Mayor Offers Discounted World Cup Tickets to New York Residents

New York City Mayor Announces Affordable Ticket Plan for 2026 World Cup

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a plan to make tickets to the 2026 World Cup more accessible to New York City residents. As part of this initiative, 1,000 limited tickets costing $50 will be made available to city residents through a lottery system starting May 25.

The tickets will be distributed for seven of the eight games played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with the exception of the July 19 final match, which has seen high demand and ticket prices reaching nearly $33,000. The tickets will also include free round-trip bus transportation to the stadium.

To ensure that the tickets are not resold on the secondary market, city officials have implemented measures such as non-transferable tickets and a verification process for residency. The tickets will be handed out directly to fans as they board buses on game day.

The mayor’s office has stated that the $50 tickets do not come from FIFA but rather from the joint host committee for the games. This move is seen as an effort by the city administration to make the World Cup more inclusive and accessible to all New Yorkers, regardless of income level.

A total of 15% of tickets are set aside at discounted prices, according to Mamdani’s campaign promises during his election. The initiative aims to provide working-class residents with an opportunity to attend the games without being priced out.

Source: Al Jazeera