December 5, 2025 is a red letter day in the football calendar. Washington DC will play host to the World Cup 2026 draw.
Whilst there are more unknowns than knowns about the World Cup as it stands, you can still secure World Cup tickets on SeatPick.
The official ticket sale periods from FIFA have already started and here at SeatPick we have been aggregating all the resale options for World Cup tickets.
Here’s what you need to know about where to splurge and where to save before team allocations change everything.
The Five Most Expensive Matches
| Event | Date & Venue | Starts From Price |
| World Cup Final 2026 | July 19, 2026, MetLife Stadium | £5,103 |
| Mexico vs TBD: Match 1 World Cup 2026 – Group A (Opening match) | June 11, 2026, Estadio Ciudad de Mexico | £1,637 |
| Winner match 97 vs Winner match 98: Match 101 World Cup 2026 (First semi-final) | July 14, 2026, AT&T Stadium | £1,151 |
| Mexico vs TBD: Match 53 World Cup 2026 – Group A | June 24, 2026, Estadio Ciudad de Mexico | £1,028 |
| Winner match 79 vs Winner match 80: Match 92 World Cup 2026 (Round of 16) | July 5, 2026, Estadio Ciudad de Mexico | £935 |
In total, this expanded World Cup stretches to 104 matches. Only the host nations – USA, Mexico and Canada – currently know where they will play and when, but just for the group stage matches.
The World Cup Final on July 19, 2026, unsurprisingly tops the list at £5,103 for entry-level tickets—more than three times the cost of either semi-final. But the second most expensive ticket might surprise you: Mexico’s opening match on June 11 commands £1,637, eclipsing both semi-finals at £1,151.
Mexico’s opening ceremony clash represents more than just football – it’s a once-in-a-generation national celebration. The host nation premium is real, with Mexico’s third group match still commanding £1,028.
The third most expensive ticket for the World Cup currently is match 101 – which is the first semi-final. Currently, there is a clear price difference between the first semi-final in Arlington at the AT&T Stadium (£1,151) versus the second semi-final at the Mercedes Benz Stadium (£753).
Rounding out the top five is a Round of 16 fixture at £935, showing how quickly knockout football drives up demand. Continuing the theme of Mexico-based tickets being the most expensive – this fixture is the only round of 16 fixture in Mexico.
The Five Cheapest World Cup Matches
| Event | Date & Venue | Starts From Price |
| TBD vs TBD: Match 19 World Cup 2026 – Group J | June 16, 2026, Arrowhead Stadium | £127 |
| TBD vs TBD: Match 38 World Cup 2026 – Group H | June 21, 2026, Mercedes Benz Stadium | £130 |
| TBD vs TBD: Match 34 World Cup 2026 – Group E | June 20, 2026, Arrowhead Stadium | £130 |
| TBD vs TBD: Match 65 World Cup 2026 – Group H | Jun 26, 2026, NRG Stadium | £130 |
| TBD vs TBD: Match 50 World Cup 2026 – Group C | Jun 24, 2026, Mercedes Benz Stadium | £136 |
The Budget Options: £127 Gets You In
At the other extreme, entry-level tickets start at just £127 for select group stage matches in Groups C, E, H, and J. Three different fixtures share the £130 price point, all involving yet-to-be-determined teams. The fifth cheapest option sits at £136—still representing extraordinary value compared to the tournament’s premium matches.
These TBD fixtures are priced so affordably precisely because nobody knows who’s playing. A Group H match between two unconfirmed teams lacks the narrative pull of Mexico’s homecoming or a knockout showdown.
But here’s the gamble: if England, Brazil, or Argentina land in one of these groups, that £127 ticket suddenly looks like the bargain of the century.
Why This Pricing Window Matters
Right now, you’re looking at pre-draw prices based purely on match timing and tournament stage—not team quality. Once the December 2025 draw allocates teams to groups, pricing will shift dramatically. That cheap Group E fixture could suddenly feature Germany versus France, transforming a budget option into a premium match.
The secondary market will likely explode after the draw, with prices for big-nation matchups potentially doubling or tripling. Conversely, if Groups C, E, H, and J end up with lower-ranked teams, these cheap tickets might get even cheaper on the resale market as demand softens.
The Host Nation Premium Is Real
Beyond Mexico’s opening match, the data shows consistent premiums for all three host nations. While the U.S. and Canada fixtures haven’t reached Mexico’s stratospheric opening match pricing, any match involving a host nation commands noticeably higher entry prices than comparable TBD fixtures. This reflects both guaranteed home support and the cultural significance of hosting football’s biggest tournament.
