Backlash Mounts as World Cup 2026 Resale Tickets Climb as High as $143,000
- 10 hours ago
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Fury is building among football supporters worldwide after resale prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup soared to staggering levels on FIFA’s own ticket exchange platform, with some final match seats listed at nearly $144,000.
Fans searching for tickets to the July 19 final in New Jersey were met with eye-watering figures, including a category three seat priced at $143,750—more than 40 times its original face value of $3,450. Even the least expensive resale option for the final was listed at $9,775, placing it far beyond the reach of most supporters.
The opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium has also seen dramatic markups. A seat originally sold for $895 appeared on the resale portal for over $5,300. The sharp increases come shortly after the main ticket sales phase concluded in January, raising concerns about speculative buying and profit-driven reselling.
Although a handful of listings show modest reductions below face value, such cases are rare. The overwhelming trend points to significant inflation in secondary market pricing, reinforcing complaints from supporters who argue that ordinary fans are being priced out of the tournament.
Supporters’ groups across Europe and beyond say the situation highlights systemic flaws in ticket distribution. Many believe bulk purchases by resellers have created artificial scarcity, allowing tickets to re-enter the market at extreme premiums.
FIFA has defended its role, stating that its platform simply facilitates transactions between fans and that sellers determine the final asking price. The governing body collects a commission on each resale and maintains that its pricing structure reflects common practices for major sporting and entertainment events in host countries.
Legal approaches to ticket resales vary across the three host nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While resale markets operate with minimal restrictions in the U.S. and Canada, Mexico prohibits selling tickets above face value if they were purchased locally in Mexican currency.
In response to criticism, FIFA has previously introduced a limited batch of lower-priced tickets for official supporters’ groups. However, fan advocates argue that the allocation is too small to address broader affordability concerns.
With demand reportedly running into the hundreds of millions of ticket requests, interest in the 2026 tournament remains intense. A final sales window is expected to open in April on a first-come, first-served basis, but unless prices stabilise, many devoted supporters may be left watching from afar rather than inside the stadium.
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