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CAT 3 vs. CAT 1: Getting The Best Bang For Your Buck

Ray — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:16:19 GMT

CAT 3 vs. CAT 1: Getting The Best Bang For Your Buck

Every tournament ticket price you've seen this year has been a CAT1 number. The premium seats. The lower bowl, midfield, close-to-the-pitch tickets that drive the big headlines.

But most fans don't care about sitting in Row 12. They want to be in the building. They want the atmosphere, the crowd, the ninety minutes of live tournament football. And for that, there's a completely different price tier that almost nobody is talking about.

We track get-in prices — the cheapest available seat for every match — across multiple secondary market platforms. And the numbers paint a very different picture than the CAT1 headlines suggest.

24 matches are currently priced under $500 at the get-in level. Six are under $300. The cheapest is $145.

Here's the full breakdown.

Under $300: The Floor

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia — Houston, $145

The absolute cheapest ticket to any 2026 tournament match. NRG Stadium, 72,000 seats, full tournament production — for the price of a decent dinner for two. Even the CAT1 price for this match ($287) is a bargain, but at $145 you're paying less than a regular-season MLS ticket in most cities.

Jordan vs Algeria — San Francisco, $218

Levi's Stadium for $218. San Francisco set high ticket prices originally, and the market has overcorrected hard at the get-in level. This is premium Silicon Valley real estate for the price of a Costco run.

Austria vs Jordan — San Francisco, $238

Another Levi's Stadium match for under $240. Two San Francisco group matches under $240 — if you live in the Bay Area, you can attend both for less than $460 combined.

Curaçao vs Ivory Coast — Philadelphia, $268

African champions at Lincoln Financial Field for $268. Ivory Coast won AFCON 2024 and have Premier League talent across the squad. This is genuinely good football at a throwaway price.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan — Atlanta, $279

Mercedes-Benz Stadium — one of the best venues in the country — for $279. Atlanta keeps showing up as a value city, and at get-in pricing the discounts are even steeper than CAT1.

Morocco vs Haiti — Atlanta, $311

Here's the thing about get-in pricing: the CAT1 price for this match is $515. At get-in, it's $311. That's $204 less — and you're still watching AFCON-caliber Morocco in a world-class dome. That gap is the whole point of this post.

$300 - $400: Still Serious Value

Iran vs New Zealand — LA, $312

SoFi Stadium — the $5 billion palace — for $312. The CAT1 price is $405. This match is underpriced at every level, and at get-in you're saving nearly $100 compared to premium seats.

Egypt vs Iran — Seattle, $324

Mo Salah at Lumen Field for $324. The CAT1 for this match is $517 — so at get-in pricing, you're saving nearly $200 and still seeing one of the biggest names in world football.

Uruguay vs Cape Verde — Miami, $352

Here's a surprise: at CAT1 ($530), this is one of Miami's pricier group stage matches. But at the get-in level, it's $352. Darwin Nunez and Federico Valverde at Hard Rock Stadium, if you're willing to sit upper deck.

Algeria vs Austria — Kansas City, $355

Arrowhead Stadium for $355. The CAT1 for this match is $535. The get-in price tells a completely different story for budget fans.

Czechia vs South Africa — Atlanta, $373

Atlanta's third entry on this list. At CAT1 ($512) it's a different tier entirely. At get-in, it's $373. Mercedes-Benz Stadium's upper bowl seats still have great sightlines thanks to the retractable roof design.

Turkey vs Paraguay — San Francisco, $373

San Francisco's third appearance under $400 at get-in pricing. At CAT1 ($598) this match runs nearly $600. At get-in, it's $373. That's a $225 gap.

Belgium vs Iran — LA, $383

Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Belgium's golden generation at SoFi Stadium for $383. This might be the best star-power-per-dollar in the entire tournament at get-in pricing. The CAT1 runs $546.

Germany vs Curaçao — Houston, $395

Germany — a perennial contender — at NRG Stadium for under $400. The CAT1 is $618. At get-in, you're seeing a top-10 national team for $223 less than premium seats.

$400 - $500: The Wider Net

Paraguay vs Australia — San Francisco, $405

Levi's Stadium again. San Francisco now has four matches under $410 at get-in pricing. If you're building a multi-match Bay Area trip, the math is absurd.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — Miami, $417

The cheapest way into Hard Rock Stadium. Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history against Argentina in 2022. At $417 for get-in, this is Miami tournament football without the Miami premium.

