New York and New Jersey opened a joint investigation after subpoenaing FIFA in May over 2026 World Cup ticketing practices they said far exceeded prices at any previous tournament.
Dynamic pricing drove the sharp increases: final tickets that initially sold for $6,730 had climbed to $10,990 by spring sales windows, while seats on FIFA’s resale platform reached six and even seven figures.
FIFA also takes a 15% cut from both buyer and seller on its resale marketplace, intensifying criticism that a tournament marketed as fan-friendly had priced out supporters.
The probe lands as FIFA expects a record $13 billion from the 2026 tournament, with host cities and states absorbing security costs and granting tax breaks on ticket sales.
As FIFA's profits soar while host cities face deficits, is its powerful business model broken for anyone but FIFA?
With a state-owned oil giant as a top partner, what does FIFA's embrace of Saudi Arabia reveal about football's future?
Subpoenas, Soaring Prices, and Fan Fury: The Legal Storm Over FIFA’s 2026 World Cup Ticketing Practices
Overview
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium just one day away, a major legal challenge is overshadowing the event. New York and New Jersey Attorneys General, supported by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, have launched a joint investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices, focusing on matches at MetLife Stadium. Fans have raised concerns about misleading seat assignments and the sudden introduction of new premium zones after ticket sales began, which changed the value and availability of tickets already purchased. These issues have led to widespread frustration and official scrutiny just before the tournament’s biggest match.