The resale value of tickets for the 2026 World Cup has dropped significantly in recent weeks, according to new figures that point to weakening demand ahead of the tournament’s June kick-off.
Data published by Ticketdata.com shows steep declines across several matches, with prices for some games falling by more than half over the past month. The sharpest decreases include a 60% drop for the Australia versus Turkey match, while tickets for Iraq against Norway have fallen by 54%. Prices for the United States versus Turkey fixture are also down by 46%.
The figures suggest that sellers in the secondary market may have initially overestimated demand, forcing them to lower prices as the tournament approaches. Analysts say the corrections indicate that fans are unwilling to pay the high costs that had been attached to many resale listings.
The decline comes amid continued criticism of FIFA over the cost of official tickets. Supporters have complained that prices are beyond the reach of ordinary fans, particularly for premium seating options.
Official tickets in FIFA’s primary pricing tiers began at more than $1,100, while some premium lower-bowl seats were priced close to $3,000. Those high prices have reportedly contributed to weaker demand in the resale market, especially for premium sections where sellers had hoped to secure large profits.
Ticketdata.com also reported that the average price of a group-stage ticket across the tournament has fallen by approximately 24% during the last month. The broader decline suggests that the slowdown is not limited to a handful of matches but reflects a wider shift in buyer activity across the competition.
The correction in ticket prices is taking place as concerns grow over slowing travel demand ahead of the tournament. According to Newsweek, industry officials say summer hotel bookings are performing below expectations in several host locations.
Local businesses had invested heavily in preparation for an anticipated influx of international visitors, expecting the tournament to generate a major tourism boom. However, with bookings reportedly weaker than forecast, some businesses are now trying to recover costs after expanding operations and increasing staffing levels in anticipation of large crowds.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to begin on 11 June and will be the largest edition of the tournament to date. FIFA has expanded the competition to include 48 teams, increasing the scale of the event significantly from previous tournaments.
Matches will be staged across 16 host cities spread throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Organisers have promoted the tournament as a landmark sporting event expected to attract millions of supporters from around the world.
Despite those expectations, the recent fall in resale ticket prices and slower-than-anticipated hotel demand have raised questions about whether the market can sustain the high costs associated with attending the competition.
The latest figures are likely to intensify scrutiny of FIFA’s ticket pricing strategy as the countdown to the tournament continues.
