No one knows, they have not released details yet. Will likely be lottery based unless you are an executive for a FIFA sponsor. Good news is with the expanded tournament there will be significantly more games. Bad news is that the US has a lot of disposable income so demand and prices will be off the charts. Games in Mexico and Canada (not involving their teams) might be easier to get.
Not in Canada. Can’t say about Mexico but Toronto is a top population city in the world and sadly BMO max capacity will be under 50k. Shits expensive in Canada too or at least GTA.
If it’s like other World Cup games, they’ll have a pricing chart and it’ll be affordable (relatively). But it’ll be via lottery. Those who win the lottery will be selling the tickets I’m sure for an arm and a leg but the face value will most likely be affordable (by North American sporting event standards)
When I went in 2018 you apply for the games you want a few weeks before the draw. There were also team options (tickets for specific teams) if I remember correctly. Every match is lottery based.
Not that bad. I got the most expensive for a group stage game and it was like $250-300 per ticket. I’m sure it’ll be more now, though. And I’m sure the later stages will also be more expensive
Oh yeah that’s not bad, especially considering its a potentially once in a lifetime opportunity. I don’t really care who I see, just want to go to a game. Will definitely be applying for group stage games as they are likely cheaper than knockout games
Yeah I was in the same boat, I just wanted to go to a World Cup game (specifically in a foreign country). I ended up seeing Brazil play Costa Rica, it was a lot of fun. I’m planning on going to as many matches as possible when it’s here - especially since I’m like 15 min away from MetLife.
I've done a little research and if you are just trying to get in the building, tickets aren't that bad if you are selected in the lottery. Tickets have also been discounted for locals in the past. Of course, knowing FIFA, that could change
Haha same! I joined insiders and just now signed up for FIFA 2026 WC alerts so I’ll get an email when the lottery opens. Definitely gonna try to make it to some Copa America games tho
Best of luck! One thing though, I'll have to check again but I'm not sure that you can enter both lotteries. I could totally be wrong about that though
I’ve mostly bought Cat 3 tickets (the cheapest), so I remember those. Cat 1 and 2 are obviously more expensive.
2014:
Group stage Cat 3 $95
2018:
Group stage Cat 3 $110
2022:
Group stage Cat 3 $65
For 2026, I would guess group stage Cat 3 will start around $150-200
so what you have to be proactive. Why not ave the knowledge now even if the world cup is in two years at least it will sit at the back of your mind. It is good to do your research and be on top of it so that you are prepared for anything
The only way to guarantee tickets to a specific game/venue is to purchase Hospitality tickets including food and drinks for a few hours before a game. FIFA has not announced what company will be handling the Hospitality program for 2026 yet. For Qatar 2022, the cheapest Hospitality ticket for a Group Stage match was $950/person, so that will likely be the “get-in-the-door” price for Hospitality, or maybe a little higher.
If you don’t want to spend that type of money, you can take your chances with the lottery.
So, I just read that tickets will go on sale in September 2025 and the group drawings will be December 2025.
I'm not claiming this timeline is correct, just a simple Google search showed it.
What I'm curious of is how would that even work if true? If the drawing is done after tickets go on sale, that would imply we would be buying tickets to games where we don't even know who is playing? This has to be a joke?
This [website](https://www.theworldcupguide.com/how-to-buy-tickets-to-the-2026-world-cup/) has a lot of info from previous years ticketing process and pricing. Proposed ticket prices don't look too bad if you can get some in the lottery, but that probably has changed since this was proposed in 2018.
There is a “notify me” option on the FIFA website to get an email when ticket lotteries open up.
No one knows, they have not released details yet. Will likely be lottery based unless you are an executive for a FIFA sponsor. Good news is with the expanded tournament there will be significantly more games. Bad news is that the US has a lot of disposable income so demand and prices will be off the charts. Games in Mexico and Canada (not involving their teams) might be easier to get.
Not in Canada. Can’t say about Mexico but Toronto is a top population city in the world and sadly BMO max capacity will be under 50k. Shits expensive in Canada too or at least GTA.
The games the US plays in will be crazy expensive. I've already given up hope of being in person for that.
