how much did people pay for world cup group stage tickets
People were generally paying hundreds of dollars for 2026 World Cup group- stage tickets , with the cheapest seats starting around $60–$105 and many seats in the main categories landing between $120 and $620. For some matches, especially high-demand openers or host-nation games, prices were much higher, reaching into the $1,000s and even more on resale.
Group-stage pricing
For the 2026 tournament, reported group-stage pricing showed these ranges:
| Category | Reported group-stage range |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | $345–$620 |
| Category 2 | $260–$465 |
| Category 3 | $120–$215 |
| Category 4 | $60–$105 |
What fans actually paid
News coverage and fan interviews suggest many buyers were spending far more than the minimums, especially for popular matches or through resale. Reuters and ESPN both described a market where prices climbed into the four-figure range , and one report noted that Category 1 group-stage tickets could run from $450 to $990 for some matches.
Practical takeaway
If you’re asking about the typical amount people paid, the answer is usually a few hundred dollars per ticket for group-stage seats, with lower-end tickets being limited and the hottest games far above that.
TL;DR: Group-stage tickets were officially reported from about $60 at the low end, but most people ended up facing $120–$620 or more, and premium or resale tickets could be much higher.