New York City residents can now enter a lottery for the chance to purchase $50 tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Why it matters: This initiative aims to make attending the World Cup more affordable for local fans, addressing concerns over soaring ticket prices.
Winners will also receive free round-trip bus transportation to MetLife Stadium, where matches will be held.
The ticket allocation is part of a broader strategy to engage local communities in the tournament.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized the need for affordable access to the event for working-class New Yorkers.
Driving the news: Mayor Mamdani announced the lottery on May 25, 2026, stating that the city secured 1,000 reduced-price tickets through negotiations with FIFA.
These tickets cover five group-stage matches and two knockout-round games, excluding the final.
Approximately 150 tickets are allocated per game, with the lottery opening online at regnyctix.com.
The lottery closes on May 30 at midnight, with winners notified on June 3.
State of play: The ticketing strategy has drawn criticism due to FIFA's pricing model, which varies based on team popularity.
Tickets for the final match are priced at an astonishing $32,970, causing backlash among fans.
FIFA also collects a 30% fee on resale transactions, compounding affordability issues.
New Jersey Transit initially announced $150 round-trip fares for match days, later reducing this to $98.
The big picture: New Jersey has invested over $307 million in hosting the tournament but was denied a similar ticket allocation.
Governor Mikie Sherrill's office requested comparable tickets but received no response from the host committee.
New Jersey officials criticized FIFA's pricing strategy, calling it unfair to local residents.
Local leaders are exploring alternative methods to provide discounted tickets for New Jersey residents.
What they're saying: Mayor Mamdani expressed the need for affordable access to the World Cup.
“We know that ticket prices for this tournament have soared into the thousands of dollars. There are countless New Yorkers who are desperate to attend the World Cup matches but who simply cannot afford to go,” Mamdani said.
Reps. Frank Pallone and Nellie Pou criticized the limited ticket availability, stating, “This publicity stunt does nothing to address the cost of tickets.”
Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry praised Mamdani's commitment to making the event accessible to New Yorkers.
By the numbers: The lottery allows NYC residents aged 15 and older to enter once per day, with a daily cap of 50,000 entries.
Winners can purchase up to two tickets each, which are non-transferable and must be collected in person on match days.
More than 1 million fans are expected to attend the World Cup, with matches scheduled from June 13 through July 19.
New Jersey has spent over $307 million on tournament-related expenses, including infrastructure upgrades.
Between the lines: Public health officials are preparing for potential crises during the World Cup.
NYC Health Commissioner Alister Martin is considering various scenarios, including infectious disease outbreaks and heat waves.
Regional planning has been extensive, involving simulations and training for healthcare providers.
“It’s not just one marathon that comes and goes,” said Robert Bristol, emphasizing the event's long-term impact.
What's next: The NYC lottery opens today at 10 a.m. and runs until midnight on May 30.
Winners will be notified on June 3 and must act quickly to secure their tickets.
Public health preparations will continue leading up to the tournament, with a focus on safety protocols.
Local officials are expected to announce additional measures to address ticketing concerns and public health readiness.