Early bird South African football fans would have forked out around R36 000 to R40 000 to secure tickets and travel to Mexico City for Bafana Bafana’s opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Mexico.
If you’re still chasing this dream and decide on a last-minute booking, however, you’ll now fork out between R70 000 and R80 000 for the same trip.
The historic match, scheduled for 11 June at the iconic Estadio Azteca, kicks off at 21:00 South African time and marks a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener hosted by South Africa.
Visa requirements
Good news for South African passport holders: no visa is required to enter Mexico for tourist visits. The Mexican embassy confirmed that South Africans can enter visa-free for between 30 and 90 days.
However, travellers connecting through the United States or planning to visit American cities will need a B1/B2 tourist visa, which costs R3 010 (USD 185). Current wait times for USA visa appointments range from 218 to 240 days, so early planning is essential.
Flight costs
No direct flights are available between South Africa and Mexico, meaning connections through Europe or the Middle East are necessary. Based on June 2026 economy-class fares, travellers should budget approximately R24 172 for the return flight from Johannesburg to Mexico City.
Getting around Mexico City
Transport within Mexico City is remarkably affordable if travellers avoid the expensive official airport taxis.
An Uber from outside the airport zone to the city centre costs around R113 (120 Mexican pesos), compared to R587 to R940 for official airport taxis.
The best way to reach Estadio Azteca on match day is via Mexico City’s Metro and Light Rail system. The journey from the city centre involves taking Metro Line 2 to Tasqueña station, then transferring to the Light Rail (Tren Ligero) directly to the stadium entrance. The total cost is just R7.52 (eight pesos) one way.
Travel experts strongly recommend avoiding Uber after the match, as surge pricing can triple costs. The Metro and Light Rail will run extended services on match day.
Accommodation
For a three-night stay (arriving the day before the match and leaving the day after), budget-conscious travellers should expect to pay around R4 515 for an Airbnb or 2-3 star hotel with breakfast included. This works out to approximately R1 505 per night.
Popular neighbourhoods with good Metro access include Roma, Condesa and Centro Histórico. Booking early is crucial as prices will rise closer to match day due to World Cup demand.
Match tickets
The cheapest publicly available tickets were Category 4 seats, priced at R6 020 (USD 370), located in the upper areas of the stadium.
Unfortunately, the opener is now sold out through official FIFA channels, with resale tickets the only option—at significantly inflated prices. Last-minute buyers should expect to pay around R36 000 for resale tickets.
Fans are urged to only purchase through official FIFA resale platforms to avoid scams. Unofficial ticket sellers and third-party websites pose significant fraud risks.
Food and drink
Mexico City offers excellent value for meals. A beer at a local restaurant or bar costs around R51 (54 pesos), while a meal at an inexpensive local restaurant averages R188 (200 pesos).
For travellers looking to save money, street food vendors offer tacos and other authentic Mexican dishes for as little as R9 to R47 per meal. Mid-range restaurants charge R470 to R940 for a three-course meal for two people.
Budget travellers eating mainly at local restaurants and markets can keep daily food costs to R376 to R600.
The Estadio Azteca, which has hosted two previous World Cup tournaments in 1970 and 1986, will welcome fans from around the world as Mexico, Canada and the United States co-host the expanded 48-team tournament.
(These costs are purely estimates at current pricings.)
ALSO READ: Bafana Bafana to face Mexico again in World Cup opener, 16 years after historic 2010 match
