2026 World Cup Ticket Sales Begin: Demand High, Prices Variable – Here’s How to Get Yours
The 2026 World Cup ticket sales commence on September 10, but securing tickets might prove challenging due to high demand and potentially steep prices. The tournament, which will take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada in June, is expected to attract a massive global audience.
FIFA, the governing body of international football, is implementing a new ticketing system for its flagship event, which could complicate matters further. Notably, FIFA will introduce a variable pricing model, where prices adjust based on demand, although it claims this isn’t the same as dynamic pricing.
In the initial sales window from September 10 to September 19, only eligible VISA cardholders can register their interest with FIFA for a chance to buy tickets. Successful applicants will be entered into a lottery and notified of their specific date and time slot to purchase tickets starting October 1.
These lucky buyers will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for any of the 104 games across all three countries, including the final, though they won’t know the specific teams playing until the draw on December 5. Additionally, venue-specific ticket packages and national team-specific tickets for group matches will be available.
Further opportunities to buy tickets will arise in late October following the group draw, as well as throughout next year. FIFA will also operate a resale platform for ticket holders who cannot attend matches.
FIFA has stated that some group-stage tickets will start at $60, providing an “accessible entry point” to the tournament. However, the cost of the most exclusive tickets could reach up to $6,730 for the final. The organization is not emphasizing that prices will fluctuate based on demand during the sales window and potentially on the resale platform in the U.S. and Canada.
In contrast, the resale platform in Mexico will function as an exchange platform, allowing buyers to receive up to the amount they spent buying a ticket from FIFA but no more.
While adjusting prices based on demand doesn’t necessarily mean prices will rise significantly, the World Cup’s popularity and expanded format suggest demand will likely exceed supply, making obtaining tickets difficult. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA received over 23 million requests for about 3.4 million available tickets, resulting in a success rate of only about 15%.
For those unwilling to vie for regular seats during sales windows, premium “hospitality tickets” offer guaranteed access to reserved seating areas and additional amenities but come at a higher price. Hospitality tickets have been on sale since earlier this year and currently cost at least $1,350 for a single game.
FIFI has also introduced a new ticketing method called “right to buys” (RTBs), which offer buyers guaranteed opportunities to purchase specific games, including the final. To obtain an RTB, fans must buy digital cards that FIFA periodically releases. Prices range from hundreds of dollars for playoff game guarantees to cheaper “surprise packs” containing an RTB.
The combination of variable pricing and more games could lead to the most profitable World Cup tournament ever, with Bloomberg Intelligence estimating FIFA could earn a record $4.4 billion in ticket sales and premium seating. This figure represents a 378% increase from the last men’s tournament in Qatar, reflecting the expanded tournament with 104 matches and 48 national teams.
FIFA emphasizes that most of the revenue generated from its tournaments is intended to support the growth of football worldwide. “We are looking at optimizing revenue and attendance in the stadia, so it’s always a balance between different factors,” Heimo Schirgi, FIFA World Cup 26 Chief Operating Officer, stated via email.
With the first ticket sales window opening on September 10, securing a World Cup ticket is set to become a challenging endeavor for many football fans.