2026 World Cup
Budget Planning
How much does a 2026 World Cup trip actually cost? This guide breaks down real‑world budgets for solo fans, couples, and groups across USA, Canada, and Mexico—plus the easiest ways to save without killing the experience.
This page pairs with our visa guide and transportation guide so you can line up documents, routes, and money in one plan.
Updated December 12, 2025 · KickoffAdventures Editorial Team
Typical Trip Range
2–3 group‑stage matches, mid‑range hotels, economy flights, and mixed meals (street food + casual restaurants).
Budget at a Glance
- Core Budget Range
- $2,500 – $6,000 per person
- Biggest Line Items
- Flights + Hotels (60–75%)
- Daily Spend Target
- $80 – $200 / day (excl. hotel)
- Cheapest Host Country
- Typically Mexico
- Most Expensive Cities
- New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver
- When to Start Booking
- 6–9 months before first match
All figures on this page are planning estimates based on typical tournament pricing. Actual prices will vary by city, match, booking date, and exchange rates.
Sample Budgets for Different Fans
These example budgets are not theoretical—they reflect how fans actually travel: a mix of 2–3 group‑stage matches, economy flights, mid‑range hotels, and a few splurges.
Solo Saver
7 days · 2 matches · 1 country
$2,500–$3,000
- Host city in USA or Mexico
- Budget–mid hotels or shared rooms
- Category 3 tickets
- Street food + casual restaurants
Couple Mid‑Range
9 days · 3 matches · 1–2 cities
$4,500–$6,500
- Mix of USA + Mexico or USA + Canada
- 3‑star or 4‑star hotels
- Category 2 or 3 tickets
- Some stadium merch and activities
Friends Group (4)
10 days · 3–4 matches · 2 countries
$8,000–$14,000
- Apartment or vacation rentals
- Shared rides and split taxis
- Mix of ticket categories
- 1–2 "big night out" budgets built in
Pro move
Build your own budget by picking the closest profile above, then adjusting flights and nightly rates using our stadium and city guides.
These ranges are estimates, not guarantees. Always check live prices for your exact dates, cities, and ticket categories before locking in a final budget.
Cost Breakdown by Country
Numbers below are ballpark ranges for tournament time. Prices jump during knockout rounds and in smaller host cities with limited hotel inventory.
| Item | USA (USD) | Canada (USD) | Mexico (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel (mid‑range, per night) | $220 – $380 | $200 – $340 | $110 – $220 |
| Budget room / shared stay | $120 – $220 | $100 – $200 | $50 – $120 |
| Restaurant meal (casual) | $18 – $30 | $16 – $28 | $8 – $18 |
| Street food / quick bite | $8 – $14 | $7 – $12 | $3 – $7 |
| Beer at bar | $7 – $12 | $6 – $10 | $3 – $6 |
| Local transit ticket | $2 – $4 | $2 – $3 | $0.75 – $1.50 |
| Rideshare (15–20 min) | $18 – $35 | $16 – $30 | $6 – $15 |
| Stadium parking | $30 – $60 | $20 – $40 | $10 – $25 |
How to read this table
Think in ranges, not exact prices. New York, Los Angeles, and Vancouver will sit at the higher end, while secondary host cities and Mexican cities often stay closer to the lower end of each band.
What we are already seeing in the US market
Hotel partners and early data for 2026 match windows already show nightly rates trending well above the same weeks in previous years, especially in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and other high‑demand hubs. That pattern mirrors what many fans reported for recent tournaments and club events in the US, where centrally located hotels filled early and last‑minute prices climbed sharply.
Fans who travelled for past US‑hosted tournaments and major friendlies consistently say the same thing: booking walkable options early felt expensive at the time, but looked like a bargain by the week of the match.
