The FIFA World Cup 2026 is less than seven months away, and a new credit card promotion from Bank of America can help you get tickets.
The bank recently announced that customers who open a new Customized or Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card will have the opportunity to buy up to two tickets to the World Cup, which the United States is hosting for the second time.
"We are bringing a unique opportunity directly to new Cash Rewards cardholders, helping them be part of this unforgettable global event," Bank of America Head of Consumer and Small Business Products & Analytics Mary Hines Droesch told The Independent by email. "This reflects our ongoing commitment to connecting clients with world-class experiences, alongside the exceptional value our Cash Rewards cards deliver to stretch their dollars further."
The offer is the only card-specific one of its kind among major credit card issuers, and the promotion comes at an opportune time for soccer fans.
FIFA faces criticism for a ticket pre-sale process that includes dynamic pricing (which rise and fall with demand), application-only phases, and draw-based disbursement, resulting in a booming resale market.
Rare opportunity amid chaotic ticket release
FIFA chose a four-phase ticket release that has drawn criticism for its exclusivity - the first three phases require an application and are awarded through a random draw - and susceptibility to scalpers (buyers who purchase tickets during a release and then resell them at considerably higher prices):
FIFA reports it has sold more than two million tickets through the first three phases. Those tickets have hit the resale market at prices far above face value, which ranged from $60 to more than $6,700, depending on the match and seat location, according to TicketNews.
Secondary prices on ticket marketplace StubHub start at around $300 for group-stage matches - you can snag a ticket for Qatar and Switzerland’s group-stage match for $306 - to more than $8,000 for a ticket to the finals.
The cutthroat resale market and draw-based ticket distribution make the Cash Rewards card’s new offer a valuable opportunity for U.S.-based soccer fans.
How the World Cup promotion works
Bank of America’s World Cup offer is exclusive to new Cash Rewards cardholders; if you already have the card, you can’t participate.
On February 10, eligible cardholders will receive an email from Bank of America that includes a link you’ll use to purchase up to two tickets. The buying window opens at noon Eastern on February 10 and closes on February 24, Bank of America noted. The tickets are available until they’re sold out or the buying window closes.
In addition to World Cup ticket access, cardholders can also choose a custom World Cup card design with the tournament's 2026 branding and an image of the FIFA World Cup Trophy, which is awarded to the World Cup winner, according to Bank of America.
The bank’s two Cash Rewards cards offer $200 bonuses if cardholders spend at least $1,000 in qualifying purchases within 90 days of opening their account, and cash back rates that go as high as 6 percent in the first year.
