How America Broke The World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be the most profitable tournament for FIFA and the most expensive for fans in history. Business Insider reporter Pete Syme investigated why ticket prices are so high and compiled five charts that illustrate just how out of reach many of the tournament’s games are for average fans. What Syme discovered is that ticket prices are higher than ever because FIFA has adopted ticketing practices common in North America, like dynamic pricing and running its own secondary resale market, where prices skyrocket further. But it doesn’t stop there. The additional costs fans have to pay are also high, including flights, hotels, and transit to game stadiums. Some American cities are jacking up transit prices on game days. When it’s all said and done, FIFA stands to make $13 billion during the 2026 World Cup cycle.