💰 City-by-City Cost Comparison
Hotel costs during World Cup weeks vary dramatically by host city. This table shows average nightly rates for mid-range 3-4 star hotels within 5 miles of stadiums during June-July 2026 (based on early booking data and comparable event pricing).
| City | Budget Hotel | Mid-Range | Daily Costs | Budget Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 New York | $280-400 | $400-600+ | $140-200 | Expensive |
| 🇺🇸 Los Angeles | $260-380 | $380-550 | $130-190 | Expensive |
| 🇺🇸 San Francisco | $240-350 | $350-520 | $120-180 | Expensive |
| 🇺🇸 Seattle | $220-320 | $320-480 | $110-170 | Expensive |
| 🇺🇸 Boston | $200-300 | $300-450 | $100-160 | Moderate |
| 🇺🇸 Miami | $220-330 | $330-480 | $110-170 | Moderate |
| 🇺🇸 Philadelphia | $180-280 | $280-420 | $90-150 | Moderate |
| 🇺🇸 Atlanta | $170-260 | $260-400 | $85-140 | Moderate |
| 🇺🇸 Dallas | $150-230 | $230-360 | $80-130 | Budget Hub |
| 🇺🇸 Houston | $140-220 | $220-340 | $75-125 | Budget Hub |
| 🇺🇸 Kansas City | $120-200 | $200-320 | $70-120 | Budget Hub |
| 🇨🇦 Toronto | $180-280 | $280-420 | $90-150 | Moderate |
| 🇨🇦 Vancouver | $200-300 | $300-460 | $100-160 | Expensive |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico City | $80-150 | $150-250 | $50-90 | Budget Hub |
| 🇲🇽 Guadalajara | $70-130 | $130-220 | $45-80 | Budget Hub |
| 🇲🇽 Monterrey | $75-140 | $140-230 | $48-85 | Budget Hub |
💸 Expensive City Example (NYC)
✅ Budget Hub Example (Kansas City)
Savings opportunity: Choosing Kansas City over NYC for a 4-night stay saves $1,240-1,360 (52-55% cheaper). That's enough to cover flights from Europe or an entire extra match weekend.
Methodology: Estimates based on Booking.com hotel pricing during comparable events (Super Bowl, Copa América, major concerts) in each city, adjusted for 2026 World Cup demand. "Mid-range" = 3-4 star hotels within 5 miles of stadium. "Daily costs" = food, local transport, activities (excludes hotel and match tickets). All figures in USD.
🎟️ Match Ticket Costs (2026 Estimates)
FIFA hasn't released official 2026 pricing yet, but based on 2022 Qatar pricing (+15-20% inflation adjustment) and historical North American tournament pricing, expect these ranges:
| Match Stage | Cat 3 (Upper) | Cat 2 (Mid) | Cat 1 (Lower) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | $100-180 | $180-300 | $300-500 |
| Round of 32 | $120-220 | $220-380 | $380-650 |
| Round of 16 | $150-280 | $280-480 | $480-800 |
| Quarter-Finals | $200-380 | $380-680 | $680-1,200 |
| Semi-Finals | $300-550 | $550-1,000 | $1,000-1,800 |
| Final | $500-900 | $900-1,600 | $1,600-3,000+ |
Budget Approach
3 group stage matches
Balanced Approach
2 group + 1 knockout
Premium Approach
2 group + 1 QF
Secondary Market Reality Check
If you miss official sales or want specific matchups, secondary market prices are typically 1.5-3x higher than face value. Popular matchups (USA vs big teams, knockouts) can go 4-5x face value. Budget accordingly if waiting for matchups to be confirmed before buying.
When Tickets Go On Sale
FIFA typically releases tickets in 3-4 phases:
- • Phase 1 (Random Draw): 6-9 months before tournament
- • Phase 2 (First-Come): 3-5 months before
- • Phase 3 (Last Minute): Weeks before each match
- • Resale Platform: Continuous (officially sanctioned resales only)
Pricing Source: 2022 Qatar World Cup official pricing ($69-$603 for group stage) adjusted +18% for North American market inflation and venue operating costs. 2026 official prices TBA—expect announcement 12-15 months before tournament.
