This year’s World Cup has drawn tremendous interest, with nearly 1 billion soccer fans eager for tickets.
According to Ross McCall, the executive director of commercial operations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, over 500 million applications for tickets have already been submitted for the upcoming tournament in North America. It’s pretty clear that the excitement isn’t fading anytime soon.
“We’ve just crossed the 500 million mark for ticket applications,” McCall shared. “This is a remarkable milestone. We’ve seen the highest number of applications ever for a World Cup,” he continued. “The demand is definitely there.”
The matches kick off in June across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring 48 teams and a total of 104 games.
McCall noted that there are “approximately 6.8 million” seats available, which means less than 2 percent of those wanting to attend will be able to get tickets at face value.
“Honestly, this could be the biggest event in history,” McCall mentioned.
Kathryn Schlossman, CEO of the Los Angeles 2026 World Cup Organizing Committee, added that a lottery system will be used for ticket distribution. So far, two draws have taken place, with another planned for February. “There could be more in the future,” she hinted.
With face value tickets being so limited, the secondary market has surged. Recent reports indicated that tickets for the final match were listed at over $200,000 in the FIFA resale market.
If fans can’t secure tickets, Schlossman and McCall suggested attending fan festivals or designated zones in the host cities as decent alternatives.
A press conference held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum featured actor Mario Lopez and soccer legends like Mia Hamm, Cobi Jones, and Julie Foudy. They discussed various interaction opportunities for fans, including spots like Venice Beach and Magic Johnson Park, among others in Los Angeles.
Officials expressed optimism that this event could generate over $1 billion for the local economy, highlighting the World Cup’s status as the most-watched sporting event globally. Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts remarked, “It will boost small businesses, cultural institutions, and communities everywhere.”
The excitement is palpable, especially for those fortunate enough to secure tickets.
