New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has teamed up with regional politicians and the New York Red Bulls to offer fans a rare chance to attend World Cup warm‑up matches in New Jersey at a steep discount.
Discounted Warm‑up Matches
Tickets for the group‑stage clashes between Bolivia and Scotland and between Morocco and Norway will be sold for just $25, a price that is roughly one‑fifth of the typical market rate.
The tickets will be released through the Road to 26 website, which will manage the allocation to ensure local residents get first access.
Free Fan Festival
A fan festival at Sports Illustrated Stadium will run throughout the group stage and knockout rounds, providing free entertainment, food vendors and interactive experiences for supporters.
In addition, Mamdani’s office has secured 1,000 tickets priced at $50 for the World Cup final, to be distributed by ballot to residents of the state.
New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill has voiced frustration with FIFA’s pricing policies, saying the organization has ignored the financial burden placed on residents of the state.
The initiative also highlights the historic context of the matches, with Morocco reaching the semi‑finals in Qatar four years ago and Norway and Scotland set to play in their first World Cup since 1998.
Fans can purchase the discounted tickets via Ticketmaster, although the platform currently lists the lowest price for the Bolivia‑Scotland game at $50.05 and for Morocco‑Norway at $87.46, reflecting the limited availability of the special rates.
City officials say the deal is part of a broader push to bring major sporting events closer to home, and they hope the model can be replicated for future tournaments.