Travel agencies in the local market have launched tourist packages to attend the 2026 World Cup matches, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, from June 11 to July 19. Prices start from about AED 10,000 per person, for a match in the first rounds. At the same time, the price of packages for the final matches are as high as AED70,800, including travel ticket, hotel accommodation, match ticket, and transportation services. Agencies note that the prices offered are introductory, subject to increase based on the timing of the booking, type of hotel room, and type of match ticket.

Managers in travel and tourism agencies said that "the levels of demand from the local market are moderate so far, due to the geographical distance and the high total cost of the trip". They further explain that "the demand is mainly from a segment of fans who are passionate about the tournament and want to attend it wherever it is held."

Operators also point out that "early planning and booking are the most important factors to benefit from the best prices and ensure availability, in light of expectations of a significant increase in global demand for flights, hotels and tickets, especially for decisive matches in the final rounds."

In detail, local travel agencies have launched tourist packages to attend the World Cup matches, with prices starting from about 10 thousand dirhams per person in the first round matches, and covers travel tickets, hotel accommodation, match tickets, and transportation services. The packages offered cover major cities that host matches in the first round of the tournament, and the prices of the packages vary according to the destination, type of accommodation, and the number of participants in the room.

The Miami packages are the lowest priced, starting from about AED10,000, and include a stay for four days and three nights with International flight tickets, hotel accommodation, daily breakfast, match ticket, airport transfers, as well as a tour and a day cruise. This package allows you to attend several matches, including Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, scheduled for June 15, Brazil vs Scotland on June 24, and Colombia vs Portugal on June 27.

As for the Boston packages, they start from about AED10,500 per person and reach about AED12,000, and include a four-day and three-night stay, in addition to a tour on tourist buses. These offers include attending matches, including England vs Ghana on June 23, while prices for some matches, such as France's match against Norway on June 26, rise to more than 12,000 dirhams, depending on the type of stay.

In Dallas, prices start from AED 14,500 to attend the Netherlands vs Japan match on June 14. Agencies provide another offer to attend Argentina's match against Austria on June 22, with prices starting from about 15,000 dirhams.

In Monterrey, Mexico, the package includes a five-day and four-night stay to attend Japan's match against Tunisia scheduled for June 20, with prices starting from AED 14,500 per person, excluding domestic flights within Mexico.

The Seattle package is the most expensive of the offers, reaching about AED 17,000 per person, and includes a four-day and three-night stay to attend the Egypt vs Belgium match scheduled for June 15, 2026.

Crucial matches

The cost of the package to attend the 2026 World Cup final starts from about AED 70.8 thousand per person, and includes air tickets, three hotel nights with breakfast, special airport transfers, and a special Class I ticket to the final match scheduled for July 19.

An American tour company has offered a three-night accommodation package, which includes Class III tickets to attend the final match with a private round-trip transfer between the airport (John F. Kennedy Airport or LaGuardia Airport) at AED55,000, and the package does not include airline tickets.

The FIFA World Cup trophy at the Cinta Costera in Panama City on May 13, 2026. (AFP)

Planning and booking

Mohammed Jassim Al Rayes, CEO of Al Rais Travel Company – Al Rais Group, said: "The World Cup is an opportunity for football fans, but at the same time it poses challenges due to the hosting of the tournament in three countries and the spread of the competitions over 16 cities."

"The packages we have launched include a flight ticket, hotel accommodation, an official ticket to the match, airport transfers, and transportation between the hotel and the stadium," he explained.

"In some cases, travel companies cannot announce final prices before guaranteeing tickets, because hotel and flight prices may rise significantly as the date of the big matches approaches," he added.

He pointed out that the integrated tourist packages represent the most comfortable and safe option for fans, as they combine in one product flight tickets, hotel accommodation, a ticket for the match, and airport transfer services. Prices also include transportation between the hotel and the stadium on the day of the match, which saves the traveler the trouble of coordinating these items separately and reduces the risks associated with high prices or unavailability of services.

"We have received many inquiries from customers as part of their booking planning," he said, noting that the levels of turnout are considered moderate and may change in the next few days.

Volume of orders

The General Manager of Al Awadhi Travel Company, Amin Al Awadhi, said that the volume of packages offered by local agencies is small, due to the high costs of tickets for matches, especially important matches. He pointed out that the prices of packages for some later matches may be very high compared to the prices of the initial rounds. Designing and putting together integrated travel programs to attend the semi-final and final matches remains one of the most complex tourism products, given that the crucial element in any package is the availability of the ticket to the match itself, he said. The ticket is the main element upon which the rest of the components, such as flight, accommodation, and transportation, are aligned.

He pointed out that the official ticket prices for the World Cup vary according to the class of seats and their location inside the stadium. These are usually divided into four main categories, starting from the fourth category, the lowest-priced. The first category, which includes the best locations in the stands, and there are luxury hospitality packages provided by the organizer (FIFA).

Geographical angle

Bader Ahli, CEO of Dubai World Travel, said: "The demand in the local market for 2026 World Cup packages is already there, but it is much lower compared to what was witnessed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, due to several factors, foremost of which is the geographical dimension and the high cost of attendance packages."

"The comparison with the previous edition is not easy, because the Qatar World Cup was held in the Arabian Gulf region, and at a very short distance from the country, which allowed fans to travel easily, and at relatively limited costs. The situation is different in the 2026 edition, as the trip requires long-distance travel to North America, in addition to the need for travel visas for some, and logistical arrangements, as well as the high prices of airline tickets, hotel accommodation, and match tickets, especially if one wants to attend matches in the final rounds or benefit from official Hospitality Packages."

"The demand is mainly concentrated in a category of passionate fans who are keen to attend the World Cup wherever it is held, and who view participation as a sporting and tourism experience."

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