✈️ Flight Cost Estimates by Origin Region
Flight costs vary dramatically by origin, booking timing, and destination city. These ranges assume economy class, round-trip bookings 3-6 months in advance during June-July 2026 peak season.
| Origin Region | To USA | To Canada | To Mexico |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 Within USA (domestic) | $200-500 | $350-700 | $300-600 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | $350-700 | $150-400 | $450-850 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | $300-600 | $450-850 | $80-250 |
| 🇬🇧 UK & Ireland | $600-1,200 | $650-1,300 | $700-1,400 |
| 🇪🇺 Western Europe | $550-1,100 | $600-1,250 | $650-1,350 |
| 🇪🇺 Eastern Europe | $700-1,400 | $750-1,500 | $800-1,600 |
| 🇧🇷 South America | $600-1,200 | $700-1,400 | $400-900 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan & South Korea | $900-1,800 | $950-1,900 | $1,100-2,200 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia & NZ | $1,200-2,400 | $1,300-2,600 | $1,400-2,800 |
| 🌍 Middle East | $800-1,600 | $900-1,800 | $950-1,900 |
| 🌍 Africa | $900-1,800 | $1,000-2,000 | $1,100-2,200 |
Flight Booking Best Practices
- •Book 3-6 months out: Sweet spot for international flights
- •Fly Tue/Wed/Thu: Save 20-30% vs Fri-Sun
- •Open-jaw tickets: Fly into USA, out from Mexico (often cheaper than round-trip)
- •Secondary airports: Oakland vs SFO, Newark vs JFK, Midway vs O'Hare
- •Use flight alerts: Google Flights, Hopper, Scott's Cheap Flights
Flight Booking Mistakes to Avoid
- •Waiting for "deals": World Cup flights rarely drop last-minute
- •Basic Economy traps: No seat selection, no bags = nightmare for long trips
- •Tight connections: Allow 3+ hours for international connections during peak travel
- •Booking before visas: Get ESTA/eTA approved first, then book flights
- •Ignoring baggage fees: Budget carriers charge $30-70/bag each way
Data-driven tip from 2022 Qatar travelers: 42% of surveyed fans who booked flights 6+ months early saved $400-800 per ticket compared to fans who waited until 2-3 months before. Summer 2026 = peak North American travel season, so prices won't drop.
Source: KickoffAdventures survey of 120 Qatar 2022 attendees (Jan 2023)
Methodology: Price ranges based on Google Flights historical data for comparable June-July travel (2023-2025), adjusted +15-25% for World Cup demand. Assumes economy class, round-trip, 3-6 month advance booking. Actual prices vary by airline, route, and booking date.
Daily Spend Targets (Excluding Hotels)
Once flights and hotels are locked in, your daily budget is what you actually feel on the ground. Use these ranges as guardrails, then adjust for your style.
Lean Fan
Cooking, street food, public transit, few drinks
$80 – $110 / day
- Street food + groceries
- Buses, metro, shared rides
- 1–2 small activities
Balanced
Mix of restaurants, bars, and paid attractions
$120 – $160 / day
- 2 restaurant meals + 1 cheap bite
- Transit + occasional taxis
- 1 paid activity or tour
Treat‑Yourself
Sit‑down dinners, drinks, more activities
$180 – $230 / day
- Nicer restaurants most nights
- More taxis / rideshare
- Multiple paid attractions
From experience
Fans almost always underestimate snacks, drinks, and "one more round" after matches. Padding your daily budget by 15–20% is the easiest way to avoid stress while still saying yes to last‑minute plans.
Money-Saving Strategies That Actually Work
1. Pick a hub, not a new hotel every match
Basing in one city for 3–4 nights and day‑tripping to nearby matches is usually cheaper than changing hotels every game. You save on cleaning fees, extra taxis, and time lost packing and checking in.
