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With only 100 days left until the 2026 Fifa World Cup, excitement is mounting as the tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know about tickets for this highly anticipated event:
Current Ticket Sales Status
Fifa has reported the sale of nearly two million tickets in the initial two sales phases. The demand has been so high that World Cup tickets were oversubscribed by over 30 times.
The requests for tickets alone were 3.4 times more than the total number of spectators who attended 964 games in the previous 22 editions since 1930.
Most ticket purchases were made by residents of the host countries, followed by fans from England, Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, and France.
Fifa has not released figures for the third phase of ticket sales yet. The next phase will open after the March playoffs, where teams like Italy, Denmark, and Poland will compete for a spot in the finals.
Comparison with the 2022 World Cup
One month before the 2022 World Cup, Fifa announced the sale of 2.89 million tickets for 64 matches across eight stadiums.
In total, 3,182,406 tournament tickets were sold for the 2022 World Cup, generating $686 million in revenue. However, the upcoming 2026 edition features an expanded format with 48 teams and 104 matches from June 11 to July 19.
"The demand for the last four men's World Cups—Qatar, Russia, Brazil, South Africa— is being surpassed by the USA in a significant way," said Michael Edgley, director at Australia's Green and Gold Army Travel.
Price Ranges for 2026 World Cup Tickets
Ticket prices have become a hot topic, with some prices raised significantly compared to previous tournaments. For instance, a ticket to the final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, ranges from $2,030 to $6,370, a notable increase from the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
The cheapest ticket to the opening match on June 11 at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca costs between $560 and $2,735, while prices for group stage games range from $100 to $575.
Prices for last-16 games start at $220 and go up to $890, with quarter-final tickets ranging from $410 to $1,690. Semi-final tickets vary from $455 to $2,780, and the third-place match tickets are priced between $165 and $1,000.
Affordability of the Cheapest World Cup Tickets
In response to criticism of high prices, Fifa introduced a limited number of $60 'Supporter Entry Tier' tickets, covering all 104 matches. These seats, though, are located in the stadiums' top corners and are in limited supply.
Dynamic pricing is being implemented for the first time, allowing ticket costs to fluctuate based on real-time demand and other factors. This may lead to prices changing rapidly depending on the level of interest in a match.
Resale Mechanisms and Market Dynamics
Fans looking to resell tickets are advised to use Fifa's official platform, with the organization charging fees for both purchasing and reselling tickets. Resale prices can sometimes surpass face value due to high demand, limited supply, and market speculation.
While residents of Mexico are limited to reselling tickets at the original purchase price, no such restrictions apply to residents of Canada or the United States.
Despite the high prices, ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup have been remarkable, with strong demand from fans around the world.
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