World Cup ticket sales are commencing, and obtaining them might prove challenging, possibly expensive as well.

FIFA Unveils New Ticket Sales Method for 2026 World Cup

The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has introduced an innovative ticket sales method for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Known as "right to buys," or RTBs, these tickets offer a guaranteed opportunity to purchase tickets for specific games, including the final.

FIFA will also operate a resale platform for ticket holders who no longer want to attend a match. This platform will provide a second chance for fans to secure tickets for games they missed out on initially.

The first opportunity to purchase regular tickets for the 2026 World Cup will be available on September 10 and will end on September 19. However, this privilege is limited to eligible VISA cardholders who have registered their interest with FIFA. Successful applicants will be provided with a specific date and time slot to buy tickets starting on October 1, through a lottery system.

Ticket prices for the World Cup will start at $60 per game, but prices may fluctuate based on demand. This marks a first for the World Cup, as prices have traditionally remained consistent. The most exclusive tickets for the final could reach up to $6,730.

Demand for World Cup tickets may exceed supply, making getting tickets difficult. To address this issue, FIFA will also offer other opportunities to buy tickets, including in late October, after the group draw, and next year.

The 2026 World Cup is expected to attract over 5 million people, shattering the previous record of 3.5 million spectators set in 1994. The tournament will consist of 48 teams, more than the 32 that participated in the previous World Cup in Qatar.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in various venues, including MetLife Stadium, which has a capacity of over 80,000. Venue-specific ticket packages and national team-specific ticket packages will also be available.

FIFA's primary focus is on distributing the money it raises from its tournaments to support the growth of soccer worldwide. The combination of variable pricing and more games is likely to lead to the most profitable World Cup tournament ever, with estimates of FIFA potentially raking in $4.4 billion.

In Mexico, the resale platform will operate as an exchange platform, meaning buyers can receive up to the amount they spent buying a ticket from FIFA, and no more. Prices for RTBs range from the hundreds of dollars for guaranteed opportunities to buy playoff games down to cheaper "surprise packs" that may or may not contain an RTB.

Hospitality tickets for the 2026 World Cup are available and offer access to reserved seating areas, food, and beverages. However, they are pricey and currently range from $1,350 to over $73,200.

During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, buyers who wanted to score tickets had a success rate of only about 15%. With the new ticket sales method and the increased number of games, fans have a better chance of securing tickets for the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA is responsible for the allocation of regular tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The ticket sales method, along with the increased number of games and the resale platform, aims to make ticket buying more accessible and fair for fans.

World Cup ticket sales are commencing, and obtaining them might prove challenging, possibly expensive as well.