The Real Cost of Attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup [2026 Data + Survey]

The FIFA World Cup is the kind of event fans dream about seeing in person, but in 2026, getting to a match in the U.S. may take more than just excitement. Between tickets, flights, lodging, and everything else that comes with travel, attending 1 game could cost far more than many fans expect.

With the tournament coming to 11 U.S. host cities, we wanted to take a closer look at what that trip might actually cost and how international fans feel about the U.S. hosting such a major global event. To do that, we analyzed the estimated cost of attending a group-stage match in each U.S. host city and surveyed more than 2,400 people across 22 World Cup countries about their interest in attending, their views on traveling to the U.S., and the concerns that could shape their decision.

From the cities with the highest price tags to the countries whose residents are most hesitant about making the trip, here’s what we found.

Key Takeaways

• Boston is the most expensive U.S. host city to attend a World Cup match, according to our study, with an estimated total trip cost of $8,929, while Miami is the least expensive at $2,614.
• Resale ticket prices have surged well beyond original prices in several cities, led by Boston and Philadelphia, where median resale prices climbed to $4,986 per ticket for Category 1 seating.
• Airbnb prices near host venues also spike sharply during the tournament, with Boston and Kansas City seeing the biggest jumps compared to a typical summer weekend.
• 37% of international respondents said they’d be less likely to attend a World Cup hosted in the U.S., while 49% said the U.S. hosting the tournament makes them less excited overall.
• Safety, immigration concerns, and total trip cost all emerged as major barriers for international respondents, and 74% said their perception of the U.S. as a travel destination has worsened over the past year.

The Cost of Attending a World Cup Match in 2026

Seeing the World Cup in person is a bucket-list trip for many fans. In 2026, that dream could also come with a price tag that looks a lot like a full vacation budget.

To estimate what attending a match in the U.S. could actually cost, we calculated the expected price of a 3-day, 2-night trip in each of the 11 U.S. host cities during the group stage. That total includes a good seat, nearby lodging, airfare, rideshares, food and drinks during the stay, and 1 replica jersey.

The Cost of Attending the World Cup in U.S. Host Cities

• Boston: $8,929
• Philadelphia: $7,139
• Los Angeles: $5,630
• San Francisco: $5,624
• Houston: $5,383
• Atlanta: $5,268
• Dallas: $4,996
• Kansas City, Missouri: $4,716
• Seattle: $3,260
• New York: $3,082
• Miami: $2,614

The gap between cities is striking. Boston stands far above the rest with a total estimated trip cost of $8,929, while Miami comes in as the most affordable U.S. host city in our analysis at $2,614. 

While round-trip airfare into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) averaged a more moderate $377 according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), other costs soared. A 2-night Airbnb stay near Gillette Stadium averaged $3,044, the highest lodging total in our study, while the median resale ticket price for Scotland vs. Morocco reached $4,986. Add in other expenses for travel, meals, and entertainment, and Boston quickly becomes the priciest World Cup stop in the U.S.

Philadelphia ranks next at $7,139, driven by a similarly steep resale market. The median resale ticket price also hit just under $5,000 for a match against Brazil and Haiti, while a 2-night Airbnb stay near Lincoln Financial Field averaged $1,367. Flights into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) averaged $418, and although daily costs like rideshares and meals were more manageable than in other cities, the jump in ticket and lodging prices still pushed Philadelphia well above most other host cities.

Los Angeles comes in at $5,630, narrowly edging out San Francisco. Flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) averaged $414, while a 2-night Airbnb stay near SoFi Stadium cost $849. The biggest driver, though, was ticket demand, with median resale prices reaching $3,919 for Belgium vs. Iran.

At the other end of the spectrum, Miami is the most affordable U.S. host city in our analysis at $2,614. It had among the lowest airfares in the study at $347 for Miami International Airport (MIA), along with the lowest median resale ticket price at $778 for a Uruguay match. Their opponent wasn’t set yet at the time of research, likely contributing to the lower prices. A 2-night Airbnb stay near Hard Rock Stadium averaged $986, and while food and drink costs were not especially inexpensive, Miami’s ticket and travel prices helped keep the overall trip cost well below those in other host cities.

