Golden tickets: FIFA reportedly made $5 billion from the 2026 World Cup
The estimate includes tickets and VIP packages: more than five times the previous World Cup, largely thanks to controversial dynamic pricing.
The World Cup in Mexico, the United States and Canada reportedly brought FIFA around $5 billion from tickets and hospitality packages, which combine match tickets with premium services and experiences.
The governing body has not yet confirmed that figure. Official results will be released in its next annual report, after the corresponding audits.
More than five times Qatar
The comparison with Qatar 2022 shows the scale of the jump. That tournament generated roughly $929 million from tickets and hospitality. If the 2026 estimate is confirmed, revenue would be about 5.4 times higher, an increase of nearly 438%.
The tournament also grew: from 64 to 104 matches, with 48 teams instead of 32. That meant 62.5% more matches, though the estimated rise in revenue was considerably larger.
The 2026 figure is an estimate; FIFA has not confirmed it yet.
| Qatar 2022 | 2026 World Cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Teams | 32 | 48 |
| Matches | 64 | 104 |
| Tickets and hospitality | ≈$929M | ≈$5B (estimate) |
| Average per match | ≈$14.5M | ≈$48M |
Dynamic pricing and resale
The sales model was at the heart of the debate. Prices could be adjusted between phases according to demand and availability. In addition, the official resale platform charged a 15% fee to the buyer and another 15% to the seller: FIFA also earned money whenever a ticket changed hands.
There was one difference for residents of Mexico: their exchange market only allowed tickets to be listed at the original price paid or less.
The costs sparked protests and a formal complaint to the European Commission, filed by fan and consumer groups who denounced excessive prices and opaque purchase conditions.
Gianni Infantino has argued that World Cup money funds football development across FIFA's 211 member associations. FIFA also offered a $60 ticket category for supporters of qualified teams, distributed through their federations.
If the $5 billion is confirmed, each match would have generated, on average, about 3.3 times Qatar's ticket and hospitality revenue. The business would have grown far more than the schedule.
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