The most expensive general admission ticket ever for a football match is now $10,990 (£8,333) for the 2026 World Cup final in the United States, Canada and Mexico, revealed during the first open sale period.

This price dwarfs the initial maximum quoted in the bid book ($1,550) and even the earlier supporter club sale ($8,680). The final cost represents a staggering 38% increase from December's release prices, highlighting Fifa's dynamic pricing model where costs fluctuate based on demand. The Qatar 2022 final topped out at $1,604 (£1,214), underscoring the unprecedented escalation for this summer's tournament.

Technical glitches marred the open sale launch, with thousands of fans, including BBC Sport, experiencing a queue error redirecting them to PMA tickets before being forced back. Securing a ticket for the most popular matches proved difficult, with only a handful of group games and no knockout fixtures like England or Scotland's available initially. Prices for group stage matches ranged widely, from $140 (£106) to $2,985 (£2,261), with the Mexico vs South Africa opener showing the highest cost at $2,985 (£2,261) despite limited availability.

Corporate hospitality packages, such as the England vs Panama luxury suite at $124,800 (£94,444), further illustrate the premium attached to the event. Fifa's resale platform, imposing a 15% fee on both buyer and seller, is set to reopen, potentially driving prices even higher. The availability of tickets remains fluid, with Fifa indicating new releases could occur right up to kick-off.