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FIFA's fourth and final ticket sales phase launches on April 1 and stays open through the conclusion of the tournament, with seats available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis.
Everyone is eager to secure a spot at this summer's World Cup across North America, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, yet many fans will find themselves shut out entirely.
More tickets are on offer for the newly-expanded, 48-team competition than at any previous edition, with FIFA poised to shatter the all-time World Cup attendance record of 3.5 million set in 1994, the last time the U.S. served as host; nevertheless, the steep pricing across all stages — from the group phase through to the final — means a significant number of supporters simply cannot afford to attend this summer's soccer spectacle.
FIFA's use of dynamic pricing for the event has drawn widespread criticism following immediate and dramatic price spikes. A formal complaint has even been filed against the governing body over ticket costs.
But how do today's ticket prices stack up against those from the 1994 World Cup?
How Do 2026 World Cup Ticket Prices Compare to 1994?
The most recent World Cup held in North America was the 1994 edition, which took place across the United States. That memorable tournament elevated soccer's standing in America and introduced fans to the sport, with ticket packages even including a beginner's guide to the game. The yellow booklet, titled "This is your guide to World Cup soccer," broke down essential soccer terminology such as corner kick, striker and throw-in.
It helped set the stage for this summer's tournament, returning to the U.S. exactly 32 years on.
Pinpointing the exact ticket prices for the 1994 World Cup is no easy task, but according to ESPN, costs ranged from $25 to $475 across the tournament's matches. Prices climbed sharply for the final between Brazil and Italy, however, with some supporters paying upward of $1,500 for a seat.
These interviews with American fans at USA '94 are pure gold pic.twitter.com/J9CEqvWHmT
Adjusted for 2026 inflation, those prices translate to roughly $55 to $1,050 for general matches, with the upper-end cost of attending the World Cup final equivalent to approximately $3,300 in today's money.
Even accounting for inflation, 1994 tickets remain considerably more affordable than those in 2026. The minimum price for standard tickets at the upcoming tournament is $60 — with only a limited number available at that level — while the priciest tickets for the final reach $7,875.
For a fan hoping to attend eight matches at the 2026 World Cup — one per round — the cheapest category ticket for each game would total roughly $6,900, per BBC Sport. At the top end, that same package would run approximately $16,400.
For comparison, attending one match per round at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — seven games in that case — would have cost around $1,950 at the lowest and $5,200 at the highest.
Transportation Costs
Ticket prices aren't the only major expense fans will face when following their teams at this World Cup. Getting to and from stadiums will also come at a considerable cost.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is planning to nearly quadruple its standard fares for round-trip train travel between central Boston and Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough, Mass. during the World Cup, according to The Athletic.
Passengers could be charged over $75 per person for the 27-mile trip, a sharp jump from the $20 the MBTA typically charges for NFL and MLS matchday travel.