2026 World Cup Ticket Prices Up Over 1,000% Since 2022 — How Do They Compare to Past Tournaments?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, with the number of participating nations rising from 32 to 48.

It will also be the most expensive World Cup in history, with some fans paying as much as $6,370 for a single ticket — and that is directly from FIFA, not on the black market.

The first batch of official ticket prices has now been released. The cheapest ticket for the opening match — featuring Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on June 11 — is currently $560. That represents a staggering 918% increase from 2022, when the most affordable seat for Qatar vs Ecuador cost just $55.

Meanwhile, the cheapest ticket for the 2026 World Cup final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is listed at $2,030 — almost 10 times the price of a Category 4 seat for the equivalent fixture in Qatar.

2026 World Cup ticket prices

Match Type	Cat 1	Cat 2	Cat 3	Cat 4
Opening Match	$2,735	$1,940	$1,120	$560
Group Matches	$575	$430	$150	$100
Round of 16	$890	$675	$330	$220
Quarter-finals	$1,690	$1,150	$725	$410
Semi-finals	$2,780	$1,920	$720	$455
Third-place Match	$1,000	$715	$360	$165
Final	$6,370	$4,210	$2,790	$2,030

How do 2026 World Cup ticket prices compare to 2022?

Across every round and pricing category, tickets for the 2026 World Cup are dramatically more expensive than those sold for Qatar 2022. For the opening match alone, Category 1 prices have risen by $2,117 (343%), Category 2 by $1,500 (341%), Category 3 by $818 (271%), and Category 4 by $505 — a 918% increase.

The pattern continues throughout the group stage, where Category 1 tickets are up $355 (161%), Category 2 up $265 (161%), Category 3 up $81 (117%), and Category 4 up $89 (809%). The increases are even more dramatic in the knockout rounds. For the Round of 16, Category 1 tickets cost $615 (224%) more than in 2022, Category 2 are up $469 (228%), Category 3 up $234 (244%), and Category 4 up $201 — a surge of 1,058%.

Quarter-final prices have soared too, with Cat 1 costing $1,264 (297%) more, Cat 2 up $862 (299%), Cat 3 up $519 (252%), and Cat 4 up $328 (400%). For the semi-finals, Category 1 tickets are up $1,824 (191%), Category 2 up $1,261 (191%), Category 3 up $363 (102%), and Category 4 up $318 (232%). Even the third-place match sees major increases: Cat 1 up $574 (135%), Cat 2 up $413 (137%), Cat 3 up $154 (75%), and Cat 4 up $83 (101%).

While the biggest percentage jumps appear in lower categories and earlier rounds, the final sees the steepest rise in absolute terms — with top-tier seats up by nearly $4,800.

2022 World Cup ticket prices (Qatar)

Match Type	Cat 1	Cat 2	Cat 3	Cat 4
Opening Match	$618	$440	$302	$55
Group Matches	$220	$165	$69	$11
Round of 16	$275	$206	$96	$19
Quarter-finals	$426	$288	$206	$82
Semi-finals	$956	$659	$357	$137
Third-place Match	$426	$302	$206	$82
Final	$1,607	$1,003	$604	$206

How much were tickets at previous World Cups?

Ticket prices have risen steadily across the past four tournaments — but the 2026 jumps are in a different league.

At Russia 2018, the cheapest group-stage tickets began at $20, and the most expensive Category 1 seats for the final cost $1,100.

For Brazil 2014, international fans paid $90 for the cheapest group tickets, while Brazilian residents benefited from subsidised Category 4 options worth just $14 after conversion.

South Africa 2010 was cheaper still, with international fans paying $20 for Category 4 group match tickets and final seats starting at $150.

2018 World Cup ticket prices (Russia)

Match Type	Cat 1	Cat 2	Cat 3	Cat 4
Opening Match	$550	$390	$220	$50
Group Matches	$210	$165	$105	$20
Round of 16	$245	$185	$115	$35
Quarter-finals	$365	$255	$175	$60
Semi-finals	$750	$480	$285	$70
Third-place Match	$365	$255	$175	$60
Final	$1,100	$710	$455	$110

2014 World Cup ticket prices for Brazil residents

Match	Cat 1	Cat 2	Cat 3	Cat 4	Cat 4 (Discounted)	Disabled Access
Opening Match	$450	$300	$200	$73	$36	$200
Group Matches	$159	$123	$82	$27	$14	$82
Round of 16	$200	$150	$100	$50	$25	$100
Quarter-finals	$300	$200	$150	$77	$39	$150
Semi-finals	$450	$300	$200	$100	$50	$250
Third-place Match	$300	$200	$150	$77	$39	$150
Final	$900	$600	$400	$150	$75	$400

2014 World Cup ticket prices for international fans

Match Type	Cat 1	Cat 2	Cat 3
Opening Match	$495	$330	$220
Group Matches	$175	$135	$90
Round of 16	$220	$165	$110
Quarter-finals	$330	$220	$165
Semi-finals	$660	$440	$275
Third-place Match	$330	$220	$165
Final	$990	$660	$440

2010 World Cup ticket prices (South Africa)

Match Type	Cat 1	Cat 2	Cat 3	Cat 4
Opening Match	$450	$300	$200	$70
Group matches	$160	$120	$80	$20
Round of 16	$200	$150	$100	$50
Quarter-finals	$300	$200	$150	$75
Semi-finals	$600	$400	$250	$100
Third-place Match	$300	$200	$150	$75
Final	$900	$600	$400	$150

Will high World Cup ticket prices result in empty seats?

The early buying frenzy suggests that demand for the biggest matches remains strong. However, the risk of empty seats at less high-profile games is already being raised. At the recent Club World Cup, many group-stage fixtures saw banks of empty seats until organisers slashed prices late in the tournament.

There are other barriers too. Travelling to North America comes with high accommodation costs, expensive flights and, for many fans, visa complications. Concerns have also been raised about the political climate in the United States under Donald Trump, whose hardline immigration strategy has led to the arrest and detention of tens of thousands of civilians this year.

If prices continue to rise and travel remains difficult, FIFA may be forced to adapt its strategy — or risk the spectacle of the biggest World Cup in history being played in front of swathes of empty seats.