New York is another surprise. Even with the second-highest average airfare in the study at $432 and a much higher ride-share cost than average, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) still ranked as the second-least expensive host city overall at $3,082. That is largely because MetLife Stadium’s median resale ticket price was just $1,006 for Norway vs. Senegal, far lower than many other host cities, while lodging near the venue averaged $887 for 2 nights.

Then there’s Seattle, which lands at $3,260. Flights into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) averaged $400, and nearby lodging rose to $1,155 for a 2-night stay, but the city remained relatively affordable because its median resale ticket price was $1,220 for the Egypt vs. Iran match, much lower than in most of the top-priced host markets.

Bottom Line:

The data suggests that this is more than just “big city equals big price.” Event-driven pricing around the match matters more than the city’s usual reputation for being expensive.

The Cost Increase on Resale World Cup Tickets

To measure how much ticket prices have climbed, we compared original Phase 2 prices from November 2025 for Category 1 seats, as reported by The Athletic, against the median resale price on StubHub for the second group-stage match scheduled at each U.S. venue. That gives a clearer picture of what fans may actually face if they have to buy on the secondary market instead of through FIFA’s original release.

• Boston: From $410 to $4,986 
• Philadelphia: From $445 to $4,986 
• Houston: From $410 to $3,776 
• Atlanta: From $410 to $3,563 
• Dallas: From $445 to $3,016 
• Los Angeles: From $620 to $3,919
• San Francisco: From $620 to $3,877 
• Kansas City: From $410 to $1,479 
• Seattle: From $410 to $1,220 
• Miami: From $445 to $778 
• New York: From $620 to $1,006 

Resale pricing is where things really get out of hand. In Boston and Philadelphia, median resale prices for good seats climb to nearly $5,000, turning a ticket that originally cost a few hundred dollars into the single biggest trip expense by far. In both cities, ticket costs increased by over 1,000%. The resale ticket alone costs more than the average flight and nearby Airbnb stay combined.

There is some separation in the middle of the pack. Houston (821% increase), Atlanta (769%), and Dallas (578%) all saw steep jumps, with resale prices ranging from just over $3,000 to nearly $3,800. Meanwhile, Los Angeles and San Francisco (both with over 500% increases) started from a higher original ticket price at $620, but resale prices still pushed close to $4,000, showing that even the most expensive face-value seats did not shield fans from major markups.

On the lower end, Miami and New York saw much smaller increases, though “smaller” is relative when even those markets rose by 62% and 75%, respectively. For fans still hoping to secure tickets closer to face value, that gap matters. Those who already purchased seats during FIFA’s earlier phases, or who are waiting to see what becomes available through FIFA’s official ticketing page in early April, could save significantly compared to buyers who rely on resale.

The Cost Increase on Airbnbs During the World Cup

To measure how much lodging prices rise during the tournament, we compared the median Airbnb price near each stadium on a typical summer weekend with the median Airbnb price during the same 3-day trip window used in our cost analysis for a World Cup group-stage match. That gives a clearer look at how much fans may pay once World Cup demand hits the local short-term rental market.

• Boston: From $816 to $3,044 
• Kansas City: From $655 to $2,383 
• Philadelphia: From $567 to $1,367 
• Dallas: From $536 to $1,173 
• Seattle: From $631 to $1,155 
• Miami: From $567 to $986 
• Atlanta: From $538 to $853 
• New York: From $573 to $887 
• Houston: From $569 to $864 
• San Francisco: From $565 to $786 
• Los Angeles: From $633 to $849 

Lodging tells a similar story. Boston once again leads the way, with Airbnb prices near the venue jumping 273% during the World Cup window. Kansas City also stands out, posting the second-largest increase (264% jump) despite sitting much closer to the middle of the pack in overall trip cost. That suggests fans could face significant lodging premiums, even in cities that are usually seen as more manageable from a travel-cost perspective.

