NYC Offers $50 World Cup Tickets to Working Families

World Cup tickets usually cost hundreds of dollars, but New York City just made sure 1,000 regular New Yorkers can watch the games for $50.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Thursday that the city will use a lottery to distribute the affordable tickets to residents across all five boroughs. Winners also get free round-trip bus transportation to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where matches will be held this June.

"A World Cup is coming to our backyard, and we want to ensure working-class New Yorkers have the opportunity to be part of it," Mamdani said. The program resulted from direct negotiations between the mayor's office and the New York-New Jersey host committee.

Any city resident over age 15 can enter the lottery once per day starting May 25 at 10 a.m. through May 30 at midnight. The 1,000 tickets will cover five group-stage matches and two knockout rounds, with 150 seats available per game.

Winners get notified June 3 and pick up their tickets in person at the bus boarding location. The entire package costs just $50, a fraction of regular ticket prices.

Mayor Mamdani made the announcement in Harlem's Little Senegal neighborhood alongside U.S. national team players Tim Weah and Mark McKenzie. The location highlighted the city's diverse immigrant communities who follow international soccer closely.

Why This Inspires

This program directly addresses a growing problem. World Cup ticket prices have put the tournament out of reach for many fans, while transportation costs to the stadium skyrocketed to as much as $150 for train rides that normally cost $12.90.

City World Cup coordinator Maya Handa captured the program's spirit perfectly: "A kid in the Bronx, a security guard in Queens, a restaurant worker in Brooklyn or Staten Island are going to walk into the stadium this summer because their city fought for them to be there."

The lottery represents something bigger than soccer tickets. It's about cities ensuring major events serve everyone, not just those who can afford premium prices.

Thousands of working families now have a real shot at experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime global event happening in their own community.