By Pang Xue Qiang
It has been one week into the most popular sporting event in the world.
With the group stages in full swing, it is hard to avoid the World Cup fever.
Yet, the truth may still be hard to swallow: Most of the world is watching the World Cup for free. Not so much for us in Singapore.
Here is how the subscription price in Singapore compares to other countries in the region:
| Country | Price |
| Singapore | USD88.50 (S$112) for all 64 matches |
| Malaysia | USD30.50 (S$38) for all 64 matches |
| Hong Kong | USD19.05 (S$24) for all 64 matches |
| Indonesia | Free-to-air |
| Philippines | Free-to-air |
| Cambodia | Free-to-air |
| Thailand | Free-to-air |
| Vietnam | Free-to-air |
| China | Free-to-air |
| India | Free-to-air |
| Japan | Free-to-air |
| South Korea | Free-to-air |
| Australia | Free-to-air |
Only four of the 64 matches – opening match, two semi-finals and the final, will be broadcast free on MediaCorp’s okto channel.
There is no doubt Singapore is one of the most expensive places in the world to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The large crowds at screening venues in the past week may not have come at a surprise then – with many getting out of their way and congregating at public venues to enjoy the free screenings.
We can only hope that the next time around – in Russia 2018, all Singaporeans will get a better deal.