Fans travelling from the Emirates say costs can vary widely, ranging from around Dh12,000 to well over Dh100,000, depending on factors such as match tickets, accommodation and the chosen destination.
For football fans dreaming of watching the FIFA World Cup live, costs can vary significantly. While some UAE residents manage to plan trips for around Dh12,000, others attending premium matches such as the final spend six-figure sums on tickets, flights, and accommodation.
As the tournament kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, fans told Khaleej Times that securing match tickets is often just the first step. Expenses such as flights, hotels, domestic travel, and visa arrangements can quickly drive up the overall cost.
A ticket to the FIFA World Cup final can exceed Dh66,000, while premium hospitality packages may reach as high as Dh165,000, according to UAE residents travelling to North America for football’s biggest tournament.
Dubai resident Atul Hegde, who is set to attend the final in New York on July 19, said that securing a ticket is only one part of the overall cost.
“The final’s hospitality tickets are priced at about $17,000 to $18,000 per ticket, and they keep going up,” he said.
According to Hegde, premium hospitality packages for the final can range between $40,000 and $45,000 (Dh147,000 to Dh165,000).
Accommodation has emerged as another significant expense.
“Hotels in New York, which once cost about $600 to $800 a night, are now priced anywhere between $4,000 and $5,000 per night,” he said.
Even standard four- or five-star hotels during the final week can cost around $1,500 per night, he added.
While Hegde noted that return business-class flights from Dubai to New York remain relatively stable at about $8,500 to $9,000, rising costs for accommodation and match tickets have pushed the overall budget sharply higher.
His experience reflects what many UAE-based fans are discovering: attending the FIFA World Cup 2026 can cost anywhere from around Dh12,000 for carefully planned trips to well over Dh100,000 for premium experiences.
The most expensive World Cup yet?
For veteran football fan Saibal Basu, who has attended previous editions of the tournament, this year’s event stands out for its unprecedented costs.
“This World Cup in the US is the most expensive that has ever happened,” he said.
Basu has secured tickets for three matches, including two Round of 32 games and a quarter-final in Kansas.
Unlike the Qatar World Cup, where matches were concentrated in a single city, the 2026 edition spans multiple cities across different countries, significantly increasing travel complexity.
“When a World Cup is in a place like Qatar, it is much easier to plan because everything is in one city. But in a country as large as the US, planning becomes much more difficult,” he said.
Although his international flights from the UAE were reasonably priced, domestic travel within the United States has added considerably to the total cost.
“The flights from San Jose to Los Angeles and then to Kansas have become very expensive. Even accommodation in Kansas is quite costly,” he said.
Basu also added that ticket availability remains a challenge, with many fans depending on FIFA’s resale platform to secure additional seats.
Budget-conscious fans
Not every World Cup journey comes with a six-figure price tag.
Dubai resident Dr Niyas Khalid expects his trip to Canada to cost at least Dh12,000, making it one of the more affordable plans among the fans interviewed.
“I have secured a long-term Canadian visa and already have a US visa. But flights are quite expensive, and even connecting routes are costly,” he said.
For him, airfare is the biggest expense, followed by match tickets.
“Travel has become much more expensive. Connection flights are complicated and unpredictable. Airline fares are the main cost driver, and match tickets are difficult to secure,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Elhag Ali Mohamed, who is travelling to Mexico to attend two Round of 32 matches, said his flights alone cost around Dh8,600.
His first match ticket cost Dh2,600, while accommodation in Mexico is expected to average about Dh300 per night.
He chose Mexico partly because it offers a more affordable alternative compared to the US in terms of both entry requirements and overall costs.
“For me, Mexico is the best option compared to Canada and the United States in terms of entry requirements and overall costs,” he said.
Worth every dirham
Despite the expenses, fans say the World Cup experience is irreplaceable.
Dr Yassin Ibrahim, who is travelling with his children and grandchildren to attend the opening ceremony and Egypt’s matches, said the atmosphere alone justifies the cost.
“The atmosphere of watching the opening ceremony and matches in the stadium is completely different from watching on TV,” he said.
“The mix of nationalities, sportsmanship, traditional clothing, and songs creates a truly unique experience.”
For many UAE-based supporters, attending the World Cup requires months of planning and significant financial commitment. Yet whether they spend Dh12,000 or over Dh100,000, they agree on one thing: being there is worth it.
