World Cup Ticket Prices Surpass Mortgage Costs in These 5 US Cities: Report
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Soccer fans eager to attend the World Cup in person may need to prepare for a significant financial commitment.
The tournament is set to kick off on Thursday in Mexico City, marking the beginning of a six-week event anticipated to attract between 5 million and 6 million fans across 16 host cities in North America. However, for many fans in the U.S., securing a ticket to the stadium has become a daunting financial challenge, according to Realtor.com.
In five of the 11 U.S. host cities, the lowest-priced tickets for late-stage tournament matches exceed the average monthly mortgage payment in those areas, as reported by Realtor.com, which cited research from PropertyShark.
A general view outside MetLife Stadium on June 9, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
This means fans in cities like Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Kansas City, and the New York area could be spending the equivalent of a mortgage payment—or even more—for a single ticket. This figure does not account for additional expenses such as airfare, hotel accommodations, food, parking, or merchandise.
The highest ticket prices are for the final match on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the least expensive seats are listed at a staggering $7,256. This far exceeds New York’s average monthly mortgage payment of $4,096 and average rent of $4,872, according to Realtor.com.
In Dallas, the cheapest tickets for the semifinal on July 14 are priced at $2,391, slightly above the city’s average mortgage payment of $2,351. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the lowest-priced semifinal tickets are $2,208, surpassing the average mortgage payment of $2,149.
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A general view of FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at Kansas City Stadium on June 8, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images / Getty Images)
In Kansas City, the cheapest seats for a match on July 11 are priced at $1,567, compared to an average mortgage payment of $1,477. In Miami, the lowest-priced tickets for the Colombia versus Portugal match on June 27 are $2,700, nearly matching the city’s average mortgage payment and rent, according to Realtor.com.
Many consumers have already been priced out. A survey by LiveSportsonTV revealed that 52% of U.S. soccer fans have abandoned plans to purchase World Cup tickets due to the exorbitant prices.
“We’re witnessing unprecedented prices for events like the World Cup due to simple supply and demand,” stated Mark Sanaiha of Macallan Capital. “For years, the experience economy has outpaced wage growth, and younger generations are not expected to alter this trend.”
AMERICANS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT INNOVATION ADDRESSING MAJOR CHALLENGES, SURVEY FINDS
A detailed view of a FIFA World Cup 2026 sign inside Dallas Stadium on April 13, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The pricing structure has also attracted scrutiny from state officials. Attorneys general in Texas, New York, New Jersey, and California have initiated investigations into the ticket pricing and packaging policies for the World Cup, as reported by Realtor.com.
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“Being transparent about ticket sales is not complicated,” stated New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “However, FIFA has turned the ticket purchasing process for the World Cup into a confusing maze filled with fake scarcity and exorbitant prices—all at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans.”
Check out what’s clicking on FoxBusiness.com.
Soccer fans eager to attend the World Cup in person may need to prepare for a significant financial commitment.
The tournament is set to kick off on Thursday in Mexico City, marking the beginning of a six-week event anticipated to attract between 5 million and 6 million fans across 16 host cities in North America. However, for many fans in the U.S., securing a ticket to the stadium has become a daunting financial challenge, according to Realtor.com.
In five of the 11 U.S. host cities, the lowest-priced tickets for late-stage tournament matches exceed the average monthly mortgage payment in those areas, as reported by Realtor.com, which cited research from PropertyShark.
A general view outside MetLife Stadium on June 9, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
This means fans in cities like Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Kansas City, and the New York area could be spending the equivalent of a mortgage payment—or even more—for a single ticket. This figure does not account for additional expenses such as airfare, hotel accommodations, food, parking, or merchandise.
The highest ticket prices are for the final match on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the least expensive seats are listed at a staggering $7,256. This far exceeds New York’s average monthly mortgage payment of $4,096 and average rent of $4,872, according to Realtor.com.
In Dallas, the cheapest tickets for the semifinal on July 14 are priced at $2,391, slightly above the city’s average mortgage payment of $2,351. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the lowest-priced semifinal tickets are $2,208, surpassing the average mortgage payment of $2,149.
10 HOTTEST RENTAL HOUSING MARKETS IN THE US THIS SUMMER
A general view of FIFA World Cup 2026 signage at Kansas City Stadium on June 8, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images / Getty Images)
In Kansas City, the cheapest seats for a match on July 11 are priced at $1,567, compared to an average mortgage payment of $1,477. In Miami, the lowest-priced tickets for the Colombia versus Portugal match on June 27 are $2,700, nearly matching the city’s average mortgage payment and rent, according to Realtor.com.
Many consumers have already been priced out. A survey by LiveSportsonTV revealed that 52% of U.S. soccer fans have abandoned plans to purchase World Cup tickets due to the exorbitant prices.
“We’re witnessing unprecedented prices for events like the World Cup due to simple supply and demand,” stated Mark Sanaiha of Macallan Capital. “For years, the experience economy has outpaced wage growth, and younger generations are not expected to alter this trend.”
AMERICANS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT INNOVATION ADDRESSING MAJOR CHALLENGES, SURVEY FINDS
A detailed view of a FIFA World Cup 2026 sign inside Dallas Stadium on April 13, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images / Getty Images)
The pricing structure has also attracted scrutiny from state officials. Attorneys general in Texas, New York, New Jersey, and California have initiated investigations into the ticket pricing and packaging policies for the World Cup, as reported by Realtor.com.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
“Being transparent about ticket sales is not complicated,” stated New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “However, FIFA has turned the ticket purchasing process for the World Cup into a confusing maze filled with fake scarcity and exorbitant prices—all at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans.”
