FIFA World Cup Schedule Affects Resale Ticket Prices in Canada

Post by : Mina Rahman

Following the release of FIFA’s full schedule for the 2026 World Cup, resale ticket prices for matches in Toronto and Vancouver have seen a significant drop. The schedule confirmed that only a few high-profile games will be hosted in Canada, leading to this adjustment in prices. Despite the decrease, organizers in Toronto express confidence in maintaining a robust turnout from fans.

Over two million tickets had been sold before the matchups were revealed, as fans anticipated the teams that would take to the Canadian fields. With FIFA grouping 42 out of the 48 participating nations and detailing the match locations, fans discovered which teams would be featured in the Canadian venues.

Among the 16 host locations, Toronto and Vancouver are among the smallest, resulting in missed opportunities for several major matchups. BMO Field in Toronto, which accommodates 44,315 spectators, will host games featuring the ninth-ranked German team and the tenth-ranked Croatia, while prominent squads like England and France have been allocated to larger stadiums in the U.S. Vancouver's BC Place, which holds 48,821, will see Belgium as its top-ranked visiting team.

In the wake of the announcement, market reactions have been swift. Listings for the June 17 game in Toronto between Ghana and Panama plummeted over 50%. Conversely, the pricing for the match between Germany and Cote d’Ivoire on June 20 remained steadier, with some premium seats seeing slight increases. Vancouver's listings exhibited less volatility, with fluctuations around 10%.

Toronto’s World Cup lead, Sharon Bollenbach, emphasized that the early market reactions may not accurately reflect true demand, expecting interest to rise as fans engage with the newly released schedule. She anticipates that resale prices will stabilize after the initial excitement subsides.

Ahead of the schedule’s unveiling, FIFA had temporarily halted its resale platform. This service is set to resume on December 15, with more than four million tickets becoming available in January, priced dynamically according to demand.

Organizers also highlight that Toronto is poised to welcome teams with substantial local support, including Germany, Croatia, and possibly Italy, should they qualify on June 12. They advocate for the more personal atmosphere of BMO Field in contrast to the larger venues in the U.S., stating it will enhance the overall fan experience.