The upcoming 2026 World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has already sparked controversy due to high ticket prices. The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into FIFA’s ticket pricing practices, particularly for matches scheduled at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament.
Concerns Over Ticket Pricing
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced their joint investigation on Wednesday. They are seeking documents from FIFA to understand the organization’s pricing strategies and seating arrangements. The attorneys general have expressed concerns that fans may have been misled about the seating locations they were purchasing, and that FIFA’s public statements and ticket releases may have contributed to the high prices.
Initially, MetLife Stadium was divided into four zones, with lower-numbered zones offering better seating. However, after ticket sales began, FIFA reportedly created new zones and added front sections in each category. This change led to complaints from fans who found themselves excluded from their purchased seats and instead assigned to less desirable locations, such as seats far from the field or behind the goals.
Exorbitant Ticket Prices
FIFA’s ticket prices for group matches in the United States started at $60 for a limited number of tickets and went up to over $600. For the final match, face-value tickets reached as high as $10,990. On resale platforms, prices soared even higher, with some tickets for the final being listed at $2 million. In response to the public outcry, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced an initiative to offer $50 tickets to city residents.
New Jersey AG Davenport criticized FIFA’s ticketing process, stating, “Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated,” and accused FIFA of creating confusion and fake scarcity. AG James emphasized that New Yorkers deserve fair access to affordable tickets and should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will match their expectations.
FIFA has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the investigation. The organization previously stated that its pricing strategy reflects market demand for each match. Earlier this month, California Attorney General Rob Bonta also requested information from FIFA to determine if California law was violated during the ticket sales process.
The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on June 11, with the first match in New Jersey scheduled for June 13. A total of eight matches, including the final on July 19, will be held at the New Jersey venue.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