Norway vs Senegal — NYC, $448

Erling Haaland vs Sadio Mane in New York for $448. The CAT1 price is $791. At get-in, you're saving $343 and still watching two of the most marketable players on the planet. Nobody needs to know what section you were in.

Netherlands vs Sweden — Houston, $462

The Oranje at NRG Stadium for $462. This is the cheapest way to see the Netherlands, who run $799 at CAT1 in Houston. At get-in, you save over $300.

Belgium vs Egypt — Seattle, $469

De Bruyne and Salah on the same pitch for $469. Two Premier League icons. The CAT1 is $656. At get-in, you're getting star power that would cost nearly $200 more in premium seats.

The Get-In vs CAT1 Gap

This is the key insight most price coverage misses. Here are some of the biggest savings:

Match	Get-In	CAT1	You Save
Norway vs Senegal (NYC)	$448	$791	$343
Netherlands vs Sweden (Houston)	$462	$799	$337
Turkey vs Paraguay (SF)	$373	$598	$225
Jordan vs Algeria (SF)	$218	$437	$219
Morocco vs Haiti (Atlanta)	$311	$515	$204
Egypt vs Iran (Seattle)	$324	$517	$193
Belgium vs Egypt (Seattle)	$469	$656	$187
Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Miami)	$352	$530	$178

If your budget matters more than your row number, you're shopping in a completely different market.

The Get-In Playbook

If you just want to be in the stadium, here's what the data says:

Cheapest single ticket: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia in Houston ($145). Tournament football for less than a decent pair of sneakers.

Best value city: San Francisco. Four matches under $410 at get-in pricing. Bay Area fans can build a two- or three-match trip for what one CAT1 ticket costs elsewhere.

Best star power on a budget: Belgium vs Iran in LA ($383). De Bruyne and Belgium's best squad in a decade at SoFi Stadium.

Best value you'd actually brag about: Norway vs Senegal in NYC ($448). Haaland vs Mane for under $450. The CAT1 is $791. You save $343.

Best two-match trip: Both San Francisco Group F matches ($218 + $238 = $456). Jordan vs Algeria and Austria vs Jordan for a combined $456. Two tournament matches, same city.

Track Get-In Prices

We track get-in, CAT2, and CAT1 prices for all 80 US-hosted matches, updated weekly. Set up alerts and we'll let you know when any match drops to a price you're willing to pay.

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See live pricing for every match at TicketIntelligence.net.

Get-in prices reflect the cheapest available ticket on the secondary market as of March 2026. Includes all seating categories across StubHub, SeatGeek, and other major platforms. All prices are for individual tickets.

Data source: TicketIntelligence secondary market tracker, updated weekly.

Target keywords: cheap 2026 tournament tickets, cheapest way to attend 2026 tournament, get-in price tournament tickets, budget tournament tickets 2026

Blog Post 2 Miami Guide

Ray — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:12:33 GMT

2026 Tournament in Miami: 7 Matches from $530 to $2,888

Hard Rock Stadium is one of the marquee venues for the 2026 tournament. From group stage through the quarterfinals and third-place match, Miami hosts 7 confirmed match slots spanning June 15 to July 18.

We track secondary market prices for every match, and Miami is no longer the split-personality venue it was a few months ago. Earlier this year, two group stage matches were trading below face value. That's over. Every Miami match is now above face — but the spread is still enormous, and the value plays have shifted.

Here's what every match costs right now.

Group Stage: June 15 - June 27

Uruguay vs Cape Verde — June 21, $530 (19% above face)

The cheapest ticket in Miami. A few months ago this was trading below face value at $330. It's risen 61% since then, but at $530 against a $445 face it's still the most affordable way into Hard Rock Stadium this summer. Uruguay brings Nunez and Valverde — legitimate talent at Miami's floor price.

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — June 15, $569 (28% above face)

This was also a below-face bargain earlier this year at $330. Not anymore. At $569 it's the second-cheapest Miami match but now carries a 28% premium over the $445 face value. Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history against Argentina in 2022. For Miami, this is still relatively accessible.

