Tickets for the 23rd FIFA World Cup are reaching record highs, with prices climbing up to $4,000 for the most attractive group-stage matches.
Demand on resale platforms has remained strong, with prices holding steady or even rising in some cases, while stadiums are nearly full.
Even before the start of the World Cup, fans had voiced strong complaints about ticket prices, which are the highest in the tournament’s history. Many had expected prices to collapse ahead of kick-off and feared empty seats would expose FIFA’s strategy.
However, according to Bloomberg, after the first week of matches, demand for tickets on resale platforms has remained strong, with prices stable or increasing in some instances and stadiums almost at capacity.
For the most sought-after group-stage matches, ticket prices have exceeded $4,000.
FIFA strategy brings in billions
According to euro2day.gr, FIFA has adopted a more aggressive commercial strategy this year compared to previous tournaments, implementing dynamic pricing, phased ticket releases and promoting its own resale platform.
The tournament is expected to generate $11 billion in revenue, the highest in its history, drawing criticism that football’s governing body is prioritising profits over affordable access for fans.
S&P Global analyst Michael Johnson said:
“This has created confusion and frustration among fans who wanted to attend matches. They expected prices to drop after the tournament started, but that has not happened.”
Demand remains strong
This year’s World Cup is hosted in North America, with matches held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Shortly before the tournament began, reports emerged of empty seats and available tickets on FIFA’s official website, fuelling speculation that fans were reacting to high ticket and travel costs.
Despite initial concerns, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Kevin Near estimates that demand remains particularly strong and tickets are scarce, while the resale market is expected to strengthen further as the tournament progresses.
Strong demand has also been supported by an impressive start to the tournament, with major upsets and standout performances from top players, including Lionel Messi’s hat-trick with Argentina.
What drives prices
After the United States recorded a record win over Paraguay in the opening match, ticket prices surged by 68% to $2,314 for the June 19 match in Seattle against Australia, according to resale price data compiled by Ticket Data.
Prices for the US national team’s June 25 match against Turkey in Los Angeles have risen by 105% in recent days, reaching $2,150, according to Ticket Data.
Meanwhile, matches such as Mexico vs South Korea or Colombia vs Portugal have risen by about 15%, although prices were already very high.
The Colombia vs Portugal match in Miami, featuring superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, averages $2,573 per ticket.
The cheapest match on SeatGeek is currently a group-stage game on June 26 between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, with an average ticket price of $236.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition of the tournament, held every four years and featuring national teams from FIFA member associations.
The competition runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and is hosted across 16 cities in three North American countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. Of the matches, 78, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, will be played in the United States, while Canada and Mexico will each host 13 matches. It is the first tournament hosted by three countries.
The World Cup began in 1930 in Uruguay and remains the world’s premier football event.
The 2026 edition features 48 teams, up from 32 in previous tournaments, with a total of 104 matches.
Preparations for the tournament have sparked controversy, particularly regarding US immigration and visa policies affecting teams and fans, Iran’s participation amid the ongoing war involving the United States and Israel, and FIFA’s use of dynamic ticket pricing.
