With the FIFA World Cup set to kick off across North America in just weeks, the resale market for tickets is cooling fast—offering a rare break for fans who balked at eye-watering prices. According to data from TicketData, the average resale price for the cheapest group-stage ticket has fallen 23% over the past month, sliding from roughly $730 on April 20 to $560 by May 20.
The drop comes as the tournament—spanning the United States, Mexico, and Canada—prepares to welcome millions of fans starting June 11. But despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s January claim that demand this year is equivalent to “1,000 years of World Cups at once,” the secondary market tells a different story.
“Prices are going down because there’s not enough purchasing going on right now to support the current sky-high prices,” TicketData founder Keith Pagello told NBC News. The trend suggests that even a global spectacle has its price ceiling, especially when fans feel squeezed by broader economic pressures.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump weighed in on the controversy, telling The New York Post he “wouldn’t pay it either” after learning the cost of tickets. “I did not know that number,” Trump said. “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.” His comments resonated with many Americans already grappling with rising costs—a dynamic that has fueled ongoing debates over Trumpflation and its impact on household budgets.
Another factor driving down resale prices is FIFA’s unpredictable ticket release strategy. Since presales began in September 2025, the governing body has released tickets in waves—some planned, others “relative surprises,” according to Forbes. Three last-minute sales releases since April 1 have added inventory, and FIFA has said it will continue to release tickets “subject to availability” up to and through the tournament’s end. Data from the online extension FIFA Ticket Scout, reported by Newsweek, shows at least nine group-stage matches still have 1,000 tickets available as of this week.
The secondary market’s decline mirrors a broader trend in live events, where a landmark antitrust verdict against Live Nation-Ticketmaster has already reshaped the industry. For World Cup fans, the current dip offers a window of opportunity—though Infantino’s earlier prediction that all 104 matches would be sold out suggests FIFA expects demand to surge as the tournament nears.
Still, the price drop underscores a reality check for organizers: even a once-in-a-lifetime event must contend with economic headwinds and consumer caution. As the June 11 opener approaches, the question is whether the current softness in resale prices is a temporary lull or a sign of deeper resistance to FIFA’s pricing strategy.
