Canada Soccer is offering a new batch of FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets through a lottery exclusively for CanadaRED members, as ticket sales for the tournament's opener in Toronto remain sluggish.
Ticket Lottery for CanadaRED Members
Canadian soccer fans who have registered as CanadaRED members can enter a lottery for a limited number of tickets to matches hosted in Canada. The link to participate will be sent after 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 12. Canada Soccer announced the initiative on X, stating that winners will have the opportunity to sit with Canadian fans.
All 13 World Cup matches in Canada—six in Toronto and seven in Vancouver—are included in the draw. Membership tiers range from free to $5,000 per year, but all members are eligible to enter the lottery.
High Ticket Prices Draw Criticism
The lottery is the latest in a series of ticket releases by FIFA, which has faced backlash over steep prices. FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the costs at the Milken Institute Global Conference, arguing that 25% of group stage tickets are under US$300, comparable to U.S. college sports. “We have to apply market rates,” he said.
Despite this, thousands of tickets remain unsold for Canada's opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 at BMO Field (renamed Toronto Stadium). According to radio host Greg Brady, a pair of Category 1 tickets costs $6,373.50—$100 more than FIFA's official price. Category 2 tickets are also about $30 higher.
Unsold Seats and Market Response
Reports indicate that several full rows in both the upper and lower bowls at BMO Field are still available. As of Tuesday, the Canada opener is the only Toronto match with significant unsold inventory, likely due to its high price relative to other games. Most remaining seats for other matches are in the expensive Front Category 1 section.
This ticket release comes amid growing fan reluctance to pay FIFA's prices, with many criticizing the cost of attending the World Cup in Canada.
