The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming soon, which means soccer fans are eager for the upcoming games. It’s especially exciting considering that Canada is hosting its first Men’s World Cup matches. Vancouver will be hosting 7 matches at BC Place.
But all of that excitement only comes if you’re able to procure tickets. “If” being the key word here.
A TOTAL GAMBLE
FIFA World Cup tickets are traditionally doled out through a lottery system. Fans can submit their request and then cross their fingers to get their much-desired tickets.
As with any lottery, it’s a complete mystery if you’ll end up with exactly what you wanted, or nothing at all.
FIFA generally holds the majority of tickets for distribution, but they have allocated some to the Canada Soccer Foundation for every Canada match. The exact number is said to be around 8 to 10 percent of a stadium’s capacity, although more details have yet to be released.
Following in FIFA’s footsteps, Canada Soccer will be holding a weighted ticket lottery for fans. Your chances of receiving a ticket or tickets will be dependent on what membership tier you have with CanadaRED, the Canada Soccer Foundation’s fanclub program.
HOW DO I GET TICKETS?
With CanadaRED, fans can “access Canada Soccer’s FIFA World Cup 26™ ticket lottery.” The program has different membership tiers that can give fans a better chance to secure tickets, hence the “weighted” lottery. It’s still random, but the odds are technically leaning in your favour– as long as you pay.
The prices vary from a free “Starter” membership and go all the way into the “Icon” tier which goes for $5,000 a year.
As the Canada Soccer Foundation website states, “The higher the tier, the higher the chances.”
More details will be coming as they are released. So far, neither dates for the Canada Soccer or FIFA ticket lottery have been released. Ticket prices are likewise unknown as of yet.
Still, if you’re a huge soccer fan, then this gamble might be worth the risk.
LOOKING FOR THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE?
There’s actually another way you can get FIFA tickets. The only issue is that it might set you back a couple thousand dollars.
As of Monday, July 14, you can purchase “hospitality” tickets from the FIFA website. Tickets are available for nine of the thirteen matches taking place in Canada, allocated into 5 different pricing tiers. They are separated into FIFA Pavilion, Champions Club, Trophy Lounge, VIP, and Pitchside Lounge.
Hospitality tickets are also known as box seats, and so they include all the luxury services you’d expect out of those types of tickets. Things like pre-match and post-match services, as well as food and drinks, are included in all the ticket tiers. Halftime service is available for the top three tiers instead.
Prices start at $2,500 with the FIFA Pavilion, and reach all the way to $5,350 for the Pitchside Lounge. Do note that these prices are all per person and per match.
- FIFA Pavilion: $2,500+
- Champions Club: $3,575+
- Trophy Lounge: $4,250+
- VIP: $4,850+
- Pitchside Lounge: $5,350+
If you’re looking for that ultimate FIFA experience, then hospitality tickets might be the ones for you. The tickets are not on sale just yet, but you can stay in the loop by registering your interest with FIFA.
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