'Astonishing' 2026 World Cup ticket prices spark widespread concerns

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 Oct 2025 09:50 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Supporters planning to attend matches at the 2026 World Cup have been left 'astonished' by the exorbitant prices being charged.

FIFA officially began sales for the upcoming tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada on Wednesday by informing the select few who had been chosen in its 'first ticket lottery' that they could proceed with purchasing entry to games.

However, the lucky ones who managed to gain access soon realised that the $60 tickets FIFA had been promoting were few and far between. Instead, most prices were in the hundreds and even thousands.

Split into four pricing categories depending on the location of the seat, the cost for group stage games ranged from $60 to $620. Ticket prices for the final at MetLife Stadium reached as high as $6,730, with even Category 4 spots going for as much as $2,030, according to The Athletic.

Since then, FIFA has opened an official secondary market in the US and Canada, and prices have skyrocketed even further due to the governing body charging a 15 per cent commission and not implementing a cap.

Tickets have also hit third-party sellers. At the time of writing, upscale final seats at MetLife Stadium are being listed for as much as $537,752 on Stubhub. The cheapest ticket currently costs $6,886.

Fans voice concerns over World Cup ticket prices

FIFA's ticket prices have seen fans voice concerns over the cost of attending games at next year's World Cup. The FSA, representing football supporters in England and Wales, called the prices "astonishing."

“These prices are astonishing,” an FSA statement read on Friday. “If the cheapest ticket turns out to be $2,000 for the final, that is an unbelievable outlay for a game you’ve no idea if you’ll qualify for.

“If fans are successful in obtaining a category four ticket from the first game to the last, that could set you back $3,180 at least. That is more than double what Qatar [in 2022] cost.

“Combined with travel to the Americas and accommodation, this will be the most expensive World Cup for matchgoing fans we’ve ever seen by some distance.”

FIFA responded in a statement saying that its pricing model is in line with the going rate for major events in the US: "The pricing model adopted generally reflects the existing and developing market practice in our co-hosts for major entertainment and sporting events, soccer included.

"We are focused on ensuring fair access to our game for existing but also prospective fans, and are offering group stage tickets starting at 60 US dollars, a very competitive price point for a major global sporting event in the US.

"FIFA can confirm it will retain ringfenced allocations set aside for specific fan categories and that these allocations will be set at a fixed price."

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