Ronaldo Effect Sends Toronto World Cup Ticket Prices Soaring

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published June 29, 2026

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Ticket prices for Portugal’s World Cup Round of 32 match against Croatia in Toronto have surged on resale platforms, as fans rush for a chance to see Cristiano Ronaldo in what could be one of his final World Cup knockout appearances. The match is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Toronto Stadium at Exhibition Place.

According to Reuters, data from ticket-tracking website Ticketdata showed that the average price for the cheapest ticket on secondary resale websites crossed $3,000 late Saturday. The average lowest available ticket stood at $3,225 as of 11 p.m. ET, making it the highest-priced Round of 32 match at that point.

The spike came after Portugal finished second in Group K following a draw with Colombia in Miami, setting up a knockout match against Croatia, who finished second in Group L after defeating Ghana. The fixture now brings together Ronaldo and his former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric, adding another layer of global attention to Toronto’s World Cup schedule.

The price surge also highlights the growing tension around World Cup ticket access in Canada. Reuters reported last month that Toronto World Cup tickets sold through FIFA’s official resale platform can only be resold at face value under Ontario’s “Putting Fans First Act.” However, prices listed on wider secondary resale platforms can still reflect intense demand and may differ sharply from official ticket channels.

For Toronto, the match is more than a sports event. It brings together two major football communities, a global superstar, and a knockout-stage setting in one of Canada’s most diverse cities. But for many fans, the soaring resale prices may turn one of the tournament’s most attractive matches into one of its least accessible.

The Portugal-Croatia clash is now expected to be one of the most watched and most expensive World Cup events in Toronto, with demand driven by Ronaldo’s presence, Modric’s Croatia, and the high stakes of a win-or-go-home knockout match.