New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has struck a deal with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to bring the 2026 World Cup within reach of ordinary New Yorkers, announcing a package that combines low‑cost tickets with logistical support and anti‑scalping safeguards.
The agreement earmarks 1,000 tickets priced at $50 each, covering five group‑stage fixtures, a round‑of‑32 match and a round‑of‑16 encounter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Tickets will be distributed by lottery, with the entry window opening at 10 a.m. ET on Monday, May 25, and a daily cap of 50,000 participants to keep the process transparent and fair.
Winners will be notified by early June and given 48 hours to purchase up to two tickets, which are non‑transferable and must be claimed in person at the bus terminal to prevent resale.
Each ticket includes a free round‑trip bus ride to the stadium, eliminating a major cost barrier for fans who might otherwise be priced out of attending the matches.
Mayor Mamdani, who previously sold 1,000 $5 tickets for a Gotham FC match that sold out within an hour, says the initiative builds on his track record of making soccer affordable and accessible to city residents.
The program also incorporates strict anti‑scalping measures, ensuring that the tickets cannot be resold and that the distribution remains open only to eligible local participants.
By coupling low‑cost access with logistical support, the city aims to address the high price tags and secondary‑market inflations that have long limited fan participation in global sporting events.
A model for inclusive sports events
If successful, the program could serve as a template for other municipalities seeking to democratize access to globally significant sporting events, potentially reshaping how major tournaments engage with local communities.