Fans hoping to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout rounds may finally be catching a break. After soaring throughout the group stage, resale ticket prices for the tournament’s elimination matches have begun to fall significantly, creating new opportunities for supporters looking to experience the action in person.
According to TicketData, the average resale “get-in” price for Round of 32 matches has dropped dramatically over the past week, marking the first major decline in ticket prices since the tournament began.
World Cup knockout ticket prices fall
The average resale ticket price for Round of 32 matches fell 39% over the past seven days, dropping from $2,040 to $1,245.
The decline comes after ticket prices steadily increased leading up to and during the group stage, despite expectations from many fans and industry observers that prices would soften before kickoff.
TicketData also reported declines across every remaining knockout round:
- All knockout matches: Down 26%, from $2,930 to $2,165
- Round of 16: Down 28%, from $2,895 to $2,080
- Quarterfinals: Down 19%, from $3,660 to $2,970
- Semifinals: Down 16%, from $4,705 to $3,960
While prices remain well above face value for many matches, the recent downward trend is welcome news for fans who waited until the knockout stage to purchase tickets.
Biggest ticket price drops
Several Round of 32 matches experienced dramatic price declines during the past week.
Among the largest drops were:
- Germany vs. Paraguay (Boston): Down 68% to $466
- Belgium vs. Senegal: Down 68% to $421
- Switzerland vs. Algeria (Vancouver): Down 72% to $443
- England vs. DR Congo (Atlanta): Down 69% to $598
These sharp decreases suggest that supply has begun to outpace demand for certain matchups, especially those involving teams with smaller traveling fan bases.
Mexico vs. Ecuador remains one of the hottest tickets
Not every knockout match has become more affordable.
The Round of 32 meeting between Mexico and Ecuador in Mexico City has seen virtually no change in resale prices, falling just 1% over the past week. The average get-in price remains an eye-catching $2,849, making it one of the most expensive knockout matches on the resale market.
Strong local demand and Mexico’s passionate fan base continue to drive premium pricing for matches played at home.
Why are World Cup ticket prices dropping?
Several factors appear to be contributing to the recent decline in resale prices.
Many international supporters planned their trips around only the group stage or the Round of 32 before returning home, reducing demand for later matches. In addition, uncertainty surrounding which teams will advance has made some buyers hesitant to commit to expensive tickets before the tournament bracket is finalized.
FIFA has also released small batches of additional tickets through its official resale platform, increasing available inventory and placing downward pressure on resale prices.
Will ticket prices continue to fall?
It’s difficult to predict how resale prices will behave as the tournament progresses.
Historically, marquee matches involving popular national teams can still experience price spikes as demand intensifies. However, less anticipated matchups may continue to see declining prices as sellers compete to move inventory before kickoff.
Fans hoping to attend the later rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup may benefit from monitoring the resale market closely, as prices could fluctuate significantly depending on team results, travel demand, and ticket availability.
Final thoughts
After weeks of escalating prices, the 2026 FIFA World Cup resale market is finally showing signs of cooling. Round of 32 ticket prices have dropped nearly 40% over the past week, with several matches seeing declines of more than 65%.
While premium fixtures such as Mexico vs. Ecuador continue to command high prices, many other knockout matches have become considerably more affordable, giving fans a better chance to experience one of the world’s biggest sporting events live.