New York to Offer 1,000 $50 World Cup Tickets via Lottery

A limited number of New York City residents will have a rare chance to attend World Cup matches for $50 this summer under a new city initiative. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the program on Thursday, securing 1,000 tickets to be distributed via a public lottery.

The tickets cover seven of the eight matches scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, excluding the July 19 final. The available games include five group-stage matches featuring teams like Brazil, France, Germany, and England, one Round of 32 game, and one Round of 16 game. Each $50 ticket includes a seat in the stadium's upper tier and free round-trip bus transportation from the city.

The lottery will open on May 25 and close on May 30. City officials said the tickets will be non-transferable to prevent resale, and residency will be verified when winners board buses on game days. Winners can purchase up to two tickets each.

Mayor Mamdani framed the effort as a move to ensure working-class residents are not excluded from the global event. He stated that the initiative shows his administration's commitment to making cultural experiences accessible, extending beyond core affordability issues like housing and groceries.