New York City is giving local soccer fans a rare shot at seeing the 2026 FIFA World Cup without spending a fortune. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that 1,000 World Cup tickets will be offered to residents of the five boroughs through a lottery system — and each ticket will cost just $50.
Here’s the exciting part:
- 1,000 discounted tickets available
- Free round-trip bus rides included
- Open only to New York City residents age 15 and older
The city partnered with the New York-New Jersey Host Committee to make the experience more affordable for everyday New Yorkers heading to matches at MetLife Stadium.
Mayor Mamdani said the goal is to make sure the World Cup isn’t just for wealthy fans. He explained that working-class residents should also have a chance to enjoy one of the world’s biggest sporting events right in their own backyard.
The lottery officially opens on May 25 at 10 a.m. and closes on May 30 at midnight. Winners will be announced on June 3, and tickets will be handed out in person at the bus departure location.
According to city officials, residents can enter the lottery once per day. Around 150 tickets will be available for each selected match, including five group-stage games and two knockout-round matches.
The announcement was made in Harlem’s Little Senegal neighborhood alongside World Cup officials and U.S. men’s national team players Tim Weah and Mark McKenzie.
City World Cup coordinator Maya Handa said the program is about giving regular New Yorkers a chance to be part of the action — from restaurant workers in Brooklyn to security guards in Queens.
The ticket giveaway also comes after fans pushed back against high transportation costs tied to World Cup matches. While train fares to the stadium were once expected to rise dramatically, officials recently lowered those prices to under $100. Bus tickets, however, are still priced around $80 for regular riders.
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