World Cup tickets drop under $200: The cheapest games to watch this summer in the US

It’s going to be an expensive summer for many soccer fans heading to the World Cup. The 2026 edition will be the biggest on record, with 104 games (up from 64 at Qatar 2022), and the longest with the action lasting 39 days from start to finish - 11 days longer than the last tournament.

For tournament organizers, FIFA, revenue is also set to break records, with over five million tickets already sold. But what will it mean for the punter? Or fans who want to soak up the World Cup experience up close, by watching a game from the stands.

Ticket prices in all three categories are higher in comparison to the last World Cup for a number of reasons. General inflation and dynamic pricing are the main causes for the hike. For example, a seat at MetLife Stadium to watch the final on July 19 will probably set you back somewhere between $3,500 and $9,000.

But for those who just want to be at the World Cup, and are willing to attend any game, there are still some bargains out there.

Ticket price tracking sites such as Ticketdata guide consumers to the cheapest seats on offer at the World Cup with prices fluctuating in real-time.

World Cup tickets for under $200

At the time pf publication, there were tickets for five games on sale for under $200 - which is less than half the average price for a group stage seat were going for when the schedule was announced in December.

The cheapest ticket currently listed is for the penultimate game in Group H between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia at NRG Stadium in Houston - yours for just $165.

For an extra 15 bucks, why not splash out on a ticket to watch Austria and Jordan scrap it out over in Santa Clara at Levi’s Stadium ($180) on June 16.

Jordan fans are in luck as they can also watch Al-Nashama’s next group stage game, against Algeria at the same venue for $190.

And there are still cheap seats for the penultimate match in Group J, the matchday 69 clash between Algeria and Austria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City - a snip at $192.

Those seeking some World Cup drama can head to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to see how Group K concludes as Uzbekistan take on Congo in what could be a decisive, final group stage contest. Tickets for the match, on June 27, are available for just $192.

FIFA urge caution when buying World Cup tickets from unofficial sources

To avoid fraud, FIFA urge fans to buy their World Cup tickets through trusted sources such as FIFA.com/tickets which also offers purchases through resale or exchange.

They also warn that anyone traveling to one of the three host nations (the United States, Canada and Mexico) should also check the respective entry requirements for those countries, as you may be denied entry for a number of reasons (visa issues, criminal record...) - even if you have a prized World Cup ticket.

FIFA’s Resale/Exchange Marketplace resale hub will remain up and running right up to the day of the final itself for any fans holding out for more last-minute bargains.

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