Ticket Ballot Opens for 2026 World Cup in North America

The main ticket ballot for the 2026 World Cup in North America opens on Thursday.

This marks the first opportunity for fans to secure tickets since the draw and the complete match schedule were announced last week.

FIFA's pricing model has faced criticism, with Football Supporters Europe warning of "record high prices" and significant financial risks for fans following their teams.

In an earlier ticketing phase, prices ranged from £214 to £5,915.

So, what do we know about the tournament's controversial ticketing process, and how can fans secure tickets?

How Does the Ballot Work?

Starting at 16:00 GMT on Thursday, fans can apply for tickets through FIFA's website for the matches of their choice.

Each household may request up to four tickets per match, with a maximum of 40 tickets across the entire tournament.

The application window will remain open until 13 January 2026, with no advantage for early applications; all fixtures will be available throughout this period.

Following the closing of the application window, FIFA will conduct a lottery to determine which applications are successful.

Fans will be notified via email in February, and if they are awarded tickets, payment will be processed automatically.

What About Dynamic Pricing?

FIFA will implement dynamic pricing, referred to as "variable pricing," during some phases of ticket sales. However, this will not apply to the main ballot; the prices at the start of the window will remain unchanged until it closes.

Ticket prices will still be influenced by expected demand for each match, with high-profile games likely to command higher prices.

Currently, FIFA has not released an official price list, but fans can expect to know the ticket prices when the ballot opens on Thursday.

For now, the best indication of ticket prices comes from fans who tracked costs during the previous sales phase.

FIFA has touted Category 4 tickets as "an accessible entry point to the tournament." However, stadium maps suggest that the availability of Category 4 seating is very limited, and Football Supporters Europe has expressed caution regarding their existence. Most seating appears to fall into the more expensive Category 1 and 2 sections.

How Else Can I Get Tickets?

1. FA Allocations

Each participating nation will receive 8% of the tickets for its matches to distribute to its supporters. For England and Scotland, these tickets will be available to members of the England Supporters Travel Club and the Scotland Supporters Club. Both groups will receive an email with an access code to a FIFA portal, where they can apply from 15 December to 13 January.

These tickets will be allocated through a ballot weighted towards members with the highest loyalty points.

Prices are expected to align with the main ballot, but FA allocation tickets cannot be resold.

Ticket allocations for teams that progress through the playoffs will be released after those matches are completed in March.

2. FIFA Marketplace

FIFA has established an official platform where fans can resell tickets purchased through other phases of the ticketing process. Sellers can set their own prices, and FIFA will charge a 15% fee from both the seller and the buyer.

FIFA states that these fees are "aligned with North American industry trends across various sports" and insists that all revenue will be "reinvested to fuel the growth of the game." The organization has also cautioned supporters against using unofficial resale sites, noting that tickets bought elsewhere "may be subject to cancellation without notice." Currently, the cheapest tickets for England and Scotland's group games are listed at over £450 on the unofficial secondary market.

3. Hospitality

For fans seeking guaranteed tickets and who are not concerned about cost, official hospitality packages are available. These typically start at several thousand pounds and include premium seating, lounge access, and upscale dining options. The most exclusive offering is Platinum Access, with pricing available upon request, though promotional materials suggest a luxurious experience.

4. First-Come, First-Served

As the tournament date approaches, any remaining ticket inventory will be released on a first-come, first-served basis, similar to standard online ticket sales. This phase is expected to utilize dynamic pricing, but unlike other industries, FIFA will manually adjust prices based on demand rather than relying on an algorithm.

Do I Need a Visa?

“Your ticket is not a visa,” stated United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month. Indeed, holding a ticket does not guarantee entry into any of the host countries: Canada, Mexico, or the United States.

Fans planning to travel to the U.S. should apply for either the Visa Waiver Program (commonly known as ESTA) or a Visitor Visa (B1/B2), depending on their nationality. UK citizens are typically eligible for an ESTA.

Canada requires most visitors to obtain a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), while Mexico offers visa-free entry to many nationalities, including UK travelers.

U.S. embassies are prioritizing appointments for World Cup ticket holders but encourage fans to apply as soon as possible. The situation remains unclear for ticket holders from countries whose citizens face travel bans to the U.S.; for example, several members of the Iranian delegation were denied entry during the World Cup draw last week.

Ticket Ballot Opens for 2026 World Cup in North America

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