Next, there’s a fairly sharp drop-off. Philadelphia (141% increase) and Dallas (119%) more than doubled from their normal weekend baselines, while Seattle climbed 83%, pushing a 2-night stay above $1,100. Even when total trip costs stay below the most expensive host cities, lodging alone can still become a meaningful part of the budget.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles and San Francisco look relatively restrained by comparison. Their World Cup Airbnb totals are still not cheap in raw dollars, but the percentage increases are much smaller than what we saw in the top cities, at 34% and 39%, respectively. That is likely because both markets already start from a higher baseline. Some host cities are expensive year-round, while others become dramatically more expensive specifically because the World Cup is in town.

Attending a World Cup match in the U.S. could range from pricey to extremely expensive, depending on the city, and surge-style pricing on tickets and lodging plays a major role. For many fans, the challenge may go beyond getting to the tournament, adding the task of avoiding the inflated costs that come with a global event of this size. 

Next, we’ll look at how international fans feel about traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup and whether those costs are only part of the equation.

Hot Tip:

The cost of attending a World Cup match can add up fast, especially once tickets, flights, lodging, and other trip expenses start piling on. Travelers who use the right credit card can offset some of those costs through rewards on travel, dining, and entertainment purchases. For more ways to stretch your budget before match day, check out our guide to the best credit cards for entertainment.

How Do International Fans Feel About Traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup?

The cost of attending the World Cup is only part of the story of the 2026 tournament. Even if fans could look past airfare, tickets, and lodging, many still have bigger questions about what it would feel like to travel to the U.S. for the tournament in the first place.

To better understand that side of the equation, we surveyed more than 2,400 people across 22 countries represented in the 2026 World Cup. Respondents were asked to assume cost and logistics were not barriers for some questions, helping separate pure excitement about attending from the real-world concerns that could shape whether they would actually make the trip.

Interest in the Tournament Takes a Hit

For many international fans, the U.S. being a host is not adding to the excitement. If anything, it is doing the opposite.

• 37% of respondents said they would be less likely to attend a World Cup hosted in the U.S. than one hosted elsewhere.
• 49% said the U.S. hosting the World Cup makes them less excited about the tournament overall.
• Among respondents who are very aware of U.S. political news, that figure rises to 62%.

For an event that usually builds anticipation years in advance, this is notable. The World Cup is often sold as a global celebration, but for some of the respondents in our survey, the U.S. host role appears to be dampening enthusiasm rather than building it.

Safety and Border Concerns Loom Large

Even when fans are interested in the tournament itself, many do not sound fully comfortable with the idea of traveling to the U.S. right now.

• 59% of respondents said they would feel unsafe traveling to the U.S. for a major sporting event right now.
• 27% said they would feel very unsafe.
• 66% said recent immigration-related events have made them more hesitant to travel to the U.S.
• 33% said they would be very or extremely concerned about running into issues with U.S. border control.
• Just 16% said they would not be at all concerned about border-related issues.

That suggests hesitation is not just about the tournament itself. For a large share of respondents, concern starts before kickoff, regarding the trip to the U.S. and the process of getting in.

Politics, Immigration, and Cost Are All Part of the Same Picture

When asked what would make them apprehensive about traveling to the U.S. right now, respondents pointed to a mix of political, practical, and cultural concerns.

• 55% cited political polarization or unrest.
• 53% cited concerns about entry.
• 52% cited stricter immigration enforcement.
• 51% cited travel costs.
• 45% cited anti-foreigner sentiment.

That combination is what makes the results especially interesting. Yes, cost matters, and we already saw that in the travel analysis. But the survey suggests many international fans are thinking about the full experience, not just the price tag. Concerns about affordability are showing up right alongside concerns about politics, border enforcement, and whether visitors will actually feel welcome once they arrive.

The U.S. Is Widely Seen as the More Expensive Host Option

That cost concern is not happening in a vacuum, either. Many respondents already expect the U.S. to be a more expensive place to attend a major sporting event.

• 79% of respondents said they expect the U.S. to be more expensive than other countries that host major sporting events.
• 30% said they expect it to be much more expensive.

That sentiment lines up with our pricing survey results. Between rising resale ticket prices, inflated short-term lodging rates, and the rest of the travel budget, many fans appear to be anticipating exactly the kind of expensive tournament experience our city-by-city breakdown revealed.

