In the United States, New York City residents will be able to access heavily discounted tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a special allocation designed to make matches more affordable for local fans.
Under the initiative, 1,000 tickets will be sold at $50 each, covering five group-stage matches and two knockout games scheduled at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
During the tournament, the venue will be temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium.
“As we prepare to host the World Cup right outside of New York City, we know that ticket prices for this tournament have soared into the thousands of dollars. There are countless New Yorkers desperate to attend a World Cup match, but who simply cannot afford to go,” Mamdani announced.
“We know that there are so many New Yorkers who thought that there was no way they could afford to go to this tournament and now there is that glimpse of an opportunity.”
To access the tickets, eligible residents will enter a lottery opening May 25 and running for six days. Each participant may apply once per day, with entries capped at 50,000 daily.
Only New York City residents are eligible, and winners will be selected with representation across all five boroughs.
Those chosen will also be allowed to purchase an additional ticket.
“This is just a question of if you sign up, and then it’s just a question of crossing your fingers,” Mamdani added.
Successful applicants will also receive free bus transport to and from the stadium on match days.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, has faced criticism over rising ticket prices and transport costs, particularly within the US.
Travel fares from New York City to the stadium, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, had reportedly increased sharply, at one point reaching nearly 12 times normal levels before being reduced following public backlash.
“As someone who grew up playing soccer in this city, we know that too often there are too many cost barriers, not just to watching soccer but even playing soccer and we want to make it as easy as possible for the world’s game to be enjoyed by everyone across the five boroughs,” Mamdani added at Harlem Tavern in Little Senegal.
He was joined at the announcement by Timothy Weah, who emphasized the importance of inspiring young athletes.
“I think this opportunity is really healthy for the community and for New York in its whole. I think as athletes it’s important to have a voice because we are the pillars of this community, we’re the leaders of the next generation.
“As a kid, it was always a dream to be up here and to be in stadiums playing and if I can help the next kid get to that stage, I think it’s a wonderful feeling,” the New York-born winger said.
“My job is to bring joy and to put smiles on faces, so I’m going to do exactly that while standing by his (Mamdani’s) side and making sure that we can make it easier on anyone.”
Matches at the stadium include Brazil vs Morocco, France vs Senegal, and Panama vs England, along with fixtures in the round-of-32 and round-of-16.
The venue is also set to host the World Cup final, although the discounted tickets will not apply to that match.
