The US team’s record-setting victory over Paraguay in its opening match of the FIFA World Cup is stoking fan enthusiasm across the country and sending ticket prices for its next two games soaring.
The cheapest ticket to get into the June 19 football match in Seattle between the US and Australia has jumped 68% in the past three days to $2,314, according to prices from resale platforms compiled by aggregator site Ticket Data. A month ago, the same ticket was $906.
The US team’s last game of the group stage is slated for June 25 against Turkey in Los Angeles. Prices to get into that game have risen 105% over the last few days to $2,150, according to Ticket Data.
By comparison, prices for other in-demand matches such as Mexico-South Korea and Colombia-Portugal have jumped no more than 15% in the same period. With Scotland defeating Haiti over the weekend and Brazil-Morocco ending in a tie, Brazil-Scotland seats have climbed about 43%.
The US surprised even its own supporters by delivering one of the most emphatic wins in the opening week with a 4-1 victory on June 12 in front of more than 70,000 fans in Los Angeles. The four goals were the most the US men have ever scored in a World Cup game. Two days later, the Australian national team upset Turkey 2-0 in its opening match, raising the stakes for this Friday’s contest.
The US team, ranked 15th globally by FIFA, is led by Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, who, until now, has had mixed results running the squad since taking over in 2024. In the game against Paraguay, star Christian Pulisic — nicknamed Captain America — set up two goals with a dominant first-half display. Striker Folarin Balogun scored twice, and Giovanni Reyna sealed the convincing victory with a goal during stoppage time.
Lifelong US fan Matthew Holland, a 41-year-old Denver resident, was too busy celebrating the team’s win to think about what the victory might mean for ticket prices. He had booked a flight to Seattle weeks ago and was banking on being able to buy tickets to the US-Australia match closer to game day, expecting prices to go down.
“I was focused on the game, and honestly, I don’t know how I didn’t anticipate this, but it wasn’t until the next day that I even thought about tickets,” he said. “I’m kicking myself for that.”
Now, he’s hoping to meet fellow fans once he lands who might be willing to help him find a ticket for $1,000 or less.
“It would be selfish of me to not be excited about this team if they go on a run just because I didn’t get to a match,” Holland said. “I’m still going to be excited no matter what.”
The World Cup is back in the US for the first time since 1994 in its biggest version yet, encompassing 48 teams and 104 matches that are also being played in neighboring Canada and Mexico. While the high prices for tickets have been a major talking point heading into the tournament, stadiums have largely been full, and celebrity appearances from the likes of Tom Cruise, David Beckham and Katy Perry at the US’s first game have helped drive buzz online.
Australia and the US team will now face off on Friday at 12 p.m. local time in Seattle at Lumen Field.