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Why World Cup 2026 Resale Ticket Prices Vary so Much
Written by Aviran Zazon | Last updated on January 15, 2026
World Cup 2026 ticket prices on the resale market are all over the place, and for good reason. From Messi and Mbappé to knockout drama and host-city quirks, there’s a lot behind the price you’ll pay.
In this article, we break down what causes these massive swings in resale value, and explain what you need to know if you're hoping to find a good deal.
In this article, we're focusing on general admission (GA) tickets only, leaving hospitality out of the picture.
World Cup 2026 Tickets
Star Players and World-Famous Teams Raise Resale Prices
Star power makes tickets explode in value. Messi. Ronaldo. Mbappé. These names drive up demand overnight.
As soon as the 2026 schedule was released, games involving Argentina and Portugal were suddenly among the most expensive.
This wasn’t so much because of the opponents, but because fans feared it might be the last chance to see these icons on the world stage.
One standout: Portugal vs Colombia, a mid-group match, jumped from under €344 to well over €1,720 on resale. Similarly, Argentina vs Algeria doubled in price within days.
These are textbook examples of what happens when global fanbases collide with star power.
Nations considered among the favourites also send demand surging. Brazil, England and Germany matches sell at a premium because they have supporters all over the world.
A match like Scotland vs Brazil in Miami attracts both die-hard Scots and massive local Brazilian support, pushing up prices beyond what you’d expect for a group-stage game.
Tournament Stage: Group vs Knockout WC 2026 Prices
Later means pricier. That’s the rule. Knockout games almost always cost more than group matches. There’s more at stake, fewer tickets, and a big sense of occasion. For example:
- Group stage (Cat 1): ~€430–€860 face value
- Final (Cat 1): €3,599 official starting price for World Cup Final tickets, with resale listings already past €9,459
But not all knockouts are premium. A Round of 16 clash between two smaller nations might end up cheaper than a group game featuring Argentina. It comes down to who’s playing, and where.
There’s also volatility within rounds. Once matchups are known, ticket prices spike. In one case, Round-of-16 prices jumped by 33% post-draw, while WC Quarter-final tickets dipped by 32% as extra supply hit the market. It’s not always a straight line.
Why Host Cities and Stadium Quirks Affect Ticket Demand
Where the match is played matters a lot. Big cities like New York, Miami, Los Angeles or Mexico City always command a premium. They’re international travel hubs with huge local populations and lots of tourists.
Stadium size also affects price. Smaller venues mean fewer tickets and higher prices. A midweek game in a 20,000-seater in Kansas City might be cheaper than the same fixture in a sold-out SoFi Stadium in LA.
Weekend matches are more expensive too. Friday nights and Saturday evenings are peak times, and prices reflect that. Fans are more available, travel is easier, and the atmosphere tends to be better.
How National Fanbases Affect World Cup Ticket Demand
Some matches sell out because of where they are and who lives there. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver have large African and Latin American communities, so games featuring teams like Ghana, Colombia or Mexico are hot tickets regardless of who they're playing.
We’ve seen this already. When Scotland qualified for the first time in 28 years, their fans flooded the ticket portals.
Similarly, teams like Morocco, Colombia and Italy (playoff outcome dependent) have strong diaspora support in North America, meaning their matches draw passionate crowds and premium prices.
How World Cup Ticket Prices Have Changed Over Time
Each World Cup is more expensive than the last. In 2018, you could get group tickets for around €17. In 2022, prices rose to about €60–€138. Now in 2026, the cheapest official ticket is €52, and that’s only for about 1.6% of seats. Most fans face prices several times that.
For context:
- 2022 Final (Cat 1): ~€1,376
- 2026 Final (Cat 1): Starts at €3,599, resale often >€8,599
Looking at the 2025 Club World Cup, some matches saw prices drop last-minute due to slow sales. That suggests resale listings could soften late in the day, but only if demand dips.
We do a deep dive on the differences in price between 2022 and 2026 World Cup tickets.
Timing and Resale Strategy for World Cup 2026 Tickets
When you buy matters almost as much as what you buy.
Buy early, and you risk overpaying before teams are confirmed. Buy late, and you might find a bargain, even if it’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy. Some desperate sellers cut prices last minute (especially for less attractive games), while others hold firm, especially for high-demand matches.
