The World Cup is set to go ahead in the USA, Mexico, and Canada in June and July 2026. Attending a World Cup and supporting your nation is a dream for football fans worldwide — it's also a chance to watch the world’s best players compete on the biggest stage.

But beyond the excitement, a question many fans are asking is: how much is a World Cup trip going to cost?

World Cup trips can vary enormously in price depending on factors such as ticket category, travel style, accommodation choice, and how many matches you plan to attend. In this guide, we’ll walk through every major expense category — from flights and hotels to food, transport, and matchday tickets — to help you build a realistic budget for your trip.

Whether you’re planning your first World Cup or you’re a seasoned fan, this breakdown will help you estimate your total cost and plan accordingly.

1. Ticket Prices: Matchday Costs and Packages

The World Cup 2026 dynamic pricing model has been labelled as hugely controversial, and it looks set to be the most expensive football tournament ever. The World Cup draw and match schedule was completed in December - and tickets have been made available to travelling fans in four tiers:

• Category 1: Best seats, highest prices
• Category 2: Mid-range option
• Category 3: Affordable seats
• Supporter Entry Tickets: Lowest price ($60) but limited availability

Expect enormous variation in price depending on the stage of the tournament, the teams playing, and the ticket category. For example, a World Cup group game between Egypt and Iran will be much cheaper than a World Cup Final ticket at the MetLife Stadium.

The FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium will have a halftime show like the Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/O5CBl3qkdu

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 5, 2025

Official Ticket Prices:

• Group Games: $60–$710 per match
• Round of 32: $60–$600
• Round of 16: $60–$770
• Quarterfinals: $60–$1440
• Semifinals: $60–$3170
• Final: $60–$8,680

For each match of the tournament, 1000 seats will be priced at $60. These ticket sales are reserved for the most loyal fans of the two participating teams.

It's worth noting that ticket prices will be cheaper for fans of smaller national teams during the group stage. Unless you're one of the 500 lucky fans from your country, a 3-match group stage pass will cost anywhere from $600–$1750 per person if you opt for mid-range seats.

Browse World Cup tickets today on SeatPick, where you'll find options for every single match.

2. Flights: Getting There and Flying Between Host Cities

Your flight cost depends on:

• Departure location
• Host country
• Time of booking
• Airline and route availability

Intercontinental flights can range significantly, depending on where you are travelling from.

Estimated Round-Trip Flights:

• From Europe: $1,000–$1,800
• From North America: $300–$900
• From South America: $400–$1,000
• From Asia/Oceania: $1,000–$1,800

Flights From One City to Another (3 flights):

• $1,000+

🇦🇷 Argentina’s 2026 World Cup travel route

Group Stage:
• Kansas
• San Francisco
• Dallas

➡️ Total travel: ~5,700 km

If Argentina finish 1st, their path looks like this (assuming they keep winning):

• Round of 32: Miami
• Round of 16: Atlanta
• Quarterfinal: Kansas
•… pic.twitter.com/BkCR77s7l0

— We Are Messi 🔟 (@WeAreMessi) December 5, 2025

Tips to Save:

• Book early (6–9 months ahead).
• Use fare alerts and flexible date search tools.
• Consider flying into a nearby city if cheaper and then taking local transport.

Example: A London → USA World Cup city flight might hover around $700–$1,200 in economy during peak booking windows.

3. Accommodation: From Hostels to Hotels

Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses during a major sporting event. Prices surge, and availability gets squeezed, so early planning is essential.

Average Nightly Rates During World Cup:

• Hostels / Budget Hotels: $80–$180
• Mid-Range Hotels: $200–$350
• Upscale Hotels: $400–$650+
• Airbnb / Vacation Rentals: Wide range — $100–$400 per night

Budgeting Example (If you’re staying 10 nights):

• Budget traveler: $800–$1,800
• Mid-range traveler: $2,000–$3,500
• Luxury traveler: $4,000+

Tips to Save:

• Book as early as possible (6–12 months ahead).
• Stay outside the city center and use public transport.
• Consider shared rentals with other fans.
• Check cancellation policies (flexible is better).

4. Local Transportation

Once you arrive, you’ll need to get around. Travelling from one city to another is going to be the biggest expense, although taxi fares will add up quickly if you take them regularly.

• Airport transfers
• Public transport (metro, buses)
• Taxis / Rideshares
• Intercity travel (if attending multiple cities)

Typical Costs:

• Single metro/bus ride: $1.50–$4
• Daily transport pass: $5–$20
• Taxi trips: $8–$60 depending on distance
• Intercity travel: $1,000+

5. Food & Drink

Your daily food budget depends on preferences:

• Street food / quick bites: $20–$40/day
• Casual restaurants: $50–$90/day
• Sit-down dining / fancier meals: $100–$200+

Example Daily Food Budgets:

• Budget: $40
• Mid-range: $90
• Luxury: $150+

World Cup host cities often have plenty of street food and fan zones, which can be more budget-friendly. Meals near stadiums and in city centers might cost more, especially in the USA.

6. Insurance & Safety

Travel insurance is essential, especially for trips like the World Cup.

Typical Travel Insurance Cost:

• Short trip (7–14 days): $50–$150 per person
• More comprehensive plans: $150–$300+

Make sure your policy covers:

• Trip cancellation
• Medical emergencies
• Lost baggage
• Travel delays

7. Visas & Entry Requirements

Depending on your nationality and host country, you may need a visa or travel authorization. Check the official government websites well in advance and allow time for processing.

• Visa fees: $20–$200+

8. Sample Trip Budgets

To make this even more practical, here are three sample itineraries and estimated budgets for a 10-day World Cup trip.

🧳 Budget Traveler

• Match tickets (3 group matches): $800
• Flights: $2,400
• Accommodation (hostel / budget hotel): $800
• Local transport: $80
• Food & drink: $500
• Extras & merch: $120
• Insurance & visas: $200

✅ Total: ~$4,900

🛫 Mid-Range Traveler

• Match tickets (2 group games + 1 Round of 16 match): $1,400
• Flights: $2,600
• Accommodation (mid-range hotel): $2,500
• Local transport: $120
• Food & drink: $800
• Extras & merch: $250
• Insurance & visas: $200

✅ Total: ~$7,870

⭐ Luxury Traveler

• Premium match tickets (Quarterfinal + Semi + World Cup Final: $6,000+
• Flights: $3,500
• Accommodation (4★/5★): $5,000
• Local transport & taxis: $500
• Food & drink: $2,000
• Extras & merch: $500
• Insurance & visas: $200

✅ Total: ~$17,700

9. Money-Saving Tips

Here are ways to stretch your budget further:

• Book early
• Prices for flights and hotels tend to rise as the event approaches.
• Be flexible on dates & cities. Traveling a day earlier or later could save you hundreds.
• Use public transportation
• Share accommodation with other fans
• Find World Cup ticket bargains on resale sites such as SeatPick. You may find options for certain World Cup group games selling for less than face value.

10. Plan Your World Cup Trip Budget Carefully - Don't Go Into Debt

Attending the 2026 World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many fans. It certainly won't be cheap, but with careful planning, you can tailor your trip to fit your budget.

Remember, travel costs are highly variable, depending on where you plan to watch matches. Use this guide as a framework and adjust numbers based on real prices you find during your planning.

Plan your budget carefully and understand if it makes financial sense for you to attend. It's going to be an expensive trip, no matter if you're following Brazil or Qatar.

If it does make sense financially, fans can use our platform to seek out affordable and secure World Cup tickets. The World Cup is all about the atmosphere, the passion, and the memories you’ll make. Start planning, book smart, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.