New York City soccer fans, here is your moment. NYC World Cup tickets priced at just $50 are now within reach — thanks to a new city-led lottery program. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday that the city has partnered with the FIFA World Cup 2026 NY/NJ Host Committee to release 1,000 affordable tickets at $50 each, available exclusively to New York City residents. Each ticket also includes free round-trip bus transportation to MetLife Stadium. Therefore, if you have been priced out of the World Cup, this is your chance. Documented
What Is the $50 World Cup Ticket Program?
World Cup tickets in the New York area have been wildly expensive. Many fans have simply given up on attending. However, the city is now fighting back against those sky-high prices.
Mayor Mamdani framed the program as an affordability issue for working New Yorkers. “As we prepare to host the World Cup, we know that tickets have soared to thousands of dollars,” he said. “We are making sure working people will not be priced out of the game they love.” Fox 5 NY
The deal resulted from months of negotiations between City Hall, FIFA, and the New York-New Jersey World Cup host committee. FIFA reportedly had reservations about creating a discounted program but ultimately approved the arrangement. The discounted seats come from the host committee’s allocation rather than FIFA’s general pool. Time Out
Meanwhile, previously FIFA had made some $60 tickets available for every game at the tournament in North America after facing backlash over exorbitant prices. Those reduced-price tickets, however, went to the national federations of the teams playing in the games. This new program is different — it targets everyday New Yorkers directly. ABC News
How Much Do Regular World Cup Tickets Cost?
The contrast is stark. Some of the cheapest Category 3 seats for MetLife matches have recently been listed between roughly $220 and $415, depending on the game. Time Out
At the top end, the cost goes dramatically higher. Some seats for the July 19 final now cost nearly $33,000. ABC News
Therefore, the $50 program represents a massive discount. Mayor Mamdani put it plainly: “To put that into perspective, that is five lattes in New York City.” ABC News
How to Enter the NYC World Cup Ticket Lottery {#how-to-enter}
The process is straightforward. However, the window is short, so act fast.
The lottery will open at regnyctix.com at 10 a.m. ET on May 25, 2026, and close at 5 p.m. ET on May 30, 2026. Upgraded Points
Here is what you need to know before entering:
- The lottery is open to city residents age 15 and older Time Out
- Winners will be selected at random and notified on June 3 Time Out
- Each winner can purchase up to two tickets Time Out
- To discourage resale, tickets will be non-transferable and distributed on the day of the match Time Out
- Ticket locations are in the upper bowl of MetLife Stadium Upgraded Points
- Free round-trip bus transportation to MetLife Stadium is included with every ticket
Which Matches Are Eligible?
The tickets cover five group-stage matches and two knockout games, with about 150 tickets available per match. Documented
The seven eligible matches are:
- Brazil vs. Morocco — June 13
- France vs. Senegal — June 16
- Norway vs. Senegal — June 22
- Ecuador vs. Germany — June 25
- Panama vs. England — June 27 Upgraded Points
Plus two additional knockout round fixtures at MetLife Stadium.
The one exception is the high-demand July 19 final, which is not part of the discounted program. Nevertheless, the lineup still features several high-profile matchups that any soccer fan would be thrilled to attend. ABC News
Why Is the City Doing This?
A Promise Made on the Campaign Trail
This program did not happen overnight. Mayor Mamdani pushed for affordable access long before taking office.
During his campaign, Mamdani called on FIFA to make it cheaper for New Yorkers to attend matches and said he made ticket access part of his platform before taking office. “Last year I said that we would change that,” he told supporters at the announcement. Fox 5 NY
The announcement reflects months of collaboration between the Mamdani administration and the NYNJ Host Committee. Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee, said Mayor Mamdani had been “unwavering in his commitment to making sure New Yorkers could be part of this historic moment.” New York City
Backlash Over FIFA Pricing Fueled the Push
The announcement comes amid growing backlash over FIFA’s dynamic pricing model for the 2026 World Cup. Ticket prices for matches in the New York/New Jersey area run into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Transportation plans also came under fire after train fares to MetLife Stadium were initially announced at $150 round trip before later being cut in half. Danny the Deal Guru
Therefore, the $50 ticket program directly addresses two of the biggest complaints from fans: ticket cost and travel cost. Both are covered under this initiative.
What Makes This Program Unique?
This appears to be the only citywide discounted-ticket program announced for the 2026 tournament so far. No other host city has introduced a comparable initiative for its residents. Time Out
Furthermore, the anti-scalping measures make the program more fair. Non-transferable tickets distributed on match day mean real fans — not resellers — get to use them.
While 1,000 tickets represent only a small share of total World Cup seats, the program offers one of the most affordable ways for local residents, especially working-class New Yorkers, to attend matches in person. Documented
Who Attended the Announcement?
The announcement carried some star power. Mayor Mamdani made the announcement alongside U.S. men’s national team star Timothy Weah at a bar in Harlem’s Little Senegal neighborhood. ABC News
The location was deliberate. Harlem’s Little Senegal is home to a large Senegalese community — and France vs. Senegal and Norway vs. Senegal are both among the eligible matches. The city clearly wants these games to feel like home matches for immigrant communities across New York.
Key Dates to Remember
Here is a quick summary of the important deadlines:
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Lottery Opens | May 25, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET |
| Lottery Closes | May 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET |
| Winners Notified | June 3, 2026 |
| First Eligible Match | June 13, 2026 |
Conclusion
NYC World Cup tickets for $50 are a rare opportunity in an otherwise extremely expensive tournament. The city’s lottery program gives working New Yorkers a real shot at witnessing one of the world’s greatest sporting events live. Moreover, the free bus transportation removes yet another financial barrier.
However, competition will be fierce. Thousands of residents will likely enter the lottery for just 1,000 spots. Therefore, do not wait. Head to regnyctix.com when the lottery opens on May 25 and enter before the May 30 deadline.
This summer, the World Cup comes to New York. And for the first time, it just might be affordable enough for the city’s everyday fans to be there.
Check back for the latest updates on FIFA World Cup 2026 news, match schedules, and New York City event coverage.
