The ticket window for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to open. Here’s how it works
The process of purchasing tickets for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be quite the challenge, requiring a combination of patience, research, and a stroke of luck. With the ticket window set to open soon, here’s what you need to know to secure your spot at this highly anticipated event.
Starting from September 10 to 19, Visa cardholders will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-sale draw that covers all 104 games of the tournament. This pre-sale draw is open to Visa cardholders worldwide and is the first of several ticket phases that will be rolled out. Alongside this pre-sale, there are two other options for Canadians to acquire tickets.
Hospitality packages are already available for purchase, with prices ranging from $2,500 for a single-game package to bespoke experiences that have no set limit. Additionally, Canadians can enter a separate lottery for a chance to access Canada Soccer’s ticket allotment for Canada’s matches. To be eligible for this lottery, individuals must be members of the CanadaRed supporters group, with more details on timing expected to be released soon.
Once the Visa pre-sale draw concludes, a random selection process will take place, and successful applicants will be notified via email by September 29. These individuals will receive a specific date and time slot between October 1 to 21 to purchase tickets online, based on availability. To participate in the pre-sale, registration with FIFA is required, and applicants must be 18 years or older with a Visa card. Subsequent ticket phases will accept other forms of payment.
Ticket prices for group-stage matches start at $82 for the cheapest category and go up to $9,200 for premium seats at the championship game. These prices are subject to change based on demand, so expect fluctuations as ticket sales progress. Fans can purchase up to four tickets per game for a maximum of 10 matches, allowing for a total of 40 tickets per individual.
As the full tournament schedule will only be revealed after the draw on December 5, the initial pre-sale will involve some level of uncertainty regarding match-ups. However, fans can apply for generic single-match tickets, venue-specific tickets, and team-specific packages during the pre-sale. Approximately one million tickets will be available during this phase, with additional ticket draws scheduled for the coming months.
In addition to FIFA’s ticketing process, Canada Soccer will conduct its own lottery through the CanadaRed program. This program offers various tiers of membership, ranging from free to $5,000 annually, with tax receipts provided for charitable contributions. Members can enter lotteries for each of Canada’s matches, with unsuccessful applicants becoming eligible for lower-tier draws.
Overall, securing tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will require careful planning, persistence, and a bit of luck. Stay tuned for more updates on ticketing details and get ready to experience the thrill of this global sporting event firsthand.
