Ticket Tuesday Recap: BoA Wins, Chase Struggles, and How to Prep for Capital One
Today was supposed to be "Ticket Tuesday"—a golden opportunity for holders of Wells Fargo, Bank of America (BOA), and Chase credit cards to bypass the lottery and secure FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.
There were no random draws today. It was a straight race. And like any race, there were winners, losers, and a whole lot of chaos on the track.
If you spent your morning staring at a spinning circle or refreshing a 403 error page, you weren't alone. Here is a breakdown of what happened today, why the experiences varied so wildly, and how you can prepare for the final credit card opportunity this Thursday.
The Tale of Two Sales: Direct Links vs. Public Portals
The most fascinating takeaway from today was how differently the banks handled access. It made all the difference in the user experience.
1. Bank of America: The Smooth Operator
BOA cardholders arguably had the best experience today. Instead of forcing users to fight through a public landing page, BOA sent exclusive, personalized purchase links directly to eligible users via email.
- The Result: Because the traffic was segmented and the links were direct, many BOA users reported a seamless experience. They clicked, they selected, they bought. It was efficient and rewarding.
2. Chase: The Battleground
Chase took a different approach. The sale went live at 12:00 PM ET (9:00 AM PT) on a fixed, public-facing landing page. Users had to verify their cards to enter the portal.
- The Result: Absolute bedlam. Because the entry point was a known, public URL, it created a massive bottleneck that the system struggled to handle.
The Technical Nightmare: Anatomy of a Crash
While Wells Fargo and BOA users quietly celebrated, the Chase sale became a trending topic for all the wrong reasons. Here are the four main issues that plagued potential buyers:
The "Queue Loop" of Doom
The most common complaint was the queue system. Thousands of fans reported getting stuck in a purgatory loop:
- Enter the Queue.
- Wait 15 minutes as the progress bar moves.
- Get kicked out.
- Re-enter the Queue and start over.
For many, this cycle repeated for hours until the inventory was gone.
The 403 Forbidden Error
Some users couldn't even get to the queue. Upon clicking the "Buy Tickets" button, they were immediately met with a 403 Forbidden error. This usually indicates server overload or a firewall aggressively blocking traffic it suspects to be non-human (even if it's just an eager fan refreshing the page).
The "Cart" Heartbreak
Perhaps the most painful error occurred after fans got in. Users reported seeing tickets, adding them to their cart, and then... nothing.
- Glitch A: The tickets wouldn't stick to the cart.
- Glitch B: Tickets were in the cart, but the payment processing failed repeatedly until the timer ran out.
The Bot Factor
Because Chase used a fixed webpage for entry, the sale was highly susceptible to scalpers using automated scripts (bots) and "spinners." The speed at which inventory vanished suggests that legitimate fans were competing not just against each other, but against software designed to snatch tickets in milliseconds.
Price Check: No Discounts Here
If you were hoping that these partner sales would offer a break on pricing, today was a reality check. The prices mirrored exactly what we've seen in the previous "Early Draw" phases.
Based on successful purchases today, here is what you can expect to pay (fees included):
- Semi-Final (Atlanta) - Category 2: ~$2,525
- Final (New York/New Jersey) - Category 1: ~$8,680
The dynamic pricing is in full effect. For a full breakdown of what these categories mean, review our Stadium Seat Maps & Ticket Category Guide.
Your Next Chance: The Capital One Sale (This Thursday!)
If you struck out today, there is one more major credit card event this week.
Who: Capital One Venture X cardholders. When: Thursday, January 29, at 12:00 PM ET. Where: A dedicated Capital One Entertainment portal (link: Capital One Venture X Promotion), which will likely verify your card eligibility before granting access.
Strategy for Thursday
Based on the Chase disaster, here is how you should prepare for the Capital One drop:
- Login Early: If there is a pre-queue waiting room, get in 10-15 minutes early.
- Don't Refresh (Unless You Crash): If you are in the queue, let it ride. Refreshing often resets your place in line.
- Have Your Card Ready: You will likely need your Venture X card number to even see the tickets.
- Be Flexible: Aim for Group Stage matches first. The Semis and Finals will disappear instantly.
We will continue to monitor the ticket situation closely. If you managed to snag tickets today, congratulations! If not, rest up, recharge, and get ready for Thursday.