Scoring World Cup Tickets Won't Be Easy or Cheap: FIFA's New Pricing System and Multiple Sales Dates Ahead of 2026 Tournament

The 2026 World Cup ticket sales are set to begin on September 10, with prices expected to adjust based on demand. The first window for eligible VISA cardholders will be open from September 10 to 19, with ticket sales opening on October 1 for those who are selected through a lottery. The tournament will be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with 104 games to be played.

The 2026 World Cup ticket sales are set to commence on September 10, with dynamic pricing expected to adjust based on demand. The first window for eligible VISA cardholders will be open from September 10 to 19, with ticket sales opening on October 1 for those selected through a lottery system. The tournament, spanning the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 104 games.

Dynamic Pricing and Ticket Allocation

FIFA has announced a dynamic pricing strategy for the 2026 World Cup, with ticket prices ranging from $60 for group-stage seats to $6,730 for final tickets. The pricing will adapt based on remaining inventory and demand levels [1]. The cheapest Category 4 tickets will cost $60, though the exact percentage of stadium capacity these seats represent remains unspecified.

Ticket Sales Phases and Eligibility

The initial ticket sales will occur through a lottery system, beginning with a Visa Presale Draw from September 10 to 19. Fans can enter the draw using a Visa credit, debit, or prepaid card. Successful applicants will receive a date and time slot in October to purchase tickets, subject to availability. A similar lottery phase will follow for non-Visa cardholders, opening around October 27 [2].

Resale Market and Hospitality

FIFA will launch its own resale platform within its ticketing website and app, without price caps, to maintain a regulated environment for ticket resales. Popular resale sites like StubHub will also advertise tickets, but FIFA’s decision to not cap prices on its own platform should keep most sellers and buyers within the FIFA ticketing ecosystem. Hospitality packages, including match tickets, are already on sale and cost thousands of dollars per person.

Ticket Categories and Quantity Limits

Tickets are categorized based on stadium sections, with lower-level seats (Category 1) being more expensive than upper-level seats (Category 4). Fans can buy up to 40 tickets across 10 matches per person. Additional ticket types, such as supporter and conditional supporter tickets, are expected to be available closer to the tournament [2].

Conclusion

The 2026 World Cup ticket sales strategy, characterized by dynamic pricing and a multi-phase lottery system, aims to provide a fair and regulated process for fans to secure tickets. With the tournament set to generate over $3 billion from hospitality and ticket sales, the dynamic pricing strategy is designed to maximize revenue while ensuring availability for fans.

References

[1] https://soccer.realgm.com/wiretap/11538/FIFA-Sets-Dynamic-Pricing-For-2026-World-Cup-With-$60-$6730-Range

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6593924/2025/09/03/world-cup-2026-tickets-how-to-buy/