Key Points

• Bank of America cardholders can request a free custom FIFA World Cup 2026 card design starting in early 2025.
• The custom design is available for most consumer credit and debit cards at no additional cost.
• BofA is also offering exclusive cardholder experiences including VIP hospitality packages and meet-and-greets with soccer legends.

Introduction

Bank of America just announced something special for soccer fans: free custom FIFA World Cup 2026 card designs for cardholders. Starting in early 2025, you'll be able to request a commemorative card featuring the official World Cup 2026 branding at no extra cost. But here's what makes this interesting beyond just aesthetics—Bank of America is also rolling out exclusive cardholder experiences, VIP packages, and potential rewards opportunities tied to the world's biggest sporting event. If you're planning to attend matches or simply want a unique card design, here's everything you need to know about how to get one and what other perks might come with it.

What Bank of America Is Offering

The Custom Card Design

Bank of America announced this program on December 4, 2025, making them one of the first major U.S. banks to offer World Cup-themed custom cards. The design features the official FIFA World Cup 2026 branding and will be available on most consumer credit and debit cards.

Key Details:

• Available starting early 2025 (specific date TBA)
• No additional fees or charges
• Works with most BofA consumer credit and debit cards
• Request process will be available through online banking or mobile app
• Standard card replacement timeline applies (typically 7-10 business days)

Exclusive Cardholder Experiences

Beyond the card design, Bank of America is positioning itself as a key World Cup 2026 partner with several exclusive offerings:

VIP Hospitality PackagesBank of America cardholders will have access to premium hospitality experiences at select World Cup matches. While specific pricing and availability haven't been announced, these typically include:

• Premium seating in climate-controlled suites
• Pre-match hospitality with food and beverages
• Access to exclusive fan zones
• Meet-and-greet opportunities with soccer legends

Soccer Legend EventsBofA plans to host exclusive events featuring former World Cup players and soccer personalities. These events will be available to cardholders through invitation or lottery systems.

Which Bank of America Cards Qualify

The custom design program applies to most Bank of America consumer cards, which means these products should all be eligible:

Premium Travel Cards

• Bank of America Premium Rewards (2x points on travel and dining, $95 annual fee)

Cash Back Cards

• Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards (Choose your 3% category, no annual fee)
• Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards (1.5% on everything, no annual fee)
• Bank of America Travel Rewards (1.5 points per dollar, no annual fee)

Debit CardsMost BofA consumer checking account debit cards should also qualify for the custom design.

Business cards are likely excluded from this promotion, though Bank of America may announce separate business cardholder benefits closer to the tournament.

How to Request Your Custom Card

While Bank of America hasn't released the exact process yet, based on their previous custom card programs, here's what to expect:

Step 1: Wait for the LaunchBank of America said the program launches in "early 2025." Watch for announcements through:

• Your online banking dashboard
• Email notifications to cardholders
• The Bank of America mobile app
• Official Bank of America social media channels

Step 2: Submit Your RequestThe request process will likely be available through:

• Online banking portal
• Bank of America mobile app
• Possibly by calling customer service

Step 3: Receive Your New CardStandard replacement timeline applies, typically 7-10 business days. Your new card will have the same account number and credit line—only the physical design changes.

Important: Your current card remains active until you activate the new one, so there's no service interruption.

Maximizing This Opportunity

Pair With Strategic Card Choices

If you're considering getting a Bank of America card specifically for the World Cup custom design, think strategically about which product makes sense:

For World Cup TravelThe Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers the best earning rates for tournament-related expenses:

• 2 points per dollar on travel purchases (flights, hotels, rental cars)
• 2 points per dollar on dining (pre-match meals, celebrations)
• $100 annual travel credit (offsets part of the $95 annual fee)
• 25,000-point welcome bonus after $1,000 spend in 90 days

For someone planning a World Cup trip, that welcome bonus alone is worth $250-375 when redeemed for travel.

