World Cup 2026 attendance approaches record as stadiums fill 99.6%

After 44 matches, the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico has attracted more than 2.85 million spectators, with an average stadium occupancy of 99.6 %. The tournament is on track to break the all‑time attendance record set at the 1994 World Cup, which drew about 3.6 million fans.

Ticket prices have risen under a new dynamic pricing model, with secondary‑market averages of $798, while FIFA has also allocated 130 000 tickets at $60 each. Despite the high cost, demand remains strong, driven by star players such as Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. FIFA projects ticket‑related revenue to exceed $3 billion, potentially reaching $4 billion, far surpassing the $949 million earned in Qatar 2022.