The Real Story Behind the 2026 World Cup Ticket Rush
So, the ticket race for the 2026 World Cup is officially heating up, and honestly, it’s already turning into one of the most intense scrambles we’ve seen for any sporting event. The main ballot opens this Thursday, which means it’s the first real chance for fans to lock in seats now that the draw and full match schedule have been revealed. And as you might expect, excitement is high—but so are the prices.
Let’s start with the basics. The ballot works on a simple lottery system. You can apply any time between the opening moment and 13 January 2026, and it won’t matter whether you apply on day one or the final minute—you’ll have the same chance as everyone else. Each household can request up to four tickets per match and up to forty across the entire tournament. After the window closes, FIFA will run the draw, and successful fans will be notified in February. If your application gets selected, your card will be charged automatically, so people are being warned to double-check their payment details before applying.
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One of the biggest conversations right now is about pricing. FIFA’s model has been criticised heavily, especially after early-phase tickets ranged from around £45 all the way to nearly £6,000. The good news is that the main ballot won’t use dynamic pricing. That means the price you see on day one is the price you’ll see on the final day. The not-so-good news? Category 4, the “budget” option, appears to be extremely limited. Most stadium seating falls into the pricier Category 1 and 2 zones, so fans are bracing for steep costs—especially for high-profile fixtures.
If you miss out on the main ballot, there are a few other pathways. National football associations will get 8% of the tickets for their own supporters, and these will also be distributed by ballot. Resale will be available through FIFA’s official marketplace, though with a 15% fee added for both buyers and sellers, and prices there typically skyrocket. Hospitality packages exist too, but those are aimed at fans who don’t mind paying thousands for premium access. And of course, a final first-come, first-served phase will arrive closer to the tournament.
Another major talking point is visas. FIFA tickets won’t act as any kind of travel clearance. Fans heading to the US, Canada, or Mexico will still need to follow each country’s entry rules—whether that’s an ESTA, a visa, or an eTA. The US has even said it’s prioritising visa appointments for ticket holders, but people are still being encouraged to apply early.
And finally, the resale market has already gone wild. As soon as the draw confirmed matches like Portugal vs Colombia or Argentina’s group clashes, resale prices surged by nearly 300%, thanks largely to what will likely be the final World Cup appearances for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
So that’s where things stand. High stakes, high prices, and huge anticipation—pretty much exactly what you’d expect for a World Cup this massive.
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