For Everyday SpendingIf you want the custom card but don't need premium travel features, the Customized Cash Rewards card is the smarter no-annual-fee option:

• Choose your own 3% cash back category each month
• 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
• No annual fee means you can keep it long-term
• $200 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend in 90 days

Preferred Rewards Bonus

Here's what most coverage won't tell you: if you have qualifying Bank of America deposit and investment accounts, your rewards get a significant boost through the Preferred Rewards program.

Preferred Rewards Tiers:

• Gold ($20,000+): 25% rewards bonus
• Platinum ($50,000+): 50% rewards bonus
• Platinum Honors ($100,000+): 75% rewards bonus

This transforms earning rates dramatically:

• Premium Rewards 2x becomes 3.5x with Platinum Honors
• Customized Cash 3% becomes 5.25% with Platinum Honors
• Unlimited Cash 1.5% becomes 2.625% with Platinum Honors

If you're already banking with BofA or considering consolidating accounts, the Preferred Rewards boost makes their cards significantly more competitive.

World Cup 2026 Payment Strategy

Using Your BofA Card for Tickets

When FIFA ticket sales open (the Visa presale already concluded in September 2025), any Visa-branded Bank of America card will work for purchases. Here's how to maximize:

Category OptimizationWorld Cup tickets may code as:

• Entertainment (most likely)
• Travel (less common but possible)
• General purchases (default)

If you have the Premium Rewards card, tickets that code as travel earn 2x points. Otherwise, you're earning the base rate.

Welcome Bonus TimingWorld Cup tickets for group stage matches typically cost $50-300, with knockout rounds running $200-2,000+. If you're planning to buy tickets, time your new card application to use the purchase toward meeting minimum spend requirements.

For example: The Premium Rewards card requires $1,000 spend in 90 days for the 25,000-point bonus. A $1,500 ticket purchase knocks out the requirement immediately while earning 3,000+ points on the transaction itself.

Planning Your World Cup Trip

If you're attending matches, your Bank of America card can help fund the entire trip:

Accommodation StrategyMost World Cup host cities will see hotel rates spike 200-400% during the tournament. Using points is often the smarter play, but you'll need the right cards to accumulate enough.

Consider pairing your BofA card with hotel-specific cards:

• World of Hyatt card for cities with Hyatt properties
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless for broader coverage
• IHG One Rewards Premier for budget-friendly options

Flight StrategyFor flights to World Cup matches, the Premium Rewards card's 2x on travel applies to airfare. But if you're booking complex multi-city itineraries, consider cards with airline transfer partners like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Citi Premier.

Bank of America points are fixed-value (typically 1 cent each for travel redemptions), while transferable points programs often deliver 1.5-3 cents per point in value through airline partners.

Other Bank Partnerships to Watch

Visa's Official Sponsorship

As FIFA's official payment technology partner, Visa has been offering exclusive benefits throughout the World Cup cycle:

• September 2025 Visa presale access (already concluded)
• Priority ticket access for future sales phases
• Potential stadium-day benefits for Visa cardholders

Any Visa-branded Bank of America card qualifies you for these perks.

Compare to Other Bank Promotions

Bank of America isn't the only financial institution jumping on World Cup marketing:

What Wells Fargo Offered (2022 World Cup)During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Wells Fargo offered bonus cash back on qualifying purchases. While they haven't announced 2026 plans yet, watch for similar promotions.

What Chase Offered (2018 World Cup)Chase ran targeted bonus point promotions for purchases at World Cup host venues and restaurants. Chase Sapphire cardholders should watch for similar 2026 campaigns.

Is the Custom Card Worth It?

Practical Considerations

Get It If:

• You're already a Bank of America cardholder
• You're a soccer fan who wants a unique card design
• You're interested in accessing the exclusive cardholder experiences
• You're planning to attend World Cup matches and want Visa benefits

Skip It If:

• You're not a BofA customer and don't want to open a new card
• You prefer maximizing rewards over card aesthetics
• You already have better-earning cards for your spending patterns

The Real Value Isn't the Design

The custom card itself is just a novelty—the real value comes from positioning yourself to access exclusive experiences and maximizing rewards on World Cup-related spending.

