Getting your hands on World Cup tickets takes some planning. With over six million tickets available across 104 matches and millions of fans competing for them, understanding the process gives you the best shot at being inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium when the action kicks off. This guide covers everything you need to know about securing tickets for Atlanta’s eight World Cup matches.
Atlanta’s World Cup Schedule
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host eight matches during the 2026 World Cup, including a semifinal.
Group Stage matches take place on June 15, 18, 21, 24, and 27. The Round of 32 knockout match is scheduled for July 1, followed by a Round of 16 match on July 7. Atlanta’s showcase event, the Semifinal, happens on July 15.
The specific teams playing in Atlanta will be determined after the FIFA World Cup Draw on December 5, 2025. The U.S. Men’s National Team will play all three group stage matches on the West Coast, so their earliest possible appearance in Atlanta would be during the knockout rounds.
Where to Buy Tickets
There is only one official source for World Cup 2026 tickets: FIFA.com/tickets
This is not a suggestion. It is the only way to guarantee you are purchasing legitimate tickets. FIFA does not sell tickets through Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, or any other third-party platform during primary sales.
To purchase tickets, you need a FIFA ID. Creating one is free and takes just a few minutes. Visit FIFA.com/tickets, click the account icon, and follow the registration steps. You must be at least 18 years old to create a ticketing account and make purchases.
Once registered, you can apply for tickets during official sales windows and receive notifications about upcoming opportunities.
How the Sales Process Works
FIFA releases World Cup tickets in phases rather than all at once. Each phase works a bit differently.
Early phases use a lottery system. You apply for a chance to purchase tickets, and if selected through random drawing, you receive a designated time slot to complete your purchase. Being selected does not guarantee tickets will still be available when your slot arrives, but it gives you the opportunity.
Later phases shift to first-come, first-served sales for any remaining inventory. These windows typically happen in Spring 2026 as the tournament approaches.
Throughout the process, FIFA limits purchases to four tickets per match and 40 tickets total per household. Everyone in your household sharing the same address counts toward these limits.
What Tickets Cost
FIFA uses dynamic pricing for the 2026 World Cup, meaning ticket prices fluctuate based on demand. This works similar to airline tickets or hotel rooms.
Prices vary significantly depending on the match, the teams involved, the stage of the tournament, and where you sit in the stadium. Group stage matches cost less than knockout rounds, and the semifinal in Atlanta commands premium pricing.
Seating breaks down into four categories. Category 1 offers lower bowl seats closest to the action at the highest prices. Categories 2 and 3 sit in the upper levels, with Category 3 generally behind the goals. Category 4 represents the most affordable option but includes very limited inventory in upper corner sections.
For current pricing on specific matches, check FIFA.com/tickets directly. Published prices from months ago may no longer reflect what you will actually pay.
The Official Resale Marketplace
Plans change. If you cannot attend a match or need tickets after primary sales end, FIFA operates an official Resale Marketplace at FIFA.com/tickets.
This platform allows ticket holders to sell unwanted tickets and fans to purchase them. In the United States and Canada, sellers can set their own prices with no caps. FIFA charges fees to both buyers and sellers on each transaction.
The Resale Marketplace opened in October 2025 and remains active through the tournament. Availability varies wildly. Some matches show nothing available while others have options at various price points. Check frequently if you are hunting for specific matches.
For fans in Mexico, a separate Exchange Marketplace operates under local regulations that require face-value pricing.
Hospitality Packages
If lottery stress is not for you, hospitality packages offer guaranteed access to matches without entering any drawings.
On Location serves as FIFA’s official hospitality provider. Their packages bundle premium seating with additional perks like climate-controlled lounges, food and beverage service, expedited stadium entry, and commemorative gifts.
Packages range from single-match experiences to venue series covering every match at a specific stadium. Pricing reflects the premium nature of these offerings, but availability remains open for purchase rather than subject to random selection.
Visit FIFA.com/hospitality or OnLocationExp.com for current offerings. Hospitality packages for Atlanta matches, including the semifinal, are available now.
Avoiding Scams
World Cup ticket scams have already flooded the internet, and they will only intensify as the tournament approaches.
Here is what you need to know:
FIFA.com/tickets is the only official ticket source. Any website claiming to sell World Cup tickets through other channels is either unauthorized or fraudulent. This includes major resale platforms listing tickets before official sales began.
Tickets purchased from unauthorized sources may be invalid. FIFA reserves the right to cancel any ticket obtained outside official channels. Showing up to the stadium with a fake or cancelled ticket means you are not getting in, regardless of what you paid.
Social media offers are almost always scams. Accounts posting ticket deals, especially at prices that seem too good to be true, are targeting eager fans. Do not send money to strangers on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or anywhere else.
Legitimate resale happens only through FIFA’s official Resale Marketplace. If someone claims to have tickets and wants to sell outside that platform, walk away.
When in doubt, purchase only through FIFA.com/tickets. Protecting yourself from scams is worth more than any supposed deal.
No Tickets at the Stadium
There will be no ticket sales at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the World Cup. This applies to all 16 host venues across the tournament.
If you arrive without a ticket, you will not be able to purchase one on site. Plan ahead and secure your tickets through official channels before traveling to Atlanta.
Tickets Do Not Guarantee Entry to the Country
International visitors should note that possessing a World Cup ticket does not grant entry to the United States. Fans traveling from abroad must meet all visa and entry requirements separately.
Check the U.S. State Department website for current visa requirements based on your country of citizenship. Begin this process early, as visa appointments and processing times can take months.
Planning Your Atlanta Trip
Once you have secured tickets, the real planning begins. Atlanta offers world-class hospitality, incredible food, and easy transportation via MARTA, and you can check out our various guides below!
This guide is part of our complete World Cup 2026 Atlanta coverage.