Football fans heading to the 2026 World Cup in North America are facing steep parking charges, with official passes costing as much as $175 per vehicle according to listings on FIFA's website.
Substantial Parking Fees Revealed
The significant costs, first highlighted by The Athletic, present a major concern in the car-reliant United States where many tournament venues lack comprehensive public transport links. A general parking pass for the 14 July semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Dallas is priced at $175, while group-stage match parking at the same venue costs $75.
Quarter-final matches also command premium parking rates, with passes for the 11 July game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City set at $125. These figures emerge as FIFA already faces criticism for high ticket prices, with group-stage seats starting at $60 during the first sales phase using dynamic pricing.
Comparing Costs with Regular Events
While international visitors might find these prices shocking, they align with standard charges for NFL games at the same stadiums. The cheapest resale ticket for the Philadelphia Eagles versus Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium on 23 November costs $95, while parking for Kansas City Chiefs home games at Arrowhead Stadium begins at $69.
The transport situation marks a significant contrast with the previous World Cup in Qatar, where stadiums were generally easily accessible by public transport - similar to most European venues. Many 2026 host cities, including Dallas and Kansas City, present greater challenges for fans without vehicles, though shuttle services and rideshares will be available.
Limited Availability and Accessibility Concerns
As of Tuesday, only a selection of the 16 World Cup venues across Canada, Mexico and the United States had parking passes available for online purchase. Notable absences included Mexico City, hosting the tournament opener, and New York/New Jersey, the final venue.
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey does benefit from public transport connections, though the service reliability has been questioned. FIFA anticipates generating over $10 billion from the 2026 tournament, stating that revenues will be reinvested to develop football globally, but the organisation continues to face scrutiny over the escalating costs for attending fans.
