The FIFA World Cup is heading right to our backyard in just weeks, and you will not need to empty your savings account to be part of the action.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani just dropped some incredible news for local soccer fans.
The city officially teamed up with the NYNJ Host Committee to secure 1,000 highly coveted tickets to the FIFA World Cup 2026 for true New Yorkers.
We are talking upper-bowl seats for just $50 each and a totally free bus ride straight to the stadium.
As the Mayor himself joked during the announcement, fifty bucks is basically the price of five lattes in this city.
Here’s more information on the sweet deal.
How to score your $50 World Cup tickets
Forget the crazy resale market where tickets are already soaring into the thousands.
The Mayor negotiated this special program to make absolutely sure working-class residents get to experience the magic of the tournament firsthand.
The special allocation covers five group stage matches and two knockout round games taking place at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium).
Around 150 tickets are up for grabs per game.
The registration details you need to know
You must be a New York City resident aged 15 or older to get in on this historic deal.
The official lottery opens up at regnyctix.com on Monday, May 25th at 10 am sharp and officially closes on Saturday, May 30th at midnight.
You can drop your name in the hat once a day to boost your odds, but keep in mind there is a strict daily cap of 50,000 entries.
Set those daily alarms so you do not miss your window!
Lucky winners will receive that golden email notification on Wednesday, June 3rd and will then have 48 hours to buy up to two tickets each.
Keeping it fair for true fans
The city is stepping up to ensure these affordable seats go to everyday people instead of scalpers looking to make a quick buck.
Because of this strict rule, the tickets are completely nontransferable and officials will be verifying NYC residency through IDs, pay stubs, or utility bills before you can claim them.
You will actually receive your tickets in person at the official boarding location on the exact day of your match.
That brings us to the ultimate perk.
Every single winner gets complimentary round-trip bus transportation from the pickup spot directly to the stadium gates.
It is a massive win for the five boroughs and ensures the world’s game truly belongs to the locals who make New York City pulse with energy every single day.
Are you putting your name in the hat?