Socceroos fans hoping to watch the FIFA World Cup at one of the most iconic public spaces in New South Wales will have to pay for the privilege.

Parramatta’s Centenary Square, which organisers Global Public Events claim is “Australia’s biggest World Cup live site”, will screen all three group matches involving the Socceroos with ‘first-release tickets’ selling on Thursday for between $27 and $28.

Family tickets were going for a heftier $84.98, even for Australia’s match against Peru, which kicks off at midnight on the morning of Wednesday, June 27.

The space holds approximately 7000 people and those behind the event say that if Australia scores at sport’s biggest event, the venue will be “better than it will be in Russia”.

Ticket prices for Australia’s three group matches as of Thursday afternoon.

Promoters also explained that included in the ticket price was entertainment, with DJs and bands to feature, access to a bar, food trucks and “big sound and lighting”.

Others are not so convinced, though, with Socceroos Active Support organiser Blayne Treadgold describing the event as “disappointing” and a “money grab”.

“As a football fan, I don’t think anyone should be paying to watch their football team [on television],” he told The New Daily.

“Every four years, the nation comes together to support the country.

“It’s quite disappointing and unfortunate that companies only want to get involved in football every four years.”

Socceroos Active Support has organised 14 live venues for football fans to watch Australia games, with all being free of charge.

Included are pubs in London and New York and Treadgold urged fans to head to these venues instead to experience a proper football atmosphere.

“All our live sites are fan driven,” he said.

“Socceroos Active Support is a not-for-profit fan group. The atmosphere at our venues will be more authentic, like football fans expect.

“We’re also keen to push and support venues who support football all year round … not pubs who jump on the bandwagon.”

‘A simulated stadium atmosphere’

Global Public Events co-founder Lui Spedaliere told The New Daily the Parramatta live site would be a success and that a deal with Melbourne’s Federation Square fell over due to “timing issues”.

“Why would you watch it on a little TV for free, when you could experience a stadium-like atmosphere for $25?” she said.

Fans celebrate Western Sydney’s AFC Champions League success at Centenary Square. Photo: Getty

“We expect it to be sold out. I can’t see why people wouldn’t want to be there.

“We are creating a simulated stadium atmosphere … it is going to be a roaring success.”

Spedaliere explained that at Centenary Square, fans would be able to watch on two 33-square-metre screens and would witness an “amazing light show and sound effects” if the Socceroos score a goal.

She was also keen to push a significant security presence, hailing the co-ordination between her group, police and the City of Parramatta Council, and an “activation” with A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.

Posting on Twitter to promote the event, City of Parramatta Councillor Steven Issa admitted his excitement was “dampened” after learning fans would have to pay to access the event.

He later told The New Daily that fans would be “paying for the experience”.

“The event obviously has costs associated with it, predominantly security,” Cr Issa said.

“When you get an event like this, with two 33-square-metre screens, food trucks, a bar … you are paying for the experience.”

Cr Issa added that he understood members of the Western Sydney Wanderers and My Football Family were eligible for a $5 discount on the ticket price.