Ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have already soared for games in the U.S., with millions of international fans expected to travel for the tournament. How much fans pay to attend the first World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, could determine who can watch games in person.
A quick glance at resale listings shows these steep prices. According to GameTime, tickets for U.S. vs. Paraguay at SoFi Stadium range from $1,300 to upwards of $3,000, depending on the section. However, listings on TickPick for matches like Iran vs. New Zealand begin at around $400, indicating that ticket prices vary significantly by match and demand. Overall, strong demand continues to keep prices elevated as the tournament approaches.
Year-on-year comparisons tell a similar story of growth. People & Qatar note that current ticket sales are trending towards higher prices than Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, adjusted for inflation. Global interest, expanding scale of the tournament and overheads associated with hosting games in different countries have driven up prices. This year’s host stadiums have larger capacities, so hosting and operational costs may contribute to price increases
Ticket prices are also prompting concerns around affordability as the tournament nears. ESPN characterized some pricing decisions for the World Cup as “absurd,” with some group-stage tickets priced as high as $700. This was prior to FIFA adding a limited option for lower-priced tickets after backlash from fans.
NBC News reported many fans are already priced out of attending the tournament, with some fans deeming ticket prices “absolutely insane” and concerned about rising costs stopping everyday fans from attending the World Cup.
Ticket prices are not the only thing one needs to budget for when looking to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The resale listing for parking passes for SoFi Stadium matches on StubHub show that parking will tack on an additional cost for those driving to the game, with general parking currently listed at $149.
Additional information about official World Cup Parking and event logistics is available through FIFA’s Event partner, JustPark. Uber pricing from LAX to SoFi Stadium can give attendees an idea of how rides will factor into the total cost of attending a World Cup match, though costs vary depending on time and the day.
Official tickets have also already sold out. On the FIFA official ticket website, it is noted that the application period for supporter tickets has ended, leaving ticket resales sites as some of the few avenues remaining for fans to try to experience the game.
With the biggest World Cup in history featuring an expanded 48-team format quickly approaching, prices are rising for fans hoping to attend. Everything from secondary market jumps, travel costs, hotel accommodations and ticket availability are all a contributing factor.
Will both tiers of fans, average fans and high rollers, be able to attend? This question, as well as concerns over the overall cost, has been raised before. As the game’s most popular spectacle continues to evolve into a money-making machine, the costs will likely keep rising.