2. Travel in a small crew
Groups of 3–4 unlock apartment rentals, car shares, and splitting stadium parking. Per‑person costs on accommodation and ground transport can drop 25–40% compared to solo travel.
3. Fly into secondary airports when possible
For some host cities, flying into a nearby major hub and taking rail or bus the last 1–2 hours is noticeably cheaper than direct flights into smaller airports with limited competition.
4. Anchor your dates to cheaper midweeks
Weekend legs (Friday–Sunday) price like mini‑high seasons. If your team schedule allows it, flying Monday–Thursday and staying over at least one weekday can shave serious money off flights and hotel nights.
5. Mix countries to balance costs
Many fans plan their most expensive matches in the USA or Canada, then finish the trip with cheaper recovery days in Mexico. Your average nightly cost drops even if a few US nights are pricey.
Local-style tip
In host cities, eating your main meal at lunch (when deals are best) and going lighter at dinner quietly cuts 15–25% from your food spend without feeling like you are "on a diet."
For more precise nightly numbers, pair these ranges with our stadium and city guides, which track real hotel pricing and typical costs by location.
👥 Solo vs Group: Real Cost Comparison
Traveling with 2-3 friends doesn't just make the trip more fun—it can save you 25-40% per person on accommodation and transportation.
Solo Traveler
Group of 4 Friends
What $1,259 in Savings Gets You
From Qatar 2022 travelers: Groups of 3-4 reported the sweet spot for cost savings vs. coordination complexity. Larger groups (5+) saved even more on accommodation but struggled with scheduling and decision-making.
- • 73% of group travelers (3-4 people) rated their trip "excellent value"
- • 41% of solo travelers said they'd "definitely travel with friends next time"
- • Groups spent their savings on: better tickets (48%), more matches (35%), better hotels (17%)
Source: KickoffAdventures survey of 120 Qatar 2022 attendees (Jan 2023)
Unpopular Opinion: Where You SHOULD Splurge
After all that talk about saving money, here's the truth: some expenses are worth it. These five splurges consistently deliver memories that outlast the credit card bill.
1. Upgrade ONE ticket to Cat 1
Instead of 3 mediocre seats, make one match special. Lower bowl, center field, surrounded by die-hards—it's the difference between "I went" and "I was THERE."
Extra cost: $200-400 • Memory value: Priceless
2. Stay walkable to the stadium (just once)
Being able to walk back after a win, skip surge pricing, and soak in the atmosphere without fighting for a rideshare? Worth the extra $80-150/night for one special match.
Extra cost: $240-450 (3 nights) • Stress reduction: Massive
3. Pay for seat selection on long-haul flights
Middle seat between two strangers on a 10-hour flight ruins your trip before it starts. $30-75 for aisle or window is the cheapest insurance policy you'll ever buy.
Extra cost: $60-150 (round-trip) • Sanity preserved: Yes
4. Get proper travel insurance
Flight canceled? Hotel burned down? Medical emergency? Real coverage (not credit card "protection") costs $75-150 but covers $3,000-6,000 in potential disasters.
Extra cost: $75-150 • Peace of mind: Total
5. Say yes to the unplanned experience
Local fan invites you to a rooftop watch party? Impromptu trip to a legendary taco stand at 2am? Fellow traveler has an extra ticket to a sold-out fan fest? Budget $200-300 of "yes money" for moments you can't plan.
Extra cost: $200-300 • Stories you'll tell forever: Guaranteed
The splurge math that actually works:
If you save $1,200 by choosing Kansas City over NYC, splitting an Airbnb, and flying mid-week, you've earned the right to upgrade one ticket, stay walkable one night, and still come out ahead. Smart saving unlocks strategic splurging.
Payment & Credit Card Strategy
Using the wrong card or payment method can quietly add 2-4% to your entire trip cost. Here's how to avoid fees and maximize rewards.
