Making the 2026 World Cup Accessible: $50 Tickets for NYC Residents
Negotiating Affordable World Cup Tickets
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani successfully negotiated with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to secure 1,000 World Cup tickets priced at just $50 for local residents. With ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup soaring into the thousands, this initiative offers a rare opportunity for working-class fans to attend matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. By pressing FIFA to allocate low-cost tickets, Mayor Mamdani has ensured that New Yorkers won’t be priced out of the tournament.
Ticket Distribution and Pricing Details
Match Allocations and Pricing
The 1,000 discounted World Cup tickets are divided across:
• Five group stage fixtures
• One Round of 32 match
• One Round of 16 match
Each ticket costs $50—the lowest face-value tickets available for any 2026 World Cup match in the United States.
Commuter Benefits
To further support accessibility, ticket holders receive free round-trip bus transportation to and from MetLife Stadium. Buses depart from a central terminal in New York City, making the journey straightforward and cost-free.
Lottery Process for Ticket Allocation
Access to the $50 World Cup tickets is determined through a lottery system:
• Entry Period: Opens at 10 a.m. ET on Monday, May 25, and remains open for six consecutive days.
• Daily Cap: Each day allows up to 50,000 entries, for a total of 300,000 possible submissions.
• Verification: Applicants must prove New York City residency with state IDs, pay stubs, rental or mortgage agreements, or utility bills.
• Winner Notification: Selected entrants will be notified by June 3 and have 48 hours to purchase up to two tickets.
This streamlined lottery ensures fair access for a broad cross-section of the city’s residents.
Ensuring Fair Access and Preventing Scalping
To prevent resale and scalping, all discounted tickets are non-transferable and must be collected in person at the bus terminal. Winners present identification at pickup, reinforcing security and keeping resale off secondary markets. By coupling low-cost tickets with strict anti-scalping measures, the city safeguards affordability for true fans.
Mayor Mamdani’s Broader Affordability Efforts
This World Cup ticket initiative builds on Mayor Mamdani’s prior steps to make soccer more accessible in New York City. Earlier this month, he backed a Gotham FC promotion that sold 1,000 professional women’s soccer tickets for just $5, selling out in under an hour. He also opted to replace paid fan fests with free, borough-wide events, countering dynamic pricing models that drive up costs for casual supporters.
With affordable World Cup tickets, free bus travel, and robust anti-scalping rules, Mayor Mamdani’s plan offers a template for inclusive sporting events. As the international spotlight turns to the 2026 World Cup, New York City stands out for ensuring working-class residents can cheer on global soccer stars without breaking the bank.