Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup skyrocket up to 514% on resale after draw

FIFA released the complete calendar for Copa and Mundo in 2026, held in Estados Unidos, Canadá and México, which caused an immediate spike in ticket resale values. The draw of the groups and the definition of the matches, which took place on December 5th and 6th, 2025, drove average increases of almost 300% in 78 of the 91 games scheduled in the northern host countries. Essa elevation reflects high demand for matchups involving popular teams, such as Portugal and Argentina, in an expanded tournament to 48 teams.

Data from platforms like StubHub and SeatGeek indicate that the lowest entry prices for high-demand games surpassed US$2,000 shortly after the announcement, with peaks of up to US$3,000 in some cases. The world football governing body does not impose limits on resale in the USA and Canadá, which facilitates speculation in the secondary market. No México, legal restrictions keep values ​​more controlled for the 13 local games.

The third phase of the official ticket lottery opens on December 11, 2025, with registrations until January 13, 2026, but resale values ​​already far exceed primary prices, which range from US$60 to more than US$7,000 for the final.

• Top games with biggest increases: Portugal x Colômbia (514%, US$2,189), Escócia x
• Lowest Demand Departures: Uzbequistão x Playoff Intercontinental at Atlanta (42% drop, $197).
• Knockout stages: Ingressos for round of 16 in stadiums like

Factors behind the rise in values

The increase in resale prices is mainly due to the presence of stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, from Portugal, and Lionel Messi, from Argentina, in their probable last Copas from Esses players attract the greatest interest in the USA, where football is gaining popularity, increasing speculation immediately after the draw. Partidas of round of 16 also registered increases, as possible clashes were outlined.

Monitoring platforms like TicketData record updates every five minutes, showing real-time fluctuations for all 104 games. The lack of regulation in the North American secondary market allows sellers to define values ​​freely, contrasting with previous editions where FIFA limited markups.

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Official platforms and secondary market

FIFA has launched its official resale platform, FIFA Collect, which charges a 15% fee to both buyers and sellers, in line with industry standards in the US. Ingressos transferred via this system include QR code verification, guaranteeing authenticity, but prices already reach tens of thousands of dollars for premium categories.

On the secondary market, sites like StubHub offer options starting at US$163 for low-demand games, but the average for group stages exceeds US$2,488. The entity estimates that more than 326 thousand tickets are circulating in resales, with more than 2 million already sold in the primary since October 2025.

Buyers should prioritize verified channels to avoid fraud, especially with the recent giveaway attracting opportunistic resellers. The FIFA platform does not prioritize early lottery entries, with random selections in February 2026.

Comparison with previous editions of Copa

Tickets for the 2022 Copa, at Catar, cost from US$11 for residents to US$1,600 for the final, prices much lower than the current prices. FIFA’s dynamic pricing strategy for 2026, adjusted in real time by demand, raised initial levels by multiples, with the final jumping from US$6,730 to US$7,000 in November 2025.

This approach, criticized by fan groups as excessive, aims to capture the hosts’ growing interest in the tournament. However, resale without price caps represents a radical change, adapting to the deregulated model of North American sport.

Data shows that, before the draw, generic matches cost less than US$400; post-announcement, speculation doubled values ​​in 78% of games.

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Demand for specific selections

Portugal and Argentina lead the increases, with games in Miami Gardens and other venues reaching peaks of 514%. The Scottish premiere since 1998, against Brasil and Marrocos, increased tickets by more than 100%, reflecting the appeal of new narratives.

Host teams such as USA, Canadá and México maintain stable prices at their headquarters, with domestic exclusivity in the second phase of sales. However, international clashes, such as África do Sul x México at the opening on June 11, 2026, already list resales above R$1.3 million equivalent on some platforms.

The expansion to 48 teams extends the calendar from June 11 to July 19, 2026, distributing 104 matches in 16 cities, which dilutes the offer and puts pressure on values.

Tips for Safely Purchasing Tickets

Fans must create a FIFA ID account on the official website to participate in the lottery, with random registrations with no time advantage. Preços primaries use variable dynamics but remain below resale, encouraging direct purchases.

Monitor fluctuations in tools like TicketData to identify drops in less attractive games, common closer to the event. Evite unverified offers as fraud increases post-draw.

Hospitality packages, not included in the general lottery, offer premium seats but cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Tickets for the final at MetLife

Impact of price dynamics on affordability

FIFA partially backed away from full dynamic pricing after criticism, reserving fixed lots for specific fan categories such as local residents. Essa measure aims to balance inclusion in a tournament projected to be the largest in history.

However, the secondary model without caps allows markups of up to 10 times the original value, as seen in a $2,030 down payment for the final relisted at $25,000. Grupos of fans argue that this privatizes access, favoring high-income buyers.

The official FIFA platform aligns fees at 15%, generating additional revenue worth billions in addition to primary sales estimated at 15% of total inventory.