With just 100 days to the start of the FIFA World Cup in North America, the cost of attending matches has drawn widespread attention, as ticket prices range from nearly 900 dollars for the opening game to more than 8,000 dollars for the final.
According to world football body FIFA, close to seven million tickets have been made available for the tournament. Each buyer is allowed to purchase up to four tickets per match and no more than 40 tickets overall.
About two million tickets were sold during the first ballot held in October. A second lottery phase between December and January reportedly attracted over 500 million applications. FIFA has not disclosed the exact number of tickets allocated during that phase, but confirmed that some matches recorded particularly high demand, including the final scheduled for July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
This year’s tournament will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, making it the largest edition in World Cup history. However, prices for popular fixtures have risen sharply. Although early promises suggested tickets might start at 21 dollars, the lowest publicly available tickets have been priced at around 60 dollars. Many high-profile matches cost 200 dollars or more, while final tickets begin at about 2,000 dollars, with premium seats reaching nearly 8,700 dollars.
On resale platforms, prices have climbed even higher. On FIFA’s official resale site, one final ticket was listed at over 140,000 dollars, far exceeding its original price. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the pricing reflects strong demand and pointed to dynamic pricing systems, particularly in the United States, where costs fluctuate based on market interest.
In response to criticism, FIFA introduced a limited number of lower-priced tickets at 60 dollars. However, these were reserved for fans of participating teams and represent only a small portion of each country’s allocation.
Hospitality packages combining match entry with access to VIP lounges are also on sale. For example, packages for a France versus Senegal match in New Jersey range between 2,900 and 4,500 dollars.
FIFA plans to release additional tickets from April on a first come, first served basis. Meanwhile, resale markets in the United States and Canada remain largely unregulated, allowing sellers to set their own prices. In Mexico, reselling above face value is restricted, but only under specific purchasing conditions.
Beyond ticket costs, travelling supporters must also budget for extra expenses. Parking fees at some stadiums are high, with charges reaching 100 dollars in Atlanta and up to 300 dollars in Los Angeles.
For those without match tickets, Fan Festivals will be held across the 16 host cities. These public viewing zones are expected to attract thousands of supporters, offering an alternative way to experience the tournament atmosphere.
As excitement builds, the rising cost of attendance remains a major talking point ahead of football’s biggest event.
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