2026 World Cup Tickets: Pricing, Availability and How to Get Yours

The 2026 World Cup brings plenty of excitement to North America.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026. / FIFA

The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico gearing up to jointly stage the biggest event in global sport.

This edition will mark a number of historic firsts—not only is it the first time three nations will co-host the tournament, but it will also debut an expanded format featuring 48 teams, up from the 32 that competed in Qatar in 2022.

With matches set to be held across North America, excitement is already building—and so is the rush for tickets. Fans from around the world are eager to lock in their spot early for what promises to be a landmark tournament.

Here’s what you need to know about when tickets go on sale, how to buy them, and some key tips for securing your seat at the 2026 World Cup.

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When is the 2026 World Cup?

Unlike the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which took place in November and December, the 2026 tournament will return to its traditional summer schedule, running from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

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When Do Tickets For the 2026 World Cup Go On Sale?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026. / FIFA/Getty

The first official ticket packages for the 2026 World Cup became available on May 6, 2025—but only for those looking for a premium experience.

In partnership with OnLocation, FIFA's exclusive hospitality provider, a range of high-end hospitality options were released, with prices starting at $5,300 per person and soaring up to an eye-watering $73,200.

This initial phase applies exclusively to matches held in the United States and includes three types of multi-match packages:

• Four-Match Series: A bundle offering hospitality access to four select games.
• Venue Series: Grants access to all matches at any of the 11 U.S. host cities.
• Follow My Team Series: Allows fans to follow a specific national team through the group stage, beginning at $6,600—despite final tournament qualification still being determined.

FIFA have now revealed the following stages of their ticketing process—starting on September 10—with details explained below for each phase.

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2026 World Cup Ticket Release Phases Explained

Visa Presale Draw—FIFA will begin their general sale with the “Visa Presale Draw” between September 10-19. Fans can enter a lottery to win the opportunity to purchase tickets, but must have a Visa credit card, debit card or prepaid card to be applicable for the draw. This is due to Visa’s sponsorship of the World Cup. FIFA will randomly select an unspecified number of fans from the lottery and give them the chance to purchase tickets “subject to availability” at a specific date and time in October.

Early Ticket Draw—After the Visa Presale Draw concludes, a near identical opportunity will arise for fans but without the Visa requirements. At present, it’s slated to take place between October 27-31, but those dates could change.

Official World Cup Draw—After the dates, times and locations of all matches are revealed following the World Cup draw on December 5, another lottery will open up “shortly after” for fans.

Open Sale—After all random draws have been completed, tickets will be available to buy on a “first-come, first-served” basis.

Resale Tickets—Resale tickets can be purchased directly from FIFA within a designated platform on its website.

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Ticket Pricing and Categories

World Cup tickets are a bit like gold dust. / PA Images/IMAGO

Regular, non-hospitality World Cup tickets are divided into four pricing categories based on seat location. Category 1, the most expensive, typically includes seats near the halfway line. Category 2 covers the corners of the stadium and is slightly less expensive, while Category 3 includes seats behind the goals and is more affordable. Category 4, also behind the goals, is generally the least expensive and may be reserved for residents of the host country.

As expected, seats near the center of the pitch will cost more than those in the corners or behind the goals. Similarly, group stage tickets tend to be cheaper than those for the knockout rounds or final.

FIFA have revealed they will be using a dynamic pricing model for World Cup tickets, meaning prices will vary depending on demand. They have revealed that the cheapest possible ticket is $60 but prices are expected to fluctuate wildly and will almost certainly rise at various points in the coming months.

FIFA have stated that, at present, the most expensive ticket for the final is $6,730.

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How to Purchase Tickets

How to Secure Your 2026 World Cup Tickets Online

FIFA stresses that buying tickets from unofficial websites is unsafe and that the safest way to acquire tickets is through the governing body's website.

To do this, you'll need to create a FIFA account on the official website and 'register interest' using this link.

Popular payment methods accepted by FIFA are Visa and Mastercard. Should you land tickets for the World Cup, you can expect to receive confirmation via email. It's extremely important to be wary of fraudulent ticket websites that will claim to have tickets available way ahead of the actual release date next year.

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Ticket Availability by Region (USA, Mexico, Canada)

Fans based in North America may get easier access to tickets. / Xinhua/IMAGO

How to Get Tickets for Matches in the USA, Mexico, and Canada

Sixteen stadiums will showcase the excitement of the 2026 World Cup, with iconic venues such as Estadio Azteca, MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), and AT&T Stadium (Dallas) among the key locations where fans will gather.

Residents of the host countries—USA, Mexico, and Canada—are expected to have priority access to tickets, potentially with more options available and at lower prices compared to international buyers, making it more affordable for locals. However, that has not yet been confirmed by FIFA.

While traveling to all three host nations to watch matches may seem enticing, remember that travel expenses, including flights and accommodation, must be factored in, as the tournament spans across North America.

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Ticket Reselling and Transfers

Official Guidelines for Reselling and Transferring 2026 World Cup Tickets

FIFA permits fans to resell tickets, but only through its official ticketing portal. Detailed information on FIFA's ticket transfer and resale policy, based on the 2022 World Cup, can be found here.

In Canada, for example, resellers must report the sale and pay taxes on any income generated from it.

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Tips for Securing Tickets

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting 2026 World Cup Tickets

One way to increase your chances of getting 2026 World Cup tickets is by registering interest early and staying up-to-date with ticketing news and having notifications enabled for updates. Additionally, be sure to have multiple devices ready to give yourself the best chance of scoring tickets.

Another strategy to try to get 2026 World Cup tickets is having multiple family members/friends apply for the tickets. Each person applying for tickets would be the main applicant and can list guests that would attend the match with them.

If the initial phases sell out, don't lose hope just yet. Routinely check the official FIFA ticketing portal to see if any other fans are unable to attend certain matches and have put their tickets up for resale.

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Accommodation and Travel Tips for Ticket Holders

Airbnb could be a good option for accommodation at the 2026 World Cup. / Future Images/IMAGO

Accommodation and Travel Tips for 2026 World Cup Ticket Holders

If you manage to secure tickets, it's a good idea to book hotel accommodations as early as possible to avoid inflated prices closer to the start of the tournament in June 2026. Waiting until just weeks or months before the event could result in significantly higher costs.

Airbnb offers an alternative to traditional hotels, often providing similar amenities while being located in private homes or apartments. Considering the high cost of flights, taking buses to the matches across the host countries may be a more budget-friendly travel option, though renting a car is another viable choice.

Keep an eye out for special package deals that include both accommodations and tickets for the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, make sure you have a valid passport if you're traveling from outside the host countries, and be sure to apply for the necessary visas if you plan to attend matches in different countries.

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