What Are the Ticket Categories at World Cup 2026?

Written by Aviran Zazon | Last updated on January 15, 2026

If you're planning to buy tickets for the World Cup in 2026, you'll quickly run into FIFA's tiered seating system: Categories 1, 2, 3 and 4.

These general admission World Cup ticket categories determine your seat’s location in the stadium, how much you'll pay, and how quickly your desired ticket might sell out on the primary market.

But what do the categories mean for World Cup 2026? How do they compare to previous tournaments?

With the help of the MetLife Stadium seating chart as an example, we’ll break it all down so you know exactly what you're getting.

World Cup 2026 Tickets

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Category 1 World Cup Tickets – Premium, Midfield, Best View

What is a Category 1 ticket at the World Cup?

Category 1 (Cat 1) tickets are the highest-priced general admission option. These seats are positioned centrally, usually along the halfway line, and offer excellent viewing angles. You’ll find them mainly in the lower bowl, which is the section closest to the pitch.

Located along the midfield in the lower tier
Considered the best view in the stadium
Most expensive GA category

If you're looking for that perfect panoramic shot or want to feel the rhythm of the match up close, Cat 1 is the top choice, but it comes with a premium price tag.

Category 2 World Cup Tickets – Sideline Seating, Balanced Price

Category 2 is the middle ground, less central than Cat 1 but still providing decent views from the sideline. These seats are either a little further along the touchline or slightly higher in the stands.

Positioned along the side, often upper tier or closer to the corners
A solid choice for price-to-view ratio
Offers a wider availability than Cat 1 in most venues

Cat 2 tickets strike a balance between atmosphere and price, making them a favourite for fans who want more than nosebleeds without maxing out their budget.

Category 3 World Cup Tickets – Behind The Goal or Higher Tiers

Category 3 seats are typically located behind the goals or in the upper reaches of the stadium. These World Cup 2026 tickets are more affordable than Categories 1 or 2 but may not offer the clearest view of the entire pitch.

Upper tier or behind-the-goal locations
Slightly reduced visibility but usually vibrant crowd energy
Typically among the first to sell out in the lower pricing range

They’re often the go-to for travelling fans who prioritise being in the stadium, even if the view isn’t pitch-perfect.

Category 4 World Cup Tickets – Cheapest, In Corners, Very Limited

What are Category 4 tickets at the World Cup?

Traditionally the cheapest tickets on offer, Cat 4 seats are usually found in the corners or highest parts of the stadium. However, at World Cup 2026, these seats weren’t publicly available for most fans.

Allocated mostly to fans from the host nations or via team federations
Located in the outer edges of upper tiers
Rebranded in 2026 as the Supporter Entry Tier at €52

Importantly, FIFA made only a tiny portion (about 1.6% per match) available in this price category, and they were allocated through national associations, not in the regular sales. For most international fans, these were practically impossible to access. We cover this topic in more detail in our article on €52 World Cup tickets.

Quick Pricing Comparison – 2026 vs 2022 and EURO 2024

Let’s look at how football ticket prices have evolved at big international tournaments:

Tournament	Cat 1 (Group)	Cat 2	Cat 3	Cat 4 / Fans Tier
Qatar 2022	~€189	~€142	~€59	~€9
Euro 2024	€200	€150	€60	€30 (Fans First)
World Cup 2026	€430–€2,025	€344–€1,466	€155–€877	€52 (Supporter Entry)*

*Supporter Tier tickets were limited to team federations, not sold in public sales.

At the top end, Category 1 tickets for the 2026 World Cup final hit an eye-watering €7,464, and these are just provisional prices. For the group stage, prices in Categories 1 to 3 already far exceed what fans paid in previous tournaments.

We also draw a thorough comparison between the World Cups in our article about 2022 and 2026 World Cup ticket prices.

Ticket Availability – How Categories Are Distributed

Many fans ask: How are World Cup tickets allocated in 2026?

Unlike in previous editions, FIFA has classified a majority of seats in each stadium as Category 1. That’s a big shift from 2022 and before, where Cat 2 and 3 made up larger shares.

Here’s a rough breakdown based on available data and pricing tables:

Cat 1: Over 50% of general admission inventory in many stadiums
Cat 2 & 3: Make up most of the rest, split evenly
Cat 4 / Supporter Tier: Around 1.6% per match (allocated privately)

For example, stadiums like BC Place in Vancouver or Lumen Field in Seattle listed only Cat 1–3 for public sale.

No Cat 4 tickets appeared on FIFA’s public portal.

Where To Buy Tickets If You Missed The Draw

If you missed out during the FIFA lottery or first-come sales, all isn’t lost. There are still ways to buy World Cup 2026 ticket categories through legitimate resale.

While FIFA does offer an official World Cup resale platform, many fans find more options via verified secondary markets. Sites like www.healtharomatherapy.com let you compare prices across trusted resale sites, helping you avoid scams and inflated prices.

A quick tip: Always choose a platform with a buyer guarantee, and never buy from unofficial social media listings or forums. Demand is high, especially for premium and knockout games, so be prepared for fast-moving prices.

What Are the Ticket Categories at World Cup 2026? | Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Category 1 and Category 2 tickets at the World Cup?

The key difference is seat location. Category 1 tickets are in the centre of the pitch, usually lower tier, offering the best views.

Category 2 seats are slightly off-centre or higher up—still good but less optimal than Cat 1. The price reflects this difference.

How are World Cup tickets allocated for each match?

FIFA allocates most tickets as Category 1, followed by a near-even split of Categories 2 and 3. Only a tiny percentage (~1.6%) are allocated in the lowest-priced “Supporter Tier” (€52), and those are distributed through national associations rather than public sales.

Will 2026 FIFA tickets have different tiers?

Yes. Just like previous tournaments, 2026 tickets come in four general admission categories (Cat 1–4), with Category 4 now mostly reserved under a special Supporter Tier.

Additionally, there are hospitality tiers, but these are sold separately and not part of the general admission categories.

Final Word: What Are the Ticket Categories at World Cup 2026?

Understanding the World Cup 2026 ticket categories is essential if you want the best chance of getting in, and staying within your budget. With Category 1 seats making up most of the public allocation and Category 4 tickets extremely limited, most fans will be targeting Categories 2 and 3.

Whether you go for comfort, price or just availability, it pays to plan ahead. And if FIFA’s official channels come up empty, don’t forget that sites like www.healtharomatherapy.com can help you find resale tickets safely and quickly.

For fans making the trip to North America, knowing your categories could make all the difference between a once-in-a-lifetime seat and missing out entirely.

If you’re using resale, remember that www.healtharomatherapy.com offers a clear, instant comparison across a lineup of trustworthy sites.

As you read this we have 117 of World Cup 2026 tickets in stock, with the lowest priced tickets costing as little as €372 at the moment.

One unmissable match at this year’s tournament is Poland vs Albania at €436 and www.healtharomatherapy.com still has plenty of availability!

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