2026 World Cup Ticket Prices: Mexico Opener Reaches $3,742, Outpricing Semifinals

Ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have reached unprecedented levels on the secondary market, with Mexico's opening match against South Africa commanding a $3,742 entry price — 55% higher than either semifinal game, according to new data from Gametime's ticket marketplace.

The findings, based on a February 18 analysis of approximately 11,000 sporting and entertainment events listed on Gametime, show the Mexico City opener as the single most expensive ticket across the entire platform — surpassing championship games, festival passes, and later World Cup rounds.

The pricing comes as FIFA reports record-breaking demand for 2026 World Cup tickets, with more than 500 million ticket requests submitted. The Mexico-South Africa opener was listed among the most-requested matches in FIFA's recent sales phase, according to Associated Press reporting.

World Cup ticket prices by match

Gametime's February 18 marketplace snapshot shows the following entry prices for major 2026 World Cup matches:

• Mexico vs. South Africa (Opening match, June 11) — Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) — $3,742

• Semifinal (Match 101, July 14) — Arlington (AT&T Stadium) — $2,440

• Semifinal (Match 102, July 15) — Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) — $2,385

• Colombia vs. Portugal (Group stage, June 27) — Miami Gardens (Hard Rock Stadium) — $2,189

• Mexico vs. UEFA Playoff Winner (Group stage, June 24) — Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) — $2,165

The data reveals that multiple group-stage matches are pricing at levels typically associated with knockout rounds. The Colombia-Portugal match in Miami was identified by AP News as the most-requested game in FIFA's latest sales phase.

Why opening match prices exceed semifinals

Opening ceremony premium

The June 11 match at Mexico City Stadium marks the tournament's official opening, including the opening ceremony. According to FIFA's ticketing information, Estadio Azteca will become the first stadium to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches, adding historical significance to an already premium event.

Limited Mexico match inventory

FIFA's hosting arrangement allocates only 13 matches to Mexico compared to 78 for the United States across the 104-game tournament. This scarcity creates concentrated demand for Mexico's home games, particularly those featuring the national team.

Schedule certainty drives early demand

As co-hosts, Mexico, the United States, and Canada automatically qualified for the tournament. Mexico's Group A opponents — South Africa, South Korea, and a UEFA playoff winner — are confirmed, allowing fans to plan travel and purchases months in advance. This certainty contrasts with semifinal matches where competing teams remain unknown.

Mexico's competitive standing

Mexico currently ranks 15th in FIFA's world rankings, positioning the team as a credible contender rather than a ceremonial host. This competitive viability, combined with Mexico's large domestic and diaspora fanbase, generates opening-night demand typically reserved for knockout rounds.

Record demand across tournament

FIFA's report of more than 500 million ticket requests represents unprecedented demand for a World Cup tournament. Beyond the Mexico opener, several group-stage matches are commanding premium prices on the secondary market, including the Colombia-Portugal match in Miami and Mexico's second group game against South Korea in Guadalajara.

Market outlook and fan implications

Secondary market prices remain volatile as FIFA completes its lottery allocation process and begins charging selected applicants. Availability and resale pricing can shift rapidly as official tickets are distributed and resold.

If Mexico advances from Group A, the team could potentially play additional matches at Estadio Azteca depending on knockout round brackets, which would sustain pricing pressure on Mexico City venues throughout the tournament.

FIFA introduced a limited $60 entry-level ticket tier through national federations following criticism of high prices. However, media reports indicate this tier represents a small fraction of total inventory and is unlikely to significantly impact secondary market pricing for high-demand matches.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 through July 19, 2026. The tournament expands to 48 teams for the first time, up from 32 teams in previous editions.

Methodology: This analysis is based on Gametime's secondary marketplace data captured February 18, 2026, covering approximately 11,000 events. Get-in prices represent the lowest available ticket listing for each match at the time of the snapshot. Secondary market prices fluctuate based on inventory and demand and may not reflect official FIFA ticket prices. Gametime is a licensed ticket resale platform operating in compliance with applicable laws.