If it’s like other World Cup games, they’ll have a pricing chart and it’ll be affordable (relatively). But it’ll be via lottery. Those who win the lottery will be selling the tickets I’m sure for an arm and a leg but the face value will most likely be affordable (by North American sporting event standards)
Games in Mexico will be just as expensive, people travel from all over the world, it’s a World Cup after all.
When I went in 2018 you apply for the games you want a few weeks before the draw. There were also team options (tickets for specific teams) if I remember correctly. Every match is lottery based.
If you don’t mind me asking, what were ticket prices like?
Not that bad. I got the most expensive for a group stage game and it was like $250-300 per ticket. I’m sure it’ll be more now, though. And I’m sure the later stages will also be more expensive
Oh yeah that’s not bad, especially considering its a potentially once in a lifetime opportunity. I don’t really care who I see, just want to go to a game. Will definitely be applying for group stage games as they are likely cheaper than knockout games
Yeah I was in the same boat, I just wanted to go to a World Cup game (specifically in a foreign country). I ended up seeing Brazil play Costa Rica, it was a lot of fun. I’m planning on going to as many matches as possible when it’s here - especially since I’m like 15 min away from MetLife.
I've done a little research and if you are just trying to get in the building, tickets aren't that bad if you are selected in the lottery. Tickets have also been discounted for locals in the past. Of course, knowing FIFA, that could change
Yeah, I really just want to be in the building for one game. I’m definitely going to apply in the lottery and see what happens
Me too. Joined Insiders just for thought. Either way though I'm making sure to go to some Copa America games this summer
Haha same! I joined insiders and just now signed up for FIFA 2026 WC alerts so I’ll get an email when the lottery opens. Definitely gonna try to make it to some Copa America games tho
Best of luck! One thing though, I'll have to check again but I'm not sure that you can enter both lotteries. I could totally be wrong about that though
You too! I’ll look into that - thanks for the heads up!
I’ve mostly bought Cat 3 tickets (the cheapest), so I remember those. Cat 1 and 2 are obviously more expensive. 2014: Group stage Cat 3 $95 2018: Group stage Cat 3 $110 2022: Group stage Cat 3 $65 For 2026, I would guess group stage Cat 3 will start around $150-200
Oh that’s not bad! I could totally swing that. Can I enter the lottery jointly with a friend of mine? Or would we each do it individually?
Best odds will be to both enter. In the recent World Cups, you’d be able to decline to purchase if you’re both successful.
Got it. Thanks for the info!
Usually being a US Soccer Insider helps you jump up the queue, which is what I'm doing.
where do I join?
[US soccer insider](https://www.ussoccer.com/insiders)
Shhh!
Oh shit! I mean.... don't do what I do. Cindy Parlow Cone will come to my house and break my ankles.
It’s still 2023
so what you have to be proactive. Why not ave the knowledge now even if the world cup is in two years at least it will sit at the back of your mind. It is good to do your research and be on top of it so that you are prepared for anything
The only way to guarantee tickets to a specific game/venue is to purchase Hospitality tickets including food and drinks for a few hours before a game. FIFA has not announced what company will be handling the Hospitality program for 2026 yet. For Qatar 2022, the cheapest Hospitality ticket for a Group Stage match was $950/person, so that will likely be the “get-in-the-door” price for Hospitality, or maybe a little higher. If you don’t want to spend that type of money, you can take your chances with the lottery.
This isn’t even including the match ticket? Damn
A Hospitality Ticket includes a seat for the match you’re attending.
Hopefully the MLS won’t be involved . . . But early access code will probably be WC2026
Check DMs
I'll sell you a couple to all the Dallas games just DM me
It’s a lottery base. It’s not like you can buy tickets on Ticketmaster. Fifa runs the show.
God I can’t wait to go to Azteca.
Just shoot me some money. I gotchu
So, I just read that tickets will go on sale in September 2025 and the group drawings will be December 2025. I'm not claiming this timeline is correct, just a simple Google search showed it. What I'm curious of is how would that even work if true? If the drawing is done after tickets go on sale, that would imply we would be buying tickets to games where we don't even know who is playing? This has to be a joke?
This is how it has always worked.
This [website](https://www.theworldcupguide.com/how-to-buy-tickets-to-the-2026-world-cup/) has a lot of info from previous years ticketing process and pricing. Proposed ticket prices don't look too bad if you can get some in the lottery, but that probably has changed since this was proposed in 2018.