The upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026, hosted in part by the USA, is generating excitement among soccer fans. However, many are expressing concerns about the soaring ticket prices. This article delves into the escalating costs, comparing them to past tournaments and examining fan reactions to the new dynamic pricing and "Right to Buy" options.
Map of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Host Countries
Rising Ticket Prices: A Cause for Concern
Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup are significantly higher than in previous years. Many seats for the final in New Jersey will cost over $6,300, exponentially higher than even the most expensive seats for the last World Cup final in Qatar, which cost the equivalent of about $1,600. One fan, Trucano, expressed his shock at the potential cost for his family: “I mean, my word, if it’s five of us and it’s $1,000 ... and $5,000 in this economy? In a great economy that’s a no-go, let alone the economy we have right now.”
Prices rise even more in the later stages of the tournament, jumping to thousands of dollars for a handful of the playoff games. Tickets for a U.S. men’s national team game will cost over $2,700 - a lot more than the most expensive ticket for the final in Qatar.
New Ticketing Strategies: Dynamic Pricing and "Right to Buy"
FIFA is implementing new strategies that are impacting ticket prices. First, it has introduced a type of dynamic pricing, meaning prices will adjust based on demand. Another unusual thing: FIFA is offering what’s called a right to buy a ticket that offers buyers a guaranteed ticket for the game of their choice.
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These “RTBs” cost hundreds - and even thousands of dollars. And that’s before you buy the actual ticket. FIFA will determine that ticket price at a later stage.
Fan Reactions: Outrage and Disappointment
Many fans are outraged by the high prices and new ticketing strategies. Jim Waian in California was outraged. “To me this is madness,” he says. “It’s absolute madness.” But Waian says he refuses to pay the prices FIFA is charging next year. “It’s much more than I would want to spend,” Waian says.
Trucano is hopeful that will happen. In the meantime though, he’s angry and disappointed. “I think they see us as consumers,” Trucano says. “As just big wallets. Big fat wallets that they can take as much money out of as they can. I don’t think that does anybody any good.”
FIFA's Perspective
FIFA argues that the high prices are necessary to fund the growth of soccer globally. “It is important to note, as a not-for-profit organization, the revenue FIFA generates from the World Cup is reinvested to fuel the growth of the game (men, women, youth) throughout FIFA’s 211 member associations globally.” But Waian still doesn’t understand why growing the sport means that ticket prices next year have to jump so much. “Everything they’ve done so far seems to be just concerned about maximizing profit and nothing, absolutely nothing, else,” Waian says.
How to Buy 2026 World Cup Tickets - July 2025 Update!
Historical Context: World Cup Ticketing Experiences
Understanding the history of World Cup ticketing can provide insight into the likely procedures FIFA and US Soccer will employ for 2026 ticket sales.
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- 1994: Tickets were sought through classified ads in USA Today.
- 1998: Tickets were purchased from a ticket broker, with complications arising on game day.
- 2006: US ticket sales were done by FAX!
- 2010: Ticket demand was lower, and USMNT Team-Specific Tickets were obtained through a FIFA lottery.
- 2014: US Soccer established the US Supporters Club to determine ticketing priority.
World Cup 2022 Ticketing: A Recent Example
Ticket sales for USMNT matches were similar to the two prior World Cups. Since sales for 2026 USMNT matches will likely resemble this process, it's helpful to review the details.
Ticket Categories
World Cup tickets are sold by category. You will not know your seat location until you get the actual ticket. Ticket categories in Qatar were similar to prior tournaments, and WC2026 will likely follow suit.
Ticket Types
World Cup 2022 tickets were sold in the usual fashion:
- Individual Match Tickets
- Stadium-Specific Tickets - multiple tickets for matches in one city.
- Team-Specific Tickets - multiple tickets for one team.
In 2022, approximately 96% of Category 4 tickets were sold to migrants in Qatar. This category also included accessibility tickets for local and international disabled fans.
FIFA Sales Phases
Each lottery phase included a certain percentage of the overall tickets available for each match.
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- FIFA First Phase: This lottery phase occurred before the tournament draw, so teams for each match were not known except for the host nation.
- FIFA Second Phase: This lottery phase occurred shortly after the final draw, so teams were set for each match.
- FIFA Third Phase: This was an online, first-come, first-served phase for tickets not sold in the lotteries.
During this phase, there was also an option to resell tickets at a set price.
US Soccer Sales
A number of tickets to each match were reserved for designated supporters of each team. For USMNT tickets, the eligible supporters were US Soccer Insider members who had joined before a specific date.
NOTE: Each nation establishes its own procedure for ticket sales to its supporters. US Soccer has been using a weighted lottery.
Currently Available Products (May 2025 Updates)
For those concerned that you may be missing out on something, here is an overview of what you can purchase at this time.
Hospitality Packages
On Location is the official distributor of Hospitality Package tickets for WC2026. The packages are on sale now at the following link: Hospitality Packages.
Here is a summary of each product, as it applies to the USMNT.Venue-Los Angeles Stadium example: The price of five Group, two Round of 32, and one Quarterfinal match across ranges from $20,300 to $32,380.
FIFA Club World Cup Ticket Packages
In April, FIFA announced that certain FIFA Club World Cup Ticket Packages would include the option to buy WC2026 tickets. Here’s the link, if you want to read more: FIFA Club World Cup Ticket Packages.
FIFA World Cup Trophy
The Right-To-Buy (RTB) Tickets
The FIFA Collect platform enables fans to secure a Right to Buy (RTB) ticket for the 2026 World Cup. At a later date, FIFA will provide you with an opportunity to purchase your actual match ticket. At that time, you will have to pay an undisclosed amount for your ticket, which is in addition to the amount you previously paid for the RTB. According to FIFA, tickets will be offered in multiple price categories; however, it has been reported that approximately 80% will be in Category 1 and 20% in Category 2.
Here are the multiple mechanisms through which you can obtain an RTB.
- Buy a packet that contains an RTB.
- Complete a challenge or reward that earns an RTB.
- Buy a resale RTB from a fan in the Marketplace.
After you enter the queue, I have heard of people waiting 30 minutes to 4 hours in the queue. When you select the match, the available tickets are shown - with much higher prices.
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