Smart Payment Moves
- ✓Get a no-FX-fee credit card: Cards like Chase Sapphire, Capital One Venture, or Amex Gold charge 0% foreign transaction fees vs. 2-3% on standard cards.
- ✓Always pay in local currency: When prompted "charge in USD or local?", always choose local. Dynamic currency conversion is a scam that adds 3-5% in hidden fees.
- ✓Notify your bank before travel: Prevents fraud blocks that leave you stranded without access to funds.
- ✓Bring 2 different cards: Visa + Mastercard from different banks. If one gets declined/lost, you're not stuck.
- ✓Withdraw cash at bank ATMs: Not airport/tourist kiosks. Pull $100-200 at a time to minimize ATM fees.
Payment Mistakes That Cost Money
- ✗Using debit cards everywhere: Fewer protections than credit cards, and you're spending real money vs. credit float.
- ✗Airport currency exchange: Worst rates in the world. You'll lose 8-12% compared to ATMs or credit cards.
- ✗Carrying huge amounts of cash: Risk of theft/loss, no fraud protection, and you miss out on credit card rewards.
- ✗Ignoring daily ATM limits: Plan ahead. Some banks limit $300-500/day withdrawals abroad.
- ✗Forgetting to check exchange rates: Know roughly what 1 USD = in CAD and MXN so you don't overpay.
How Much Cash You Actually Need
Cash needs: Low
- • Cards accepted everywhere
- • $50-100 total for tips, food trucks
- • Apple Pay/Google Pay widely used
Cash needs: Low
- • Highly card-friendly
- • $50-100 CAD for small vendors
- • Tap payment universal
Cash needs: Moderate
- • $100-200 USD equiv. in pesos
- • Street food, taxis, tips
- • Cards work at hotels/restaurants
Rewards optimization: If you're booking $3,000-6,000 in travel, consider opening a travel rewards card 3-4 months before your trip. Sign-up bonuses (50,000-80,000 points) can cover $500-800 in flights or hotels—essentially a free upgrade.
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Underestimating how expensive host cities can be
Tournament pricing is not normal pricing. Stadium cities that feel "cheap" in 2025 may be double or more in June–July 2026, especially for centrally located hotels and last‑minute bookings.
Forgetting visas and insurance in the budget
Visa fees, travel insurance, and airport transfers add up quickly. If you ignore them while planning, they show up as painful "surprises" on your credit card later.
Chasing every match instead of picking a plan
Hopping city to city for every interesting match looks fun on paper but burns money on flights and hotels. Most happy fans pick a realistic cluster of cities and stick to it.
Ignoring currency conversion and foreign fees
Using the wrong card can quietly add 2–4% in foreign transaction fees on every purchase. A no‑FX‑fee card and ATM withdrawals in sensible chunks usually beat airport exchange kiosks.
Budget Frequently Asked Questions
Final Budget Checklist Before You Book
Run through this list once before you buy flights, and once again a month before you travel. If everything is green, your wallet is ready for kickoff.
- Total trip budget range decided (min / stretch goal)
- Flight search done across multiple dates and airports
- Hotel / apartment options saved for each city
- Daily spend target chosen (lean / balanced / treat‑yourself)
- Visa and travel insurance costs added into the plan
- Hidden costs checklist reviewed ($1,000-2,000 buffer added)
- City cost comparison reviewed (budget hubs vs expensive cities)
- Emergency buffer set aside (at least 15–20% of total trip)
- No‑FX‑fee card confirmed or applied for
- Plan for getting between cities costed out (flights / train / bus)
- Stadium days budgeted separately (tickets, food, merch, transport)
- Return home costs (airport transfers, final night) included
- Ticket pricing strategy decided (Cat 1/2/3 mix)
- Group vs solo decision made (potential 32% savings with 3-4 friends)
Once this checklist looks solid, layer in your visa plan and match‑to‑match routes. Your money, documents, and movement will finally be working together.