World Cup 2026 Ticket Prices: Full Breakdown by Round & Category
How much do World Cup 2026 tickets cost? Group stage from $70, final up to $8,700. Full price breakdown by round and category.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 teams playing 104 matches across 16 venues in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Understanding ticket pricing is essential for planning your budget, whether you want to attend a single group match or follow a team through the entire tournament.
FIFA uses a tiered pricing structure based on the round of the tournament and the seating category within each stadium. All official face-value prices are set by FIFA and are uniform across venues for each round.
Official Price Categories Explained
FIFA divides stadium seating into three main categories for the 2026 World Cup:
Category 1 tickets offer the best views, typically located in the lower bowl along the sidelines and behind the goals at pitch level. These are the premium seats with the closest proximity to the action.
Category 2 seats are positioned in the lower and middle tiers with good sightlines but further from the pitch than Category 1. These offer a solid balance between view quality and affordability.
Category 3 tickets are the most affordable option, generally located in the upper tiers of each stadium. While further from the field, modern stadium design means even upper-deck seats provide a reasonable viewing experience, especially at larger venues like MetLife Stadium (82,500 capacity) and AT&T Stadium (80,000 capacity).
In addition to the standard three categories, FIFA offers hospitality packages that include premium seating, food and beverage service, and lounge access. These start at approximately $950 per match.
Group Stage Ticket Prices
The group stage runs from June 11 to June 28, 2026, with 48 matches played across all 16 venues. Group stage tickets are the most accessible and affordable way to experience the World Cup live.
Face-value pricing for group stage matches:
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | $220 - $400 |
| Category 2 | $150 - $250 |
| Category 3 | $70 - $150 |
The variation within each category depends on the specific match. Group matches featuring high-profile teams like Brazil, Argentina, France, or host nation USA tend to sit at the higher end of each range. Matches between smaller nations at less prominent venues may be priced at the lower end.
Category 3 group stage tickets at $70 represent the absolute cheapest way to attend a World Cup match in person. These are typically available for matches between lower-seeded teams and are most accessible during the FIFA lottery phase.
Knockout Round Prices
The knockout stage begins with the Round of 32 on June 29 and progresses through the Round of 16 and quarterfinals. All knockout matches from the quarterfinals onward take place exclusively at US venues.
Round of 32 (June 29 - July 2):
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | $350 - $500 |
| Category 2 | $200 - $350 |
| Category 3 | $120 - $200 |
Round of 16 (July 3 - 6):
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | $400 - $600 |
| Category 2 | $250 - $400 |
| Category 3 | $150 - $250 |
Quarterfinals (July 9 - 10):
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | $500 - $800 |
| Category 2 | $350 - $500 |
| Category 3 | $200 - $350 |
Knockout round prices increase at each stage because demand grows as the field narrows and the stakes rise. Quarterfinal tickets are particularly sought after because they feature eight confirmed teams, making it easier for fans to plan around specific matchups.
Semifinal and Final Prices
The semifinals and final represent the pinnacle of the tournament, and ticket prices reflect the enormous global demand.
Semifinals (July 15 - 16):
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | $800 - $1,200 |
| Category 2 | $500 - $800 |
| Category 3 | $300 - $500 |
Final — MetLife Stadium, July 19:
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | $1,600 - $8,700 |
| Category 2 | $900 - $1,500 |
| Category 3 | $500 - $900 |
The World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, commands the highest prices of any single sporting event on the planet. Category 1 prices span a wide range because FIFA subdivides premium seating into multiple tiers, with the best midfield lower-bowl seats reaching $8,700 at face value.
For context, these face-value prices are set by FIFA. The resale market for the Final is expected to push prices well beyond $10,000 for premium seats, based on historical trends from the 2022 Qatar Final.
Resale Market Price Expectations
The official FIFA resale platform allows ticket holders to sell tickets they can no longer use at or below face value. However, the secondary market through authorized resellers like StubHub and SeatGeek operates on supply and demand, meaning prices are often significantly higher than face value.
Expected resale market multipliers:
- Group stage (lower-profile matches): 1.5x - 2x face value
- Group stage (USA, Argentina, Brazil, etc.): 2x - 4x face value
- Round of 16 and quarterfinals: 2x - 5x face value
- Semifinals: 3x - 6x face value
- Final: 4x - 10x face value
These estimates are based on patterns from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, adjusted for the larger stadium capacities in the US. The 2026 tournament benefits from having more seats available — MetLife Stadium alone holds 82,500 compared to Lusail Stadium’s 80,000 in Qatar — which should moderate resale premiums slightly.
How to Get the Best Deal
Securing tickets at or near face value requires planning and timing. Here are the most effective strategies:
Apply during the FIFA lottery phase. This is the first and best opportunity to get face-value tickets. Success is random, so apply for multiple matches to improve your odds. There is no cost to enter the lottery.
Target less popular group matches. Matches between lower-seeded teams at mid-tier venues tend to have lower demand. If your priority is simply experiencing the World Cup atmosphere rather than seeing a specific team, these matches offer the best value.
Monitor the FIFA resale platform. Ticket holders who can no longer attend are required to resell through FIFA’s official platform at face value or below. Check frequently in the weeks and days leading up to matches, as releases happen in waves.
Compare secondary market prices. If you are buying from StubHub, SeatGeek, or Viagogo, compare prices across all platforms. Prices can vary by 20-30% between resellers for the same match and section. Factor in service fees, which typically add 15-25% on top of the listed price.
Buy early or buy late. Resale prices tend to be highest about 2-4 weeks before a match, when demand peaks and supply tightens. Prices are often lower immediately after tickets first hit the resale market, and again in the final 24-48 hours before a match when sellers become motivated to avoid having unused tickets.
All prices shown are approximate face values based on FIFA’s announced pricing structure and historical data. Actual prices may vary. Always purchase through official channels or authorized resellers to ensure ticket validity.