New York, NY – In a significant move to make the 2026 FIFA World Cup more accessible, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced a special lottery offering 1,000 tickets at just $50 each exclusively for NYC residents.
The initiative targets matches hosted at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just across the river from New York City. The discounted tickets will cover group stage games as well as Round of 32 and Round of 16 matches. These represent the lowest prices available on the primary market, where standard tickets frequently start in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Winners of the lottery will also receive free round-trip bus transportation to and from the stadium, further reducing costs for attendees.
Mayor Mamdani personally negotiated the deal with FIFA, including direct discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. The mayor had publicly criticized the tournament’s high ticket prices, arguing that sports events should not become a “luxury commodity” reserved for the wealthy.
This rare concession from FIFA has been welcomed by many as a victory for working-class fans in New York City. However, the announcement has also sparked mild regional tensions, particularly with neighboring New Jersey, which is hosting the majority of the games at MetLife Stadium.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. MetLife Stadium is slated to host several high-profile matches, making the discounted access especially valuable for local supporters.
The lottery is open only to verified New York City residents. Further details on how to enter the ballot are expected to be released by the Mayor’s Office in the coming days.
This program reflects ongoing broader discussions about ticket affordability and fan access for one of the world’s largest sporting events.
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