Fans face eye-watering costs as resale market explodes ahead of tournament
Ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have surged dramatically on the organisation’s official resale platform, with some seats now listed at multiples of their original face value, weeks after the main sales phase concluded in January.
According to FIFA, a “category three” seat for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on June 11 is now listed at $5,324, up from its original price of $895. Meanwhile, tickets for the final on July 19 at East Rutherford, New Jersey, are being advertised for as much as $143,750, more than 41 times the initial face value of $3,450. The cheapest resale ticket for the final currently costs $9,775.
While a few tickets have dropped in price—for instance, Austria’s group match against Jordan at Levi’s Stadium is available for $552, down from $620—most prices reflect a booming secondary market.
Fan groups have criticised the resale surge as exploitative. Guillaume Aupretre, spokesperson for French national team supporters group Irresistibles Français, said:
“These exorbitant prices unfortunately don’t surprise me… Who pays the price? The passionate fans who end up with outrageous offers. We would prefer that this benefit real fans, but unfortunately, that’s not the case.”
FIFA’s Position on Resale
FIFA acts as a facilitator on its resale platform, charging a 15% fee, while resellers set their own prices. The football body maintains that the system reflects market practices for major sporting and entertainment events, particularly in host nations, and that it is committed to ensuring fair access for fans.
The resale market is largely unregulated in the United States and Canada. In Mexico, selling a ticket above face value is prohibited only when purchased in local currency. FIFA has also introduced a small number of $60 tickets for official supporters groups, though critics argue this does little to address affordability issues.
FIFA has already notified applicants for the second sales phase, which ended in January, and plans a “last-minute” sales phase from April until the end of the tournament on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices will vary according to demand, but FIFA says it does not use dynamic pricing that automatically adjusts ticket costs.
