The FIFA World Cup 2026 is coming to the New York-New Jersey region in just three weeks. Running from June 11 to July 19, the tournament is expected to draw more than 1.2 million visitors to the NY/NJ region for matches at MetLife Stadium. For many New Yorkers, tickets are expected to be expensive and very hard to secure, but a new city program is offering a limited number of affordable tickets.
New York City 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 just $50 each, available exclusively to New York City residents. Each ticket also includes free round-trip bus transportation to MetLife Stadium, helping to further reduce the overall cost of attending a match.
The tickets will cover five group-stage matches and two knockout games, with about 150 tickets available per match. To distribute them, the city is running a lottery system, according to the Mayor’s Office.
Here’s how to apply:
- Entry opens Monday, May 25 at 10 a.m. ET and closes Saturday, May 30 at midnight ET.
- You can enter at www.regnyctix.com.
- New York City residents age 15 and older are eligible. Those who secure tickets will be required to provide proof of residency.
- You can submit one entry through the website per day, with a daily cap of 50,000 total entries.
Winners will be selected at random and notified on Wednesday, June 3. If selected, you’ll be able to purchase up to two tickets.
A few important rules to know:
- To prevent scalping, tickets are nontransferable, meaning they cannot be resold or given to someone else.
- Tickets will be distributed in person on the day of the match at the official boarding location, where free transportation to and from the stadium will also be provided.
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.
If you’re hoping to be part of the World Cup when it comes to New York, entering the lottery may be your best chance to secure a ticket at a fraction of the expected price. Mark your calendars — it’s game time!