Fans Are Split on Whether Politics Should Matter

Respondents were not entirely aligned on how much a host country’s politics should shape the conversation around a global event as 57% of respondents said international sporting events should be separated from a host country’s politics.

Many respondents clearly have concerns about traveling to the U.S., but a majority also believe the event itself should stand apart from the politics surrounding the host country. Some fans may be trying to hold 2 ideas at once: that the World Cup should remain a global sporting event and that real-world concerns still affect whether they would want to attend.

The U.S. Has a Perception Problem With International Visitors

The results point to a broader issue with how the U.S. is currently viewed as a travel destination.

• 37% of respondents said they expect the U.S. to be welcoming to international visitors during the World Cup.
• 38% said they expect the U.S. to be unwelcoming.
• 74% said their perception of the U.S. as a travel destination has worsened over the past year.

That near-even split over whether the U.S. will feel welcoming is telling on its own. Pair it with the fact that nearly 3 in 4 respondents said their view of the country as a destination has gotten worse, and it becomes clear that the challenge isn’t just about costs. It may also be about rebuilding confidence in the travel experience around the tournament.

International fans are weighing much more than match-day excitement when they think about traveling to the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup. Cost is a factor, but safety concerns, immigration issues, politics, and the country’s broader reputation are also shaping how people feel about attending. 

Next, we’ll take a closer look at how the 22 countries in our study stacked up on some of the survey’s biggest questions.

How Different Countries Feel About Traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup

The broader survey results show that many international fans have real reservations about traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup. But those concerns are not evenly spread across every country we surveyed. Some countries stood out again and again, especially when it came to safety, excitement, immigration concerns, and how much views of the U.S. have shifted over the past year.

Countries Where Perceptions of the U.S. Have Worsened the Most

Based on respondents who said their perception of the U.S. as a travel destination has worsened over the past year, these countries topped the list:

• Austria: 86.3%
• Japan: 85.6%
• Scotland: 85.3%
• Australia: 85%
• Netherlands: 85%

In each of these countries, more than 85% of respondents said their perception of the U.S. as a travel destination has worsened. That suggests the issue is not isolated to 1 region or travel market. It stretches across Europe, Asia, and Oceania, reinforcing the idea that the U.S. may be dealing with a broad reputational challenge heading into the tournament.

Countries Least Excited About a U.S.-Hosted World Cup

We also asked whether the U.S. hosting the World Cup increased or decreased excitement about the tournament. These countries were the most likely to say it decreased their excitement:

• Scotland: 67.4%
• Austria: 63.7%
• Portugal: 63.6%
• Netherlands: 62%
• New Zealand: 61.9%

Scotland led the way here, with more than 2 in 3 respondents saying a U.S.-hosted World Cup makes them less excited about the event. Austria and the Netherlands also appear again. In several countries, lower excitement is not just about sports preference or distance. It appears tied to how respondents currently feel about traveling to the U.S. more broadly.

Where Traveling to the U.S. Feels Least Safe

Safety concerns were another major theme throughout the survey. These countries were the most likely to say traveling to the U.S. feels unsafe right now:

• Portugal: 78.8%
• New Zealand: 75.2%
• Austria: 74.5%
• Australia: 73%
• Scotland: 71.6%

Portugal stands out most sharply, with nearly 4 in 5 respondents saying travel to the U.S. feels unsafe right now. New Zealand, Austria, Australia, and Scotland were not far behind. What is especially notable is the overlap with the earlier findings. Several of the same countries that reported worsening views of the U.S. or lower excitement about the tournament also showed some of the strongest safety concerns, suggesting these perceptions may be reinforcing each other.

Countries Most Hesitant Because of U.S. Immigration Policies

Recent immigration-related events also appeared to weigh heavily on respondents in several countries. These were the countries most likely to say those events had made them more hesitant to travel to the U.S.:

• Portugal: 80.8%
• New Zealand: 78.1%
• Japan: 77.9%
• Austria: 77.5%
• Scotland: 75.8%

Portugal again ranked at the top, followed by New Zealand, Japan, Austria, and Scotland. This is one of the clearest signals in the survey. In these countries, immigration concerns are not sitting on the sidelines. They appear central to how respondents are thinking about whether a World Cup trip to the U.S. feels worth it or risky.

