Ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are experiencing a steep decline on secondary markets, particularly as the tournament approaches its Round of 16 matches. Prices for tickets to some Round of 32 games dropped by 39% in a single week, falling from an average of $2,040 to $1,245.
The only knockout match that did not see a price decrease was the contest between Mexico and Ecuador, which experienced a marginal 1% drop, with tickets averaging $2,849. This sustained demand is attributed to the significant popularity of the matchup.
TicketData reports that prices for the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals have also seen double-digit percentage decreases. This trend follows an announcement by FIFA earlier in the tournament that 5 million tickets had been sold. However, it was later revealed that a substantial portion of these sales were primarily to ticket scalpers.
Ahead of the knockout stages, FIFA released tickets in small batches on its official resale site. The current uncertainty surrounding which teams will advance to later stages appears to be making international fans hesitant to purchase tickets at the previously inflated prices.
Despite the secondary market fluctuations, many World Cup matches throughout the United States and Mexico have seen strong attendance. With the Mexican national team advancing to the Round of 16, continued high fan turnout is expected at Estadio Azteca for their upcoming match against England. The U.S. men's national team also has the opportunity to advance with a win against Bosnia and Herzegovina.