Scotland vs Brazil — June 24, $1,932 (334% above face)

This is where the Miami premium kicks in. Brazil in South Florida against an exciting Scotland squad. The Brazilian diaspora in Florida is massive, and at $1,932 this is the most expensive group stage match in Miami — up from $1,500 a few months ago. Still, it's Brazil at a major tournament — demand is real and rising.

Colombia vs Portugal — June 27, $2,888 (266% above face)

The priciest group stage match in Miami and one of the most expensive in the entire tournament. Colombia's massive South Florida fan base plus Cristiano Ronaldo's likely final major tournament creates a pricing perfect storm. At $2,888 against a $790 face value, this is a statement match that has climbed from $2,600 since our last update.

Knockout Round: July 3 - July 18

Round of 32 — July 3, $2,122 (377% above face)

Miami's R32 match is bracket position 1J vs 2H. The exact teams depend on group results, but possible matchups include Argentina, Spain, or Uruguay — all teams with enormous Florida followings. At over $2,100, the market is pricing in a strong likelihood of a marquee team landing in this slot.

Quarterfinal — July 11, $2,717 (81% above face)

The most expensive match in Miami. A quarterfinal at Hard Rock Stadium for $2,717 against a $1,500 face value. Interestingly, this is one of the few Miami matches that has dipped slightly — down from $2,750 a few months ago. Knockout round pricing reflects the uncertainty premium — nobody knows who's playing, but whoever makes it to a QF in Miami will draw a crowd.

Third-Place Match — July 18, $1,301 (8% above face)

The consolation final — and the biggest price drop in Miami. Down from $1,550 to $1,301, this is now just 8% above the $1,200 face value. Two semifinal losers in a stadium that seats 65,000. If you want knockout round football at the closest thing to face value in Miami, this is your best bet.

The Miami Value Map

Here's how all 7 matches stack up:

Match	Round	Date	Price	vs Face
Uruguay vs Cape Verde	Group	Jun 21	$530	+19%
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay	Group	Jun 15	$569	+28%
Scotland vs Brazil	Group	Jun 24	$1,932	+334%
Colombia vs Portugal	Group	Jun 27	$2,888	+266%
TBD Round of 32	R32	Jul 3	$2,122	+377%
TBD Quarterfinal	QF	Jul 11	$2,717	+81%
TBD Third Place	3P	Jul 18	$1,301	+8%

Total to attend all 7: $12,059. For context, a single Final ticket in New York costs $8,715.

Why Miami Prices Vary So Much

The $530-to-$2,888 spread comes down to three factors:

1. Diaspora demand. Colombia and Brazil have massive South Florida communities. Uruguay and Saudi Arabia do not. The same stadium, same city, same tournament — but the team matchup swings pricing by over 5x.

2. Star power. Ronaldo, Neymar (if selected), James Rodriguez, Luis Suarez — these names move ticket markets. The Colombia-Portugal and Scotland-Brazil matchups are loaded with global stars.

3. Round premiums. Group stage tickets start at $530; the quarterfinal is $2,717. Each round adds a scarcity premium as the tournament field narrows from 48 teams to 8.

The Play for Budget Fans

If you want tournament football in Miami without the premium price tag, the two Uruguay group matches at $530 and $569 are the clear targets. Neither is below face anymore — that window closed — but they're still the most affordable way into Hard Rock Stadium this summer.

The other value play is the Third-Place match at $1,301. It's dropped 16% since our last update and sits just 8% over face. For knockout round football, that's as close to face value as Miami gets.

If you want to see a specific team, the Scotland-Brazil match at $1,932 is the "value" premium option — expensive, but a fraction of what comparable Brazil matches cost in other cities.

Track Miami Prices

We update pricing weekly for all Miami matches and every other 2026 tournament venue. Set up free alerts and we'll notify you when prices move.

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See live pricing for every match at TicketIntelligence.net.

Prices reflect CAT 1 secondary market data as of March 2026. Face values are the original published prices. All prices are for individual tickets.

Data source: TicketIntelligence secondary market tracker, updated weekly.

Target keywords: 2026 tournament miami tickets, hard rock stadium 2026 tournament, miami matches 2026

$287 Tournament Ticket: 14 Cheapest 2026 Tournament Matches Right Now

Ray — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:10:47 GMT

9 2026 Tournament Matches You Can Still Get Below Face Value

The narrative around 2026 tournament ticket prices is dominated by eye-popping numbers. Mexico's opening match trading at $5,900. The Final approaching $9,000. Argentina games north of $1,500.

