How steep are World Cup ticket prices for locals?

World Cup ticket prices for locals reveal a stark affordability gap across host cities, a dynamic driven by OECD income data and TicketData price tracking. Guadalajara, Mexico, sits in a region with among the lowest average incomes, yet its secondary-market ticket prices are among the tournament's most expensive. In contrast, San Francisco shows relatively low prices due to weaker demand. Toronto ranks as the fourth least affordable city for locals, while Vancouver is slightly better. Official final-seat pricing reached $8,680 for Category 1 before rising to $10,990 in April as FIFA added pricier categories. Category 4 seats in New Jersey sold for $2,030 after December’s draw, with inflation-adjusted figures nearly nine times higher than in 2022. The resale site even lists some tickets above $2 million, prompting FIFA to defend dynamic pricing and market-based resales while warning that official prices do not reflect secondary-market trades.