative designed to attract executives, investors and entrepreneurs to South Florida.
Miami is hosting seven World Cup matches during the tournament, with the opening fixture in the city featuring Uruguay against Saudi Arabia. Demand for tickets has remained strong, with prices for some matches reaching several thousand dollars on secondary markets.
Griffin s a longstanding supporter of football and has previously contributed to efforts supporting US soccer. Ross, chairman and CEO of real estate developer Related Ross, also owns the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, whose Hard Rock Stadium – temporarily rebranded as Miami Stadium for the tournament – is serving as one of the World Cup venues.
