StubHub Highlights Strong Initial Fan Engagement for 2026 World Cup

Fans from 94 countries secure tickets within 48 hours of Friday's tournament draw; Portugal-Colombia tops most sought-after matchups

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following Friday's 2026 World Cup final draw in Washington, DC, StubHub has seen strong fan engagement on its marketplace, surpassing demand for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In a powerful demonstration of the event's global appeal, buyers across 94 countries turned to StubHub's global marketplace over the weekend following the draw to secure their place at next summer's tournament.

“Major international sporting events typically attract attention on our marketplace, and the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most in-demand tournaments we have ever experienced,” said Raj Beri, StubHub Chief Business Officer. “Fans don't want to miss being part of history—whether they're following their national team across continents or planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip with their family. Our platform exists to give everyone access to these moments, not just the insiders. Seeing buyers from nearly 100 countries mobilize just hours after the draw confirms that the world is ready to witness history on the North American stage.”

Top Matchups: Legends and Superstars Drive Demand

While the draw sets the stage for the group phases, individual narratives are driving the marketplace. The single most in-demand matchup of the weekend is Colombia vs. Portugal—fueled by the prospect of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo in what is expected to be his final World Cup and his last chance to add the one major trophy missing from his legendary career.

Coming in second is England vs. Croatia, with fans eager to see a Three Lions squad featuring Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga stars Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane.

Notably, over the weekend, group stage matches featuring specific national teams dominated top sales, with the World Cup Final ranking as the 20th most sought-after event—indicating that a significant segment of fans is prioritizing the magnitude of the occasion, securing access to the championship match regardless of which nations qualify.

Global Demand Leaders

Demand over the weekend extended far beyond the host nations. The data highlights a diverse international fanbase leveraging StubHub's global platform to follow their teams to North America.

Top 10 Teams (by demand over the weekend following the draw):

1. Portugal
2. Colombia
3. Brazil
4. England
5. Scotland
6. United States
7. Haiti
8. Ecuador
9. France
10. Morocco

Venues: East Coast Emerges as Tournament Epicenter

As fans plan their travel, East Coast venues emerged as early focal points for the tournament, claiming three of the top five spots for ticket sales over this past weekend.

Top 5 Venues (by Sales Volume over the Weekend):

1. MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
2. Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
3. Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
4. AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
5. SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)

Every ticket purchased on StubHub is backed by the FanProtect Guarantee, ensuring buyers get into the event or receive a full refund.

About StubHub

StubHub is on a mission to bring the freedom of live experiences to everyone. We power one of the world's largest and most trusted ticketing marketplaces, connecting buyers and sellers across more than 90 countries through StubHub in North America and viagogo internationally.