how much are fifa world cup tickets
FIFA World Cup ticket prices vary a lot depending on match, round, and seat category, but we already have a clear picture for 2026 in North America.
Quick Scoop
- Cheapest official tickets for 2026 start at about 60 USD (around £45) for select seats at all matches, including the final, but these are limited and targeted at “loyal fans” via national associations.
- For most fans, realistic prices are much higher: think roughly 140–400+ USD for many group-stage tickets and hundreds to thousands of dollars for knockout rounds and the final, depending on category and city.
- FIFA is using dynamic pricing for the first time, so prices move with demand—popular matches and cities can spike significantly above initial price ranges.
Typical 2026 Price Ranges
These are ballpark figures from publicly available examples and compiled price tables (face value, not resale).
By tournament round (face value ranges)
- Group stage
- Low-end “Category 4” or special fan tickets: around 60–75 USD in some cities.
* Many standard tickets: roughly 140–400+ USD depending on category and host city.
- Round of 32 / Round of 16
- Lower categories can sit around 160–260+ USD.
* Better categories often range from about 400 up to 900+ USD in some markets.
- Quarter-finals
- Example tables show lower categories around 275–500 USD.
* Prime categories can be well above 1,000 USD in some venues.
- Semi-finals
- One example city list shows prices from roughly 420 USD (Category 4) up to about 2,565 USD (Category 1).
- Final
- Example official grid: about 2,030 USD for the lowest category and up to roughly 6,370 USD for top-category seats in one host city.
* A special 60 USD (£45) fan allocation exists but is just around 10% of each association’s tickets and is tightly controlled.
How seat category changes price
FIFA uses categories (often 1–4) plus hospitality/VIP to structure pricing.
- Category 1
- Best views near halfway line, lower tier.
- Usually the most expensive non-hospitality ticket (often several times Category 4).
- Categories 2–3
- Decent views but further from the halfway line or higher tiers.
- Mid-range pricing; a common “value vs view” compromise.
- Category 4
- Cheapest standard bucket, usually behind goals or higher tiers; sometimes reserved for residents of host countries.
- Hospitality (Suites, VIP, Club level)
- Separate packages with lounge access, food, and extras.
- Prices can be many times higher than even Category 1—aimed at corporate clients and high spenders.
Example price snapshots (2026 data)
Here are a few specific sample lines pulled from compiled 2026 price tables for illustration (all USD).
Sample 2026 ticket examples (face value)
| Match date & round | Example | Cat 1 | Cat 2 | Cat 3 | Cat 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Jun – Group | TBD vs TBD (host city example) | $345 | [7]$260 | [7]$120 | [7]$60 | [7]
| 27 Jun – Group | TBD vs TBD (higher-demand city) | $620 | [7]$465 | [7]$215 | [7]$105 | [7]
| 7 Jul – Round of 16 | TBD vs TBD | $590 | [7]$450 | [7]$220 | [7]$170 | [7]
| 15 Jul – Semi-final | TBD vs TBD | $2,565 | [7]$1,775 | [7]$660 | [7]$420 | [7]
| 19 Jul – Final | TBD vs TBD | $6,370 | [7]$4,210 | [7]$2,790 | [7]$2,030 | [7]
What makes prices jump?
Even before resale, several factors can push your total cost up or down.
- Match importance
- Group games are cheapest, knockout games higher, and the final is by far the most expensive.
- Teams involved
- Host nations, global giants (Brazil, Argentina, etc.), and local derbies see more demand and higher pricing bands.
- Host city and stadium
- Mega markets like New York, Los Angeles, or Mexico City tend to have higher average price points than some smaller venues.
- Dynamic pricing
- FIFA has confirmed price adjustments based on demand, so in-demand matches may increase from initial announced rates.
- Resale market
- Official resale and third-party platforms (where allowed) can charge a big premium for high-demand games; sometimes you can also find under-face deals for less popular fixtures.
Latest news, forums, and fan chatter
Recent coverage and fan discussions show a mix of excitement and frustration.
- Media backlash and fan pressure
- Major outlets reported heavy criticism of initial high price levels, especially compared to Qatar 2022, with some categories up several hundred percent.
* In response, FIFA introduced the £45 / 60 USD “affordable” ticket tier for all matches, but in very limited numbers, accessible mainly via member associations.
- Forum sentiment
- One widely shared forum post mentioned group-stage tickets averaging around 305 USD, reinforcing the idea that the typical fan will pay much more than the headline 60 USD figure.
* Fans debate whether it is worth applying directly through FIFA, waiting for later phases, or using trusted resale platforms if they miss out in lotteries.
- Ongoing sales phases
- Ticket waves open in stages (lotteries, first-come-first-served windows, and targeted sales), with updated pricing grids periodically released.
A common fan line in forums is that “60 dollars exists mostly on paper – expect to budget a few hundred per decent ticket unless you get very lucky.”
Quick practical tips if you want to go
- Apply early through the official portal and your national association for the best chance at the 60 USD or other lower-tier tickets.
- Be flexible on city, date, and category—midweek group games in less hyped venues are usually far cheaper.
- Watch for official resale windows rather than jumping to unverified resellers, to avoid scams and inflated prices.
- If your goal is “I just want to be in the stadium,” target Category 3–4 tickets for group games; if you want a bucket-list experience, be ready to pay four figures for top knockout rounds and the final.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.