Ticket prices for next year's FIFA World Cup will range initially from $60 for group stage matches to $6,730 for the final, but could change as soccer's top event adopts dynamic pricing for the first time.
The prices are up from a range of $25 to $475 for the 1994 tournament in the United States and the U.S. dollar equivalent of $69 to $1,607 when ticket details were announced for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
"I think the message is 'Get your tickets early,' especially if you know where you will be because you live in that city or you're a fan of the three hosting nations, and then you know already when and where they will play," said Heimo Schirgi, FIFA's World Cup 2026 chief operating officer. "So that's the message: 'Get your tickets early,' because anything could happen."
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Dynamic pricing was also used for this year's FIFA Club World Cup, when tickets were cut from $473.90 to $13.40 for the semifinal between Chelsea and Fluminense at MetLife Stadium.
"I didn't know about [dynamic pricing], but it means that the prices can go up or can go down," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said during the Club World Cup, "and for us, the important element is to fill stadiums to give opportunities to people to come."
Added Schirgi: "It's key to highlight FIFA's mission and FIFA's objective of providing funding, providing opportunities, providing growth to our sport across all the 211 member associations. And as part of that mission, which we take very seriously, we're looking at optimizing the revenue, but also optimizing attendance in the stadium, right? So, it's always a balance between different factors."
Next year's tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be played at 11 sites in the U.S., three in Mexico and two in Canada. The tournament expanded from 32 nations to 48 and from 64 games to 104.
The initial draw period will be limited to Visa cardholders and will run from 11 a.m. ET on the opening day, Sept. 10, through 11 a.m. ET on Sept. 19. Those picked to buy tickets will be notified starting Sept. 29 and will be given a time slot to purchase starting Oct. 1. Although tickets for all 104 matches are being put on sale, receiving a time slot does not guarantee tickets will be available.
Sales will be capped at four tickets per person per match, with no person being able to purchase more than 40 for the totality of the tournament.
FIFA said it has no additional details on prices to announce.
A second phase, called an early ticket draw, likely will run Oct. 27-31, with purchase time slots from mid-November to early December.
A third phase, termed a random selection draw, will start after the final draw of teams on Dec. 5 determines the World Cup schedule. FIFA said tickets will be available closer to the tournament "on a first-come, first-served basis."
FIFA also said it will start an official resale platform.
Hospitality packages have been sold since May. For the eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the final on July 19, prices range from $3,500 to $73,200 per person.
Fans can purchase tickets to follow a certain team or purchase for a certain site.
American Airlines announced Wednesday that its AAdvantage loyalty program members can redeem miles for World Cup tickets, starting with executive platinum and concierge key members on Oct. 13, with platinum pro, platinum and gold added the following day and all members having access as of Oct. 15.
Thirteen teams in the field have been determined. The United States, Canada and Mexico are assured World Cup spots as the host nations, while reigning champion Argentina with Lionel Messi and perennial power Brazil are among the teams that have already secured qualification.
The host nations will play all three of their group stage matches on home soil. The U.S. will open June 12 in Inglewood, California, then play June 19 in Seattle and again June 25 back in Inglewood. Canada will play June 12 in Toronto, then June 18 and June 24 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mexico will play June 11 and June 24 in Mexico City, with a June 18 match in Guadalajara.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.