It’s been over 30 years since Americans have had the chance to watch their national soccer team play on their home turf.
They’ll get another chance next year, but it’ll cost them.
Fans could pay over $2,700 for a ticket to watch the USA’s first match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Paraguay, which is scheduled to take place in June at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
That far exceeds the estimated ticket prices included in the original joint bid submitted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to host the World Cup.
FIFA, which sets ticket prices, says it is using variable pricing to determine ticket costs, and “may adjust ticket prices throughout the sales phases based on a review of demand and availability for each match.”
The organization said it isn’t using dynamic pricing — when ticket prices change in real time based on demand and other factors — for the 2026 World Cup. In addition to third-party sites like StubHub, which sell tickets, FIFA offers a resale and exchange marketplace for fans.
FIFA launched its third phase of ticketing last week. Soon after the portal opened, fans took to social media, expressing shock over what they described as steep prices.
World Cup tickets are divided into four categories, with Category 1 selling the most expensive tickets and Category 4 the cheapest options.
As of Saturday, there are no available Category 4 tickets for the USA’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12. Instead, the cheapest ticket is selling for $1,120 under Category 3. The most expensive ticket costs $2,735, followed by $1,940.
The most expensive ticket for Mexico’s opening match against South Africa costs $2,355, and Canada’s opening match costs $2,170. Neither of those matches is offering Category 4 tickets.
As the tournament continues, ticket prices drop but are typically still far above original estimates.
When the USA faces off against Australia on June 19, the most affordable ticket is $265, while the most expensive is selling for $700. When the USA plays on June 25, fans will have to pay between $910 and $340.
Those prices are a far cry from what the United States, Canada, and Mexico estimated in their bid to host the tournament. The countries submitted a combined bid — dubbed the “United bid” — and were selected in 2018.
In their pitch, the countries estimated that a Category 1 ticket for an opening match would cost $774, followed by $614 for Category 2, $320 for Category 3, and $60 for Category 4.
Tickets for the final match were estimated to cost between $1,550 and $128. Under FIFA, the current final match prices — held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — start at $4,185. The most costly ticket is $8,680.
Despite the hefty price, fans eager to snag tickets in this phase can purchase them now until January 13.
The 23rd edition of the tournament will take place this summer in 16 cities across North America. The first game kicks off on June 11, and teams will play until the final match on July 19.
Read the original article on Business Insider
The post World Cup 2026 ticket prices blow past original projections as FIFA embraces variable pricing appeared first on Business Insider.
