Jakarta, ThedailyID — Zohran Mamdani secured a special agreement with FIFA to provide 1,000 affordable tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup exclusively for New York City residents. Through the program, selected residents can purchase tickets for US$50 through a city lottery system.
The tickets apply to five group-stage matches and two knockout games at MetLife Stadium. During the tournament, the venue will temporarily use the name New York New Jersey Stadium.
Registration for the lottery opens on May 25 and lasts for six days. Residents can enter the draw once per day, while the city limits participation to 50,000 applicants daily.
According to reports, the initiative also aims to ensure balanced representation from all five New York boroughs. Winners will receive more than one benefit through the program. Besides receiving one ticket, selected residents can also purchase an additional ticket. They will also receive free round-trip bus transportation to the stadium.
The US$50 ticket price quickly attracted public attention. Official FIFA ticket prices for matches at the same venue previously ranged between US$220 and US$415. Meanwhile, resale ticket prices for several World Cup matches reportedly surged into the thousands of dollars because of strong demand.
Through the initiative, Mamdani wants local residents to feel more connected to the World Cup. He also wants the tournament to feel accessible beyond international tourism audiences.
Reports stated that the affordable ticket allocation comes from the regional host committee rather than FIFA’s main ticket inventory. Therefore, FIFA does not directly lose revenue from the program.
However, several reports stated that FIFA remained cautious about the initiative. The organization reportedly worried the program could create expectations for similar affordable ticket policies in future tournaments. Despite the special arrangement, the US$50 ticket program will not apply to the World Cup final scheduled for July 19.
