New York and New Jersey subpoena FIFA over World Cup 2026 ticketing at MetLife
New York and New Jersey have subpoenaed FIFA as part of an investigation into alleged ticketing practices at MetLife Stadium for FIFA World Cup 2026, including claims of misleading seat allocations and engineered scarcity.
New York and New Jersey attorneys general have launched a joint investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices for FIFA World Cup 2026, focusing on matches scheduled at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.The probe is being led by New York attorney general Letitia James and New Jersey attorney general Jennifer Davenport and is seeking information on how tickets have been marketed, priced and ultimately allocated to buyers.Officials said the inquiry centres on fan complaints that seat locations did not match expectations created by FIFA’s category descriptions, alongside allegations that FIFA’s public messaging and release patterns have contributed to inflated prices.James said: “No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive.”The subpoena request is focused on MetLife Stadium, which is due to host eight matches including the July 19 final, although the issues raised have wider relevance across the tournament’s 16 host cities.The investigation lands amid sustained criticism of World Cup ticket pricing after FIFA introduced dynamic pricing for the tournament, a model that allows prices to fluctuate based on demand.Fans and consumer advocates have argued that the system has pushed average prices higher and made it harder for supporters to understand what they will pay until late in the purchase process.Officials said the World Cup has seen average ticket prices hover above US$1,000 since tickets went on sale, despite a stated entry price level around US$60 for limited allocations.FIFA has released small tranches of lower-cost inventory in specific programmes, including a Supporter Entry Tier offer capped at US$60 per ticket that represents 1.6% of total tickets, according to officials familiar with the initiative.In New York City, a separate resident-focused lottery has been announced offering a limited number of US$50 tickets for MetLife matches excluding the final, with round-trip bus travel included.Seat placement is a second key strand of the investigation.Officials said FIFA had indicated a shift away from traditional World Cup seat categories, then used a model closer to the historic approach when tickets went on sale, before later creating a new premium zone close to the pitch priced significantly above existing category levels.The investigation notice said: “Reports indicate that fans who bought tickets before these new zones were introduced were excluded from those seats and instead assigned less desirable seats, including seats far from the field or behind the goals.”New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill backed the inquiry in a statement, saying: “No one should be allowed to exploit New Jersey fans or those coming to our state. I applaud Attorneys General Davenport and James for standing up on behalf of consumers and investigating whether they have been misled.”Any findings from the joint investigation could increase pressure on ticketing transparency and seat allocation rules as the tournament approaches.