2026 World Cup has 3.6 million fans, which is more than ever before
The 2026 World Cup has exceeded the attendance record set in 1994, with over 3.6 million fans attending the matches.
The 2026 World Cup on Thursday achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the best-attended tournament in World Cup history, surpassing the 1994 record of nearly 3.6 million spectators, according to FIFA.
The announcement was made in the latter part of Germany’s match against Ecuador in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as large screens showcased the new all-time high attendance figure of 3,605,357, eliciting loud applause from the supporters in the stadium.
With 48 matches remaining in the tournament, total attendance could potentially nearly double the 1994 record, which was established during a time when the World Cup included only 52 matches.
Stadiums during the 2026 tournament have maintained an impressive average attendance of over 99 percent capacity.
Economist Victor Matheson, a sports business expert at the College of the Holy Cross, noted that elevated ticket prices and travel restrictions enacted by President Donald Trump likely prevented many supporters who wished to attend from doing so.
Nevertheless, numerous fans were still enthusiastic about filling the seats.