Post-draw panic also drives spikes. As soon as fans see that Brazil vs France is on the calendar, prices shoot up. Injuries or early exits can have the reverse effect.
If you’re travelling, timing is trickier. Flights and hotels lock people into plans, so they may pay more just to ensure they have a seat.
How the Official FIFA Resale Platform Affects Prices
FIFA’s official resale system is live and has strict rules:
- 15% fee (paid by the seller AND the buyer)
- Sellers in Mexico must list at or below original price
- Sellers in the US and Canada can set any price
This creates odd dynamics. For Mexico matches, resale prices are capped. But for US/Canada matches, sellers can charge whatever the market will bear. As a result, many fans skip the official exchange entirely and go to third-party platforms, especially if they’re trying to sell at a profit.
The limited €52 World Cup 2026 tickets, part of FIFA’s "Supporter Entry Tier", are not resold. They’re given to national federations for loyal fans and are essentially unavailable on the open market.
What to Expect on Third-party Resale Sites
On the open market, prices follow simple rules:
- Big game = big markup (often 300–500% above face)
- Small game + low demand = potential bargain
Some sellers list below face value if they’re desperate. Others go sky-high. USA vs Paraguay had seats briefly listed at €85,990.
Competition between platforms helps, but when demand is high, even the best comparison sites can only do so much. This is where www.healtharomatherapy.com comes in handy: it’s a trustworthy platform that helps fans find the best available price across multiple marketplaces.
How to Buy Cheap Tickets for the World Cup
There’s no magic bullet for getting hold of cheap World Cup 2026 tickets, but there are a few tactics that help:
- Be flexible. If you’re not chasing Argentina or England, you’ll find better deals. Matches like Japan vs Tunisia in Orlando will be far cheaper than Brazil vs France in LA.
- Wait for late deals. Some sellers slash prices close to kickoff. Risky, but can pay off.
- Pick off-peak matches. Midweek daytime games tend to be cheaper.
- Aim for less-hyped cities. Games in Kansas City or Edmonton are often less pricey than New York or Miami.
- Check comparison tools. Sites like www.healtharomatherapy.com can show you the cheapest ticket across trusted resale platforms.
For more information, check our guide to whether World Cup ticket prices will drop or keep rising.
Turkey vs Romania
FIFA World Cupfrom €39018 available ticketsWales vs Bosnia And Herzegovina
FIFA World Cupfrom €3723 available ticketsSlovakia vs Kosovo
FIFA World CupPoland vs Albania
FIFA World Cupfrom €43696 available tickets
Why World Cup 2026 Resale Ticket Prices Vary so Much | Frequently Asked Questions
Why are World Cup ticket prices so different on resale sites?
Because they’re driven by supply and demand, and not fixed prices. Star players, knockout games, big cities and timing all affect how much fans are willing to pay.
Are World Cup tickets cheaper closer to the match?
Sometimes. Prices can drop if sellers get nervous or if demand doesn’t match expectations. But for big games, waiting can backfire as prices climb or tickets vanish.
Can I find World Cup tickets under face value?
It’s possible, especially for low-demand games or if a seller needs to offload quickly. The official resale has some limits, but third-party sites will allow below-face listings if demand is low enough. For low-demand matches, we have noticed price drops for last-minute football tickets.
Final word: Why World Cup 2026 ticket resale prices vary so much
If you're planning to attend the World Cup in 2026, it's worth knowing why ticket prices on the resale market can swing so dramatically. From superstar teams and knockout stages to host cities and diaspora demand, resale values depend on far more than just the category of your seat.
The trick is to be flexible. Who you watch, where you go and when you buy all play a role. While some matches climb to eye-watering prices, others fall well below face value if you're smart about timing.
For fans looking beyond the FIFA platform, www.healtharomatherapy.com is a reliable way to check availability and compare resale prices across trusted sites. Whether you're after a big-name clash or a hidden gem in a smaller venue, it’s a great place to start.
Right now, we’ve got 117 World Cup 2026 tickets available, with the lowest prices starting from just €372.
One of the most popular fixtures this year is Poland vs Albania at €436 and there’s still good stock showing on www.healtharomatherapy.com!
Related Articles:
What the Draw Means for World Cup 2026 Tickets
How to Transfer World Cup 2026 Tickets
Guide to FIFA World Cup Resale Fees
