2026 FIFA World Cup in San Francisco: How to Get Tickets for the Sold-Out Matches
If you missed your chance to buy tickets for the World Cup's San Francisco matches, fret not — there are still a few ways to get in before the action kicks off at Levi's Stadium
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is heading to the Bay Area, and you've caught a real break. Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara will host six matches—five group-stage games and one Round of 32 playoff—featuring some solid international matchups. Here's the thing: San Francisco doesn't have the household-name teams like Brazil, France, or Argentina playing here. No USA matches either. That means prices are way, way lower than what you'd pay in LA or New York. The official ticket window closed, but the secondary market still has real options if you know where to look.
New listings pop up all the time, and prices can shift in your favor. You don't need to panic or overpay. Let's walk you through exactly where to find tickets and what to expect.
The San Francisco Matches
All matches take place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, about 45 minutes south of downtown San Francisco. Here's the complete schedule:
Group Stage
June 13th — Qatar vs. Switzerland (Group B)
StubHub · Ticketmaster
June 16th — Austria vs. Jordan (Group J)
StubHub · Ticketmaster
June 19th — Türkiye vs. Paraguay (Group D)
StubHub · Ticketmaster
June 22nd — Jordan vs. Algeria (Group J)
StubHub · Ticketmaster
June 25th — Paraguay vs. Australia (Group D)
StubHub · Ticketmaster
Knockout Stage
July 1st — Round of 32 (Group D Winner vs. Third Place)
StubHub · Ticketmaster
Levi's Stadium sits in Santa Clara, roughly 45 minutes south of downtown San Francisco via I-880. It's an open-air venue with no roof—June Bay Area weather is pretty reliably pleasant, usually mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, though afternoon games can feel warm in direct sun. Bring sunscreen and a hat. If you're driving, plan to arrive 90 minutes before kickoff and budget $20–$30 for parking. The VTA Light Rail stops directly at the stadium, so transit is a solid option if you're coming from San Jose or the peninsula. Caltrain runs from San Francisco to Diridon Station, where you can catch the light rail the rest of the way.
Where Can You Still Get Tickets?
StubHub is the largest resale marketplace for World Cup tickets. Browse the San Francisco World Cup city page to compare prices across all dates and sections. Their FanProtect guarantee covers you 120%—if your tickets don't arrive or are invalid, you're protected.
Ticketmaster Verified Resale is another solid option. Tickets are authenticated before transfer, which cuts down fraud risk. You can search Ticketmaster's World Cup inventory for Bay Area matches.
Fans can also look for tickets via SeatGeek, where you can use promo code SEATGEEK10 to save $10 off your first order of over $150.
FIFA Resale Marketplace is the official channel. Inventory may be limited, but it's direct and secure. Visit FIFA.com/tickets to check availability.
reddit's r/worldcup and r/SJEarthquakes communities often have fans buying and selling. Just verify the seller has a solid transaction history. No official buyer protection here, so be careful.
What Are Tickets Going For?
San Francisco's secondary market pricing is genuinely affordable compared to other 2026 World Cup host cities. You're not competing with Brazil, France, or Germany fans here, which is why prices stay reasonable. Here's what to expect:
Upper Level (Group Stage): $150–$400 per ticket. Great views from the top deck.
Mid-Level (Group Stage): $300–$700 per ticket. Better sightlines, closer to the action.
Lower Bowl (Group Stage): $600–$1,500 per ticket. Premium seats down low.
Round of 32 (All Levels): $300–$1,200 per ticket. Knockout matches carry a premium, but prices are still reasonable by World Cup standards.
Service fees on StubHub and Ticketmaster typically add 20–40% to listed prices, so a $300 ticket might cost $360–$420 total. Prices tend to be highest right after tickets drop, dip 2–4 weeks before the match, then spike again in the final week. If you're flexible on dates, buying in advance pays off.
Should You Consider a Nearby City Instead?
If San Francisco doesn't work out, you have options. Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium) is 380 miles south—a 5.5-hour drive or 1-hour flight. SoFi hosts 8 matches including a quarterfinal, but prices are steep because of the heavyweight teams on the schedule. Seattle (Lumen Field) is 810 miles north, which is a hard day trip for most Bay Area folks, but if you want to see the USA play Australia on June 19th, it's worth considering. Vancouver (BC Place) is 960 miles north and requires a flight, but it's hosting seven matches including Canada's home opener. None of these are exactly close, so the Bay Area advantage is real.
Strategic Tips for Buying
- Check StubHub and Ticketmaster Verified Resale multiple times each day. Inventory changes constantly. New listings appear at unpredictable times, and prices shift based on real-time demand. Set an alert on StubHub for specific Levi's Stadium events so you don't miss drops.
- Compare prices across all six San Francisco match dates before committing. The Qatar vs. Switzerland opener on June 13th tends to draw more interest than later group-stage games. Matches on June 16th, 22nd, and 25th might have way better prices. You're getting the same World Cup experience; the matchup shouldn't break your budget.
- Set up price alerts on StubHub for specific matches. StubHub lets you set thresholds. Once prices hit your target, you get notified. This takes the guesswork out of timing.
- Move quickly when you find a price that fits your budget. Popular sections and good prices disappear in hours, sometimes minutes. If you see something you want at a number you can live with, buy it. Hesitation costs you here.
- Stick to platforms with formal buyer-guarantee programs. StubHub's FanProtect, Ticketmaster Verified Resale, FIFA Resale, and SeatGeek all protect you. Don't buy from random people on social media, text, or email. Don't send money via Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle. If a deal seems too good to be true—like a lower-bowl seat for $80—it almost certainly is. Scammers double-sell tickets or send fakes. Legitimate resale happens on platforms with verification and secure delivery systems.
About the Tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first expanded tournament with 48 teams (up from 32) competing in 104 matches instead of 64. It runs June 11th through July 19th across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This is a historic moment—the first World Cup in North America with three host nations. San Francisco's six matches give you solid international soccer without the marquee-match pricing you'd face elsewhere. Whether it's your first World Cup or your fifth, this is a real value play.
