Ronaldo fever sends World Cup ticket prices through the roof

The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup clash between Portugal and Colombia is becoming one of the hottest tickets in global sport, with resale prices soaring past those of the Super Bowl as fans rush for what could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance.

The Group K encounter, scheduled for June 27 at Hard Rock Stadium, has seen ticket prices skyrocket since FIFA confirmed the fixture during the tournament draw, Euronews writes. 

According to reports by The New York Times citing TicketData, resale tickets for the match were selling for less than $400 in December before the group-stage draw was announced. However, within an hour of confirmation that Portugal would face Colombia, the cheapest tickets surged to more than $2,000.

Current resale prices are averaging around $2,500 per ticket, according to figures cited by The Wall Street Journal. That figure is now higher than the average resale price for last season’s NFL Super Bowl, which stood at $2,109.

The Portugal-Colombia showdown is already the most expensive group-stage fixture of the tournament outside matches involving the three host nations. Only the World Cup final currently commands higher resale prices, with tickets starting at roughly $8,400.

Much of the demand is being driven by anticipation that the tournament could mark Ronaldo’s farewell on the international stage. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains one of football’s biggest global attractions, and fans are eager for a final opportunity to watch him represent Portugal at a World Cup.

Portugal will begin their campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at NRG Stadium before facing Uzbekistan at the same venue. They will then travel to Miami for the decisive clash with Colombia.

If Portugal fail to advance beyond the group stage, the match against Colombia could become Ronaldo’s final appearance in Portugal’s national colors.

Analysts also point to the competitive nature of the fixture as another factor behind the surge in demand. Both Portugal and Colombia currently rank among FIFA’s top 15 national teams, making it one of only four opening-round matches featuring two elite-ranked sides.

Florida’s large Colombian community — estimated at nearly 500,000 residents — is also expected to contribute significantly to the atmosphere and ticket demand surrounding the high-profile showdown.

By Sabina Mammadli