A simple timeline, smart buying tips, and what we’ve learned helping fans at the last three World Cups.
If you’re dreaming about 2026, you’re not alone. This will be the biggest FIFA World Cup in history—48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 host cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It’s the first time the tournament will span three nations, and the first time the U.S. has hosted in over three decades. That kind of scale makes it more than a global sporting event—it’s a once-in-a-generation experience.
Demand will be massive. StubHub data already shows early spikes in fan interest, particularly in key markets like Los Angeles, New York, Mexico City, and Toronto. And with new tournament formats, additional ticket releases, and city-specific allotments, the journey to secure a seat can feel overwhelming.
That’s where we come in. Between StubHub and viagogo, this is our fifth World Cup. We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of fans attend World Cups in South Africa (2010), Brazil (2014), Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022). We’ve seen what works, what surprises fans, and what strategies actually get you in. This playbook is built on years of experience across the world’s biggest events—practical tips, trusted timelines, and real insights from the front lines of global ticketing.
How ticket sales work for the World Cup
Tickets are released in phases as we edge closer to the tournament start on June 11, 2026. The first ticket drop happened in October, 2025 with next drops expected in mid November early December.
StubHub has a steady supply of tickets you can purchase anytime from fans who purchased tickets in official releases and brokers who have tickets from direct relationships in the industry.
At this time, tickets are assigned a Category rather than specific seat, so you can’t choose seats when purchasing. The ticket Category refers to a specific area within the stadium as indicated on StubHub and FIFA’s maps. Once the event allocates seating, your ticket on the FIFA app will update to include this information.
Timeline
- Now through December 4: Best time to buy if you have a city-first strategy. Competition to purchase tickets is lower before the Final Draw when matchups are known, so this is a great time to lock in your World Cup plans early.
- December 5, Final Draw & December 6, Schedule Release: The Final Draw will take place in Washington, D.C. at 12pm ET. At this time, we’ll know the first team matchups. On December 6th, the schedule will drop. This is the first time you can buy tickets to watch specific teams play. Expect competition to be fierce as fans aim to secure tickets for desired team/location combos.
- Early 2026: There will be additional ticket releases as the tournament approaches, so expect to see ticket options evolve over time as new tickets and resale tickets continue to enter the market.
- June 11, Tournament start: Set your budget bands (good/better/best), shortlist 2–3 matches or cities, and decide who you’re going with. Build in travel and lodging holds with flexible policies.
- Pro tip: Listings change as fans firm up travel—especially 2–4 weeks before a match.
- Pro tip: Listings change as fans firm up travel—especially 2–4 weeks before a match.
- June 28, Knockout rounds begin: Prices and urgency typically climb as brackets fill. Having a predetermined budget helps you act fast when the right seat appears.
- July 9-18, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals & Playoffs: From here on out, tickets are highly coveted by fans of teams edging closer to victory and others seeking to experience peak energy live in the stadium. Average ticket prices will continue to increase through the final game.
- July 19, Final: This is your bucket list moment to witness history unfold as two teams battle it out for a World Cup win.
Smart ways to buy safely:
- Stick with trusted marketplaces with buyer protections. Every order on StubHub is backed by our FanProtect Guarantee (you get in the door or your money back), with dedicated 24/7 customer service support.
- Double-check your ticket category. This is the area of the stadium your seats will be in once FIFA assigns them.
- Beware of screenshots and person-to-person DMs. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Never buy off social media or pay in cash. The last thing you want is a surprise at the gate with no backup plan.
Lessons from past World Cups:
While every tournament is unique, fan behavior we’ve seen before indicates:
- Tourist attractions bring big demand: Consider your all-in budget; in some cases, traveling to a less popular hosting city might be more affordable, compared to a game in New York/New Jersey, Miami, etc.
- Demand spikes usually occur when a match is announced or a team clinches a spot, and often settles 24-48 hours later.
- Don’t expect price drops last minute for in-demand games: In some cases prices will drop as an event approaches, but for a very high in-demand game like a final, or very notable matchup, we often see the opposite happen.
Fans have trusted StubHub across the last three World Cups, and we’ve built these tips from those patterns—plus thousands of other global events.
Plan like a pro:
- Travel & stay: Price out two-city options to compare travel costs. The sooner you book, the more options you’ll have. Search for other events on StubHub in the area to round out your stay.
- Getting Around: Check local transit options for affordable ways to get around and to the games. StubHub also sells parking passes if you choose to drive.
- Book lodging: on Booking.com – we make it easy with an integration at checkout.
- Save your payment and traveler details to move quickly.
Build your plan B (and C)
- Can’t make it to your dream match? Consider:
- Another match in the same city
- Watch-parties: Official fan fests and neighborhood spots can be electric—and easier on the wallet. Look out from more from us.
- Another match in the same city
The magic of a World Cup is being there when it happens. With a clear plan, trusted protections, and a little flexibility, you can trade panic for confidence—and turn your 2026 “maybe” into a memory.
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