WC2026 Planning

Kudos man.. there's something nice about having the tickets and the planning, even if it cost a bit extra. Go and enjoy!

 

yeah as long as you have that it’s fine.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/72...paraguay-world-cup-tickets-fifa-sofi-stadium/

So we are 51 days until World Cup and as a host country as it stands right now the stadium will be less than 60% full due to low information FIFA executives trying to squeeze every ounce of profit. Ticket prices need to come down in a hurry. What a joke.

 

The stadium will be packed for that game. Tickets will come down, additional drops as dynamic adjusts downward and resale drops dramatically. Fifa wont be giving away tickets either.. they are banking on this game to be a massive money maker..and they'll be right. Premium game of all premium games, and priced as so. Sucks, I hate it as well.

Doesn't mean its not total BS though.

 

They have sold about 40k of the 70k seat stadium. If they don't start lowering prices very soon through dynamic pricing, they run the risk of a lot of unsold tickets. I suppose they could just give them away to sponsors and schools last minute to try and fill those seats, but expecting people to buy up those seats a few days or weeks before and then needing to coordinate travel and hotels is longshot at these prices.

The same thing happened for the latest NBA all-star game. This is LA and right in the middle of summer. Plenty of other things to go spend money on especially at $2k per ticket for 500 level seats.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7049095/2026/02/15/nba-all-star-saturday-tickets-affordability/

 

I understand your position but this ain't no lame NBA all star game. This is the opening US game of the WC. It will be sold out and they won't be giving any free tickets away. Still 2 months away.

Especially when they announce Taylor Swift to sing the national anthem. (I kid....maybe).

 

The 40k number probably excludes sponsors, VIPs, and other tickets that were never on sale and never will be. And there are an exceptional amount of those for all US matches compared to others.

I personally don’t think USA-Paraguay is a big deal (it’s not even the real opening match). And so far, the public agrees. But FIFA is still holding out.

 

Putting a second group stage match in the same stadium at a lower price made it easier for locals, or in my case, non-locals within easy travel distance, to skip that opener and choose the other game. I didn't even apply for the $60 ticket draw because it came with the risk I could be selected for the full price. At this point I have made my plans for travel and time off work for other games, so I've written off any attempt to go to M4 even if prices drop. If someone wants to give me a free ticket, I will reconsider.

 

I'll be a buyer around $500 for these "Category 2" 400-500 level seats. If they don't come down significantly I image there will be empty seats or last minute giveaways. I would have paid more a few months ago, but last minute travel will be expensive plus it's now turned into a buyers market with 40% of the stadium unsold. Full rows of inventory available through FIFA and thousands more that are considered "sold" but were never intended for actual use and are on secondary markets. They are holding melting ice cubes at these prices.

 

if you had to guess, what would you peg get-in price at 48 hours for each of the U.S. group stage games?

 

I am sure others will have a better idea to answer this question directly. But let me add my two cents. Unless you live in the close vicinity of the venue there are two more considerations that you have to account for beyond just the ticket prices.
1. Its summer so airline fares are already expensive. Buying airline tickets with just a couple of days notice will be very expensive.
2. Unless you have friends in the area just where are you going to stay? Hotel and VRBO rentals have already jacked up their rates. Will you find some that close to game time? Perhaps and maybe even their prices will come down.

Again if you live in the area then fantastic, last minute tickets, which will likely come down in price (IF there are any left). But for those that have to travel you have to consider the total cost you are facing PLUS the quality of the ticket you might get, Which is why I went and forked out the cast for some good seats last week.

 

You can book flights and hotels without yet securing the game tickets. Have a price in mind of what you’re willing to pay and if it never hits there, then just find somewhere fun to watch on TV.

Hotels in particular aren’t a major concern. A place like LA has effectively infinite hotel supply. Seattle is a bit more difficult, but there will be a lot of last minute cancellations and good deals for those who wait.

 

Airline, buy a refundable ticket (or most airlines will just give you the refund in future credits to use). On where to stay, there is absolutely 0 cities here that are going to run out of hotel space/have a scarcity squeeze such that prices are going to be higher the day or two before your stay than they are now. The hotels/OTAs are just pricing in the human psychological "need" to have a hotel room booked and thus gross up prices to capture that desire.

 

I was able to grab USA/Australia Cat 1 tickets today in the latest FIFA "last minute" sale. I'm glad I didn't fork over 3x that price to scalpers on the secondary market.

 

How much were those tickets? I was never able to get in, after 5 hours in the queue FIFA sticks me with a "403 Forbidden" error and sends me back to the queue.

 

Oh man, that's terrible. Sorry to hear. If you are somewhat local, I still think the secondary market prices will come down a lot as we get closer to the game.

The tickets I got were $775 each Category 1. 200 level corner, but row D and near the USA supporters section so I'm happy. Still a lot more than I ever wanted to spend on a Group match but here we are.

 

Nice, I think that's a good deal.

 

Honestly no clue. I'll my point was mostly about M4 will not be an empty stadium.

Marketplace will drop dramatically by nature, just unsure if last minute sales portal will do the same.

 

Not too surprisingly, per the Athletic …

World Cup ticket resale prices are falling, including for USA opener vs. Paraguay

Resale ticket prices for nearly every 2026 World Cup game have declined in recent weeks, with tickets to dozens of matches — including the U.S. opener — now available for less than FIFA’s list price in the same category.

Resale prices for the U.S. opener, which have dipped significantly over the past month, were the most eye-opening. Category 1 tickets were listed on the resale marketplace for $1,323, less than half of the exorbitant primary price, $2,735 — and even hundreds of dollars less than the Category 2 primary price, $1,940.

 

Bonus coverage …

FIFA, world football’s governing body, has been widely criticised for ticket prices at this summer’s tournament, with the cheapest ticket in its three main categories for U.S.-Paraguay initially costing $1,120 (£823).

And now President Trump, who has a close relationship with Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, has offered his view.

“I did not know that number (the USMNT’s opening match prices),” the U.S. president said in an exclusive interview with the New York Post. “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.”

 

Tickets down to $700 vs Turkey

 

Saw a tweet on social media that only around 40,000 tickets have been sold against Paraguay. They’re going have to continue to drop the prices.

 

I warned about that a few weeks ago as the same thing happened for the NBA All-Star game (tickets priced way too high resulted in empty seats). I was told by several people that it will sell out and they won't have to lower prices or give away tickets. Tick Tock. I'm sure there are 30k people out there that are going to gobble up $2k nosebleed seats last minute

 

Is anyone here considering traveling to LA for either of the group matches here? I’m an LA local—and heading to the Türkiye game. Happy to lend anyone a hand with logistics or planning. Might have a housing link as well. Not sure if any of that is helpful but figured I’d offer it up to my BigSoccer brethren, just in case!

 

Really curious how these direct buses are going to work. I'm tempted try them but also looking at just parking at the forum as well?