If you're serious about attending the tournament, having a Bank of America card might unlock VIP packages and experiences that aren't available to the general public. These could include:

• Preferred access to hospitality packages
• Invitations to exclusive cardholder events
• Priority notifications for add-on experiences

But here's the reality: We don't know exact details yet. Bank of America's announcement was intentionally vague on specifics. The smart move is to have a qualifying card in your wallet so you're positioned for opportunities as they're announced in 2025.

Alternative Cards for World Cup Spending

If You Want Maximum Travel Value

For World Cup travel planning, several cards outperform Bank of America's offerings when it comes to pure point value:

Chase Sapphire Preferred

• 5x on travel through Chase portal (including hotels near stadiums)
• 3x on dining (all those celebratory meals)
• Points transfer to United, Southwest, and others
• 60,000-point welcome bonus worth $750+ for travel

Capital One Venture X

• 10x on hotels through Capital One portal
• 5x on flights through portal
• 2x on everything else
• $300 annual travel credit
• Airport lounge access for travel days

Citi Premier

• 3x on travel, dining, gas stations, and hotels
• Points transfer to multiple airlines
• 75,000-point welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fees for international matches

If You Want Simplicity

The Capital One Venture or Chase Freedom Unlimited offer straightforward earning without category management:

• Venture: 2x miles on everything
• Freedom Unlimited: 1.5% cash back on everything (pairs with Sapphire cards)

Both work well if you don't want to think about optimizing categories while planning your trip.

Timeline for World Cup 2026

Here's what to expect over the next 18 months:

December 2024 - March 2025

• BofA announces specific custom card request process
• FIFA releases ticket sales schedule for remaining phases
• Host cities finalize stadium-specific details

April - May 2025

• Custom card requests likely open
• Hotel award availability appears (12 months out)
• Final group stage match schedule confirmed

June - September 2025

• Peak time for booking travel
• Banks may announce additional World Cup promotions
• FIFA ticket resale platform launches

October 2025 - February 2026

• Last-chance travel bookings
• Final ticket sales phases
• BofA announces cardholder experience details

June 11 - July 19, 2026

• Tournament takes place across USA, Canada, and Mexico
• 104 matches over 39 days
• BofA cardholder experiences happen

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the custom design on my existing card?

Yes, you'll request a replacement card with the new design. Your account number and credit line stay the same—only the physical card changes.

Does the custom design cost anything?

No, Bank of America confirmed there are no additional fees or charges for the commemorative design.

When exactly can I request the card?

Bank of America said "early 2025" but hasn't provided a specific date yet. Watch your online banking dashboard and email for announcements.

Do business cards qualify?

The announcement specifically mentioned consumer credit and debit cards. Business card eligibility hasn't been confirmed but seems unlikely based on the wording.

Will this affect my credit score?

No, requesting a custom design is just a card replacement, not a new account. There's no credit inquiry or impact to your score.

What if I already have multiple BofA cards?

You can request the custom design on any eligible card. If you have multiple cards, you'll need to request the design separately for each one.

Are the exclusive experiences free?

Details haven't been announced, but based on similar programs, expect:

• Some free cardholder events (meet-and-greets, viewing parties)
• Paid VIP hospitality packages at preferential pricing
• Lottery or first-come access to limited experiences

Can I use my BofA card to buy resale tickets?

Yes, any BofA Visa card will work for FIFA's official resale platform when it launches. However, you won't earn bonus rewards unless the purchase codes in a bonus category.

Conclusion

Bank of America's FIFA World Cup 2026 custom card program is part novelty, part strategy. The card design itself is a nice collector's item for soccer fans, but the real opportunity lies in positioning yourself for exclusive cardholder experiences and maximizing rewards on tournament-related spending. If you're already a Bank of America customer, requesting the custom design when it becomes available in early 2025 is a no-brainer. If you're considering opening a new BofA account, think strategically about which card fits your spending patterns—the Premium Rewards card makes sense for travelers, while the Customized Cash Rewards works better for everyday spending optimization. Either way, having a qualifying card in your wallet ensures you won't miss out on any surprise opportunities as Bank of America rolls out more details throughout 2025.

This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.