But that's not the full picture.

We track secondary market prices for all 80 matches being played on US soil, and the data tells a different story for budget-conscious fans: 9 matches are currently priced below what organizers originally charged.

That number has shrunk. Earlier this year, 14 matches sat below face value. As June gets closer, demand is catching up and prices are rising across the board. But if you know where to look, deals still exist.

Here are the ones that are left.

The Best Value Matches Right Now

Under $450: The Steals

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia — Houston, $287 (30% below face) The single cheapest 2026 tournament ticket on the secondary market. NRG Stadium holds 72,000 fans, and with neither team commanding a massive US diaspora, supply is outpacing demand. This is a tournament match for less than a regular-season NFL ticket.

Curaçao vs Ivory Coast — Philadelphia, $378 (15% below face) Lincoln Financial Field hosts this Group G matchup. Ivory Coast's AFCON talent makes this interesting football, but Philly's market hasn't priced it in. A genuine value play.

Iran vs New Zealand — LA, $405 (35% below face) SoFi Stadium's most affordable match and a steep discount off the $620 face value. If you want into what's arguably the most impressive stadium in the tournament, this is the cheapest way in.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan — Atlanta, $410 (8% below face) Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts another group stage match under face. A modest discount, but still money in your pocket compared to what organizers originally charged.

Jordan vs Algeria — San Francisco, $437 (30% below face) Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara hosts this Group F match at a steep discount. San Francisco face values were set high ($620), and the market has corrected hard. This is one of four San Francisco matches still below face.

Under $620: The San Francisco Discount

Austria vs Jordan — San Francisco, $490 (21% below face) Another Levi's Stadium match well below the $620 face value. San Francisco is emerging as the clear value city of the tournament — four of the nine below-face matches are here.

Paraguay vs Australia — San Francisco, $542 (13% below face) A third San Francisco entry on this list. Two teams with modest US followings in a stadium where the organizers priced aggressively. At 13% under face, the discount is real but narrowing.

Belgium vs Iran — LA, $546 (12% below face) Kevin De Bruyne and Belgium's golden generation at SoFi Stadium, still 12% below the $620 face value. This feels like a pricing gap that could close as June approaches.

Turkey vs Paraguay — San Francisco, $598 (4% below face) Just barely below face, but San Francisco's fourth appearance on this list. At $22 under the $620 face value, this one could flip above face any week now.

What's Driving These Prices Down?

Three factors are at play:

1. Diaspora math. Matches featuring teams without large US-based fan communities (Cape Verde, Curaçao, Uzbekistan, Jordan) have less organic demand in a market where most buyers are domestic.

2. Venue oversupply. Stadiums like NRG Stadium (72,000) and SoFi (70,000+) have enormous capacity. Even with high demand, the sheer number of available seats keeps secondary prices honest.

3. Aggressive face values. San Francisco's $620 face value was set higher than most other venues. The market has corrected, putting four of nine below-face matches in a single city. If you're flexible on where you go, Levi's Stadium is where the math works right now.

Will These Prices Last?

Probably not. Earlier this year, 14 matches were below face value. Now it's 9. Matches that were bargains in January — like Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay in Miami and Norway vs Senegal in Boston — have already flipped above face. The window is closing.

Historically, tournament secondary market prices rise as the event approaches — especially once the tournament starts and neutrals get caught up in the atmosphere. Matches that look unexciting on paper in April can become hot tickets in June when a team is on a run.

The 9 matches listed above are a snapshot of current pricing. Several — particularly Turkey vs Paraguay and Belgium vs Iran — could flip above face value any week now.

Track These Prices Yourself

We update pricing data weekly for all 80 US-hosted matches. Sign up for free price alerts and we'll let you know when any match crosses a threshold you set.

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See live pricing for every match at TicketIntelligence.net.

Prices reflect CAT 1 secondary market data as of March 2026. Face values are the original published prices. All prices are for individual tickets, not packages.

Data source: TicketIntelligence secondary market tracker, updated weekly.

Target keywords: 2026 tournament tickets cheap, 2026 tournament face value, best value 2026 tournament