World Cup Ticket Prices Soar Under FIFA’s New System

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico is set to become the most expensive sporting event in history for fans, according to analysts. Under FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the organization has radically overhauled its ticketing system and, for the first time, taken direct control of ticket distribution, The Economist reported.

FIFA has also introduced dynamic pricing, meaning ticket prices rise in line with demand.

The cheapest group-stage tickets average around $200, while prices for the final started above $2,000. Some tickets for the tournament’s deciding match reportedly sold for as much as $2m. Fans hoping to attend all three of Brazil’s group-stage matches would pay roughly $3,800 – the highest total for any national team.

FIFA has additionally launched an official secondary marketplace, from which it collects a 15% commission from both buyers and sellers.

Adjusted for inflation, ticket prices are now more than double those of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and roughly four times higher than at the 1994 tournament in the United States.

Analysts warn that excessively high prices could deter traditional football supporters and ultimately damage the atmosphere of the competition.

(max)