The Knockout Pricing Cliff
One of the data’s starkest revelations is the pricing cliff between group and knockout stages. The cheapest Round of 16 tickets start at £322—more than double the most expensive group stage TBD fixtures. By quarter-finals, you’re looking at £689 minimum, and semi-finals start at £1,028.
This reflects knockout football’s binary nature: every match is sudden death, every goal potentially tournament-defining. Even the third-place playoff at £615 costs more than most group matches, despite being dismissed by many as the tournament’s least desirable fixture.
What Smart Buyers Should Do Now
If you want certainty and can afford it, secure Mexico’s opening match or the Final now—these prices won’t get cheaper. But if you’re flexible and gambling on value, those £127-£136 group stage tickets represent genuine opportunities. Just know you’re buying blind, with no guarantee of who you’ll actually watch. Albeit you will know the venue and date of the match.
The World Cup draw will redraw this entire pricing landscape. Right now, you’re seeing the tournament’s structural pricing – soon, you’ll see its team-based reality.
World Cup 2026 Ticket Prices: What the Numbers Reveal
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, ticket prices are already painting a fascinating picture of fan demand, host nation pride, and the tournament’s unique tri-nation format.
With pricing data now available for all 104 matches, clear patterns are emerging that reveal what fans truly value – and what represents the best value for money.
The Final Commands Historic Premium
Unsurprisingly, the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026, tops the pricing charts at £5,103 for entry-level tickets. This represents a 40-fold premium over the cheapest group stage matches, reflecting both the prestige of football’s biggest occasion and the expanded 48-team format creating additional knockout rounds.
What’s particularly striking is the gap between the Final and even the semi-finals, where tickets start from £1,151 – less than a quarter of the final’s price. This suggests fans are willing to pay exponentially more for the certainty of witnessing the ultimate match rather than gambling on semi-final tickets.
Host Nation Fever Drives Opening Match Prices
The tournament’s second most expensive ticket tells an equally compelling story. Mexico’s opening match on June 11, 2026, commands £1,637 – more expensive than both semi-finals. This isn’t just about football; it’s about national celebration.
As one of three host nations alongside the United States and Canada, Mexico’s opening fixture represents a once-in-a-generation moment for Mexican football fans. The pricing reflects pent-up demand for what will likely be a sold-out, carnival atmosphere at Estadio Ciudad de Mexico.
Mexico’s other group matches maintain premium pricing too, with their third group game priced at £1,028. This consistent premium across all Mexico fixtures suggests epic demand due to the powerful combination of home advantage, passionate support, and cultural significance driving demand.
The Value Proposition in Group Stages
For budget-conscious fans, the data reveals genuine opportunities. The cheapest tickets start at just £127 for certain group stage matches, particularly in Groups C, E, H, and J. These TBD fixtures – where teams haven’t been confirmed yet – represent the tournament’s best value proposition.
The pricing differential is logical: fans won’t pay premium prices for unknown matchups. A Group H clash between two yet-to-be-determined teams lacks the narrative pull of Mexico’s homecoming or a knockout showdown. However, these fixtures could become bargains if major footballing nations end up in these groups following qualification.
The Knockout Premium Emerges Early
What’s particularly interesting is how quickly prices escalate once the knockout stages begin. Round of 16 matches start from £935, nearly seven times the cheapest group stage tickets.
This jump reflects the binary nature of knockout football – every match matters absolutely, and there are no second chances.
Quarter-finals climb to £689-£929, while the third-place playoff (£615) costs less than most knockout matches despite featuring two of the best four teams in the tournament.
What This Means for Fans
The pricing structure reveals how the market looks today on the resale market: The most expensive tickets centre around the must-see moments (opening match, final, host nations) but there are accessible entry points for casual fans willing to gamble on unknown group matchups.
For savvy fans, the message is clear: if you’re flexible about which teams you watch and willing to wait for group allocations, significant savings await. But if you’re chasing history—or want to be part of Mexico’s homecoming—you’ll need to pay handsomely for the privilege.
Our advice for buying World Cup tickets on the resale market comes down to the following key points:
- Plan early: The earlier you secure tickets, the better the prices.
- Know your match priorities: Premium matches cost more; budget options exist.
- Use SeatPick to compare and buy: Access official and resale tickets safely.
- Monitor trends: Prices fluctuate—being informed saves money.
NOTE: All prices mentioned here are not final and are subject to change.
