FIFA reportedly to charge both buyers and sellers 15 percent fee on its 2026 World Cup ticket resale platform as initial prices soar

FIFA dramatically altered its approach to secondary ticket markets compared to previous tournaments. For past World Cups, the governing body typically capped resale prices at face value while taking smaller fees of 10 percent or less.

For 2026, FIFA has reportedly abandoned price caps for matches in the United States and Canada, a decision officials defended by claiming that restrictions would drive sellers to third-party platforms such as StubHub.

FIFA has implemented a different policy in Mexico, where ticket resale laws are stricter. After the Mexican government lobbied for consumer protections, FIFA agreed to limit resale prices to face value for matches held in the country.

With the 15 percent fee structure applied to both sides of each transaction, FIFA will effectively collect $30 for every $100 in resales on its platform, creating substantial additional revenue beyond primary ticket sales. Those fees reportedly align with standard practices among major U.S. resale companies such as StubHub and SeatGeek.

Within hours of the platform's launch on Thursday, numerous tickets appeared at dramatically inflated prices, some priced at several times - even more than 10 times - higher than what original purchasers paid during Wednesday's primary sale.

This immediate price escalation occurred despite FIFA's substantial inventory still available through official channels at face value. Reports suggests that speculators quickly moved to establish positions on premium matches and categories, particularly for high-demand matches - including the final at MetLife Stadium and marquee group stage games.

FIFA stands to collect substantial additional revenue through its resale platform beyond the billions of dollars already generated through primary market sales. With the tournament expanded to 104 matches across 16 venues, the potential secondary market volume could reach unprecedented levels.

That revenue opportunity factored into FIFA's decision to allow uncapped pricing in the U.S. and Canada while implementing a fee structure that captures significant value from each transaction.