What Would Actually Keep Fans Home?

We wrapped up by asking respondents what the top reason would be for skipping the World Cup in the U.S. The answers varied by country, and the divide was revealing.

Political climate was the top reason in:

• Austria: 45.1%
• Belgium: 35.3%
• England: 39.5%
• France: 37.3%
• Germany: 43.5%
• Ireland: 35%
• Netherlands: 39%
• New Zealand: 42.9%

For these countries, the political environment stood out more than cost or logistics. That is especially notable in several Western European countries, where concerns about the broader U.S. climate appear to be shaping travel sentiment in meaningful ways.

Safety concerns were the top reason in:

• Australia: 40%
• Portugal: 46.4%
• Saudi Arabia: 30.8%
• Scotland: 36.8%
• South Africa: 41.4%
• South Korea: 41.1%

Safety was the top deterrent across a fairly wide mix of countries. Portugal stands out again, this time with the highest share in this group. Scotland and Australia also appear once more, which aligns with their broader concerns elsewhere in the survey.

Total trip cost was the top reason in:

• Argentina: 47.6%
• Brazil: 41.7%
• Colombia: 37.7%
• Egypt: 33%
• Japan: 44.2%
• Morocco: 45.2%
• Spain: 42.2%
• Sweden: 35.9%

In these countries, affordability won out as the biggest barrier. That makes sense given how expensive it can be to attend a World Cup match in the U.S., especially once flights, lodging, and resale ticket prices are factored in. 

The country-level results show that there is no single reason international fans may hesitate to attend a U.S.-hosted World Cup. In some countries, politics is the main issue. In others, safety or immigration concerns lead the way. And sometimes, the total cost of the trip may be the biggest hurdle of all. That variation matters because it shows the challenge is not just getting fans excited about the tournament. It is understanding what kind of concerns are shaping that excitement in different parts of the world.

Methodology

To estimate the cost of attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., we analyzed 8 travel-related cost factors across the tournament’s 11 U.S. host cities. Our total cost estimate reflects the price of attending 1 group-stage match and includes a 2-night Airbnb stay near the venue, round-trip airfare, ride-shares, food, drinks, 1 replica jersey, and the median resale price of a Category 1 ticket from StubHub.

The cost factors are as follows:

We also compared World Cup-period prices with typical pricing to see how much costs rise during the tournament. For tickets, we compared original Phase 2 Category 1 prices with the median resale price for the second group-stage match at each U.S. venue. For lodging, we compared the median Airbnb price near each stadium during the World Cup with the median price on a typical summer weekend. The resale ticket and Airbnb price data was pulled in late March 2026. 

To understand how international fans feel about traveling to the U.S. for the tournament, we also surveyed 2,400 non-U.S. residents across 22 countries represented in the 2026 World Cup. Respondents answered questions about their interest in attending, their perceptions of traveling to the U.S., and whether political, immigration, safety, and cost-related concerns would affect their decision.

Respondents were not required to identify as soccer fans, which helped us focus on travel sentiment rather than fandom alone. The survey was conducted online over 2 weeks in March 2026. All responses were anonymous, and results are reported in aggregate.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises unforgettable moments, but for many international fans, getting to the U.S. may feel just as daunting as the tournament itself. Our study found that attending a match in any of the 11 U.S. host cities could come with a steep price tag, although the survey results showed that cost is only part of the equation. Concerns about safety, immigration, politics, and the overall travel experience are also shaping how fans around the world feel about making the trip.

Those findings highlight just how layered major-event travel can be. Even for a tournament as global as the World Cup, excitement does not always outweigh the realities of booking flights, finding affordable lodging, securing tickets, and feeling confident about the destination itself.

That’s where smart travel planning matters. At Upgraded Points, helping travelers stretch their budgets, maximize rewards, and make more informed decisions is always part of the goal. Whether fans are planning a World Cup trip or any other bucket-list getaway, understanding the real cost of travel can make the journey a little easier to navigate.