Full Breakdown
FIFA World Cup 2026: Eye-Popping Resale Ticket Prices
4/24/2026, 2:36:39 AM
Record-High Resale Prices for World Cup Final Tickets
The resale market for tickets to the FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has reached unprecedented levels, with some tickets listed for nearly $2.3 million. FIFA's Resale/Exchange Marketplace features four tickets priced at $2,299,998.85, located behind a goal in the lower deck. Other tickets for the final are listed at significantly lower prices, such as $207,000 and $138,000, but still reflect a dramatic increase compared to face value. The lowest-priced tickets available on the resale market are listed at $10,923.85.
FIFA does not regulate the asking prices on its resale platform, opting instead to charge a 15% fee on both purchases and resales. This means that if a ticket sells for $2.3 million, FIFA stands to earn $690,000 from that transaction. In contrast, during the 2022 World Cup, FIFA capped resale prices and charged lower fees, which has changed for the upcoming tournament due to the less regulated secondary market in the United States and Canada.
High Prices Across the Tournament
The trend of exorbitant ticket prices is not limited to the final. For example, tickets for the US group stage finale against Turkey on June 25 are priced at $2,970 and $1,345. In Vancouver, tickets for the Round of 16 match are listed at $1 million, while a ticket for the Canada-Switzerland group stage game is priced at $1.15 million. Other notable listings include tickets for various matches priced over $40,000, with some reaching as high as $888,000 for the New Zealand versus Egypt game.
Criticism of Resale Practices
Critics have raised concerns about the lack of regulation in the resale market, arguing that the high prices could alienate average fans from attending the matches. The decision by FIFA to allow unrestricted resale prices has been met with skepticism, as it appears to prioritize profit over accessibility. Critics argue that this approach could lead to a situation where only wealthy individuals can afford to attend key matches.
Official Statements & Responses
FIFA has not publicly commented on the specific high prices listed on its resale marketplace. However, the organization has stated that the decision to not cap resale prices was made to discourage scalpers from utilizing third-party sites like StubHub. This policy shift has drawn mixed reactions from fans and analysts alike.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the resale prices for tickets have been reported consistently across various sources, there is a lack of clarity regarding the total number of tickets available for resale and the overall impact on fan attendance. Additionally, the prices listed on third-party sites like StubHub and SeatGeek vary significantly, with some tickets listed at over $100,000, while others remain below that threshold.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The cheapest tickets for most of the games start at over $1,000 on the resale market, and seeing prices over $10,000 in the Category 1 section (the lower bowl areas) is not abnormal.” — Source not specified
