A study by the Guardian on past ticket prices for the men’s World Cup, compared to the 2026 prices, reveals a significant increase in the cost of entry for most fans. Previously, attending a World Cup was more dependent on bid books than financial resources. However, for the 2026 event in the US, Mexico, and Canada, even the least expensive tickets are now considered a luxury item.
The analysis highlights that, amid the overall rise in ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, the sharpest increases have occurred for the cheapest tickets. This analysis uses official FIFA pricing from 1994 onwards, with more detailed data from 2006. Prices for the 2026 games are up-to-date as of 16 December 2025 and exclude the 1.6% of tickets for each game that FIFA recently offered at a fixed price of $60.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com