New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces $25 pre-World Cup friendly tickets
· Yahoo Sports
In another push to make the beautiful game more accessible to everyday New Yorkers, City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the NYNJ World Cup Host Committee, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have come together to make low-cost tickets available for two international friendlies set to take place at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The home of the MLS’s New York Red Bulls will play host to Bolivia against Scotland on June 6, with Norway set to take on reigning AFCON champions Morocco the following day.
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According to a press release by Mamdani’s team, via The Athletic, a predesignated number of tickets will be made available for a mere $25 - a paltry figure compared to the extortionate rates FIFA President Gianni Infantino has leapt to the defense of for the upcoming World Cup. Infantino's comments weren't enough to prevent Attorney Generals for New York and New Jersey from subpoenaing FIFA amidst allegations of 'manipulating' World Cup fans into forking out for the 'sky-high' ticket prices.
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2,000 tickets were made available for Saturday’s game, with 500 up for grabs for Sunday’s match, which could feature the likes of Erling Haaland. These went live on the Road to 26 website.
An avid soccer fan who recently attended an Eid celebration in a custom Arsenal-themed kurta, Mamdani said, “We’re proud to work with our partners to make these two ‘friendly’ matches accessible to every New Yorker.
“For $25 any family can cross the river and watch world-class soccer a few weeks before this historic tournament kicks off in our backyard. The joy of the World Cup belongs to every New Yorker, and we want families across the five boroughs to know those seats are there for them.”
What’s more, for fans looking to soak up the gameday atmosphere without paying a single dime, the NYNJ Host Committee also announced that together with Mamdani, Governor Sherrill, and Governor Hochul, Town of Harrison and it’s Mayor James Fife, and Red Bull New York, access to the NYNJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub at Sports Illustrated Stadium would be complimentary.
“Fans will be able to experience matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 for free from inside Sports Illustrated Stadium, one of the premier soccer venues in the United States,” the statement explained.
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“With its authentic soccer atmosphere, giant video boards and direct PATH access, the Jersey Fan Hub offers a unique opportunity to watch the world’s biggest tournament from inside a professional soccer stadium.”
The Fan Hub will be available to the public during the Group Stage for eight days between June 14 and 26, and eight days during the Knockout Rounds between July 1 and 15.
This all follows an announcement by Mamdani in which he revealed that the NYNJ Host Committee had made 1,000 World Cup tickets at MetLife Stadium available to locals for a fixed price.
“These 1,000 tickets are going to be split into batches of 150 tickets for each of the five group stage matches, and two knockout round matches in New York-New Jersey, and tickets will cost only $50. To put that into perspective, that is five lattes in New York City,” Mamdani joked.
“And since it is not just ticket costs that make this tournament unaffordable, but the cost of travel as well, we will be providing free round-trip bus transportation to MetLife for those who get a ticket.”