The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have launched a joint investigation into Fifa's ticketing practices for the 2026 World Cup, issuing subpoenas over allegations that fans were misled about seat locations and that the organisation created artificial scarcity to drive up prices.
Subpoenas Issued Over Ticketing Practices
The investigation, announced on Wednesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, focuses specifically on matches scheduled at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will host eight games including the final on 19 July. The subpoenas seek detailed information about Fifa's ticketing procedures, including how tickets were allocated and priced.
Fifa has declined to comment on the investigation.
Allegations of Misleading Fans
James stated that "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." Davenport accused Fifa of practicing "fake scarcity" by withholding blocks of tickets from sale to inflate the prices of remaining seats. This marks the first time a law enforcement authority has levelled such a claim against the world football governing body.
The investigation was also supported by Samuel A A Levine, commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, who noted that Fifa's reported conduct would violate the city's consumer protection law. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill expressed support, stating that "no one should be allowed to exploit New Jersey fans or those coming to our state."
Dynamic Pricing and Rising Costs
Fifa has faced widespread criticism over its ticketing for the World Cup, which will kick off in two weeks across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament marks the first time Fifa has used dynamic pricing, where ticket prices fluctuate based on demand. This practice has led to average ticket prices exceeding $1,000 since sales began, despite a nominal floor of around $60.
A Guardian analysis earlier this year found that the cheapest tickets faced the steepest price increases, a trend that has continued. In response, Fifa released a limited allocation of "Supporter Entry Tier" tickets capped at $60, but these comprised just 1.6% of all available tickets. Additionally, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a lottery for $50 tickets to non-final matches at MetLife Stadium for city residents, including round-trip bus travel.
Seat Placement Controversies
The investigation also addresses seat placement. Last September, Fifa officials indicated that standard ticket categories (Category 1 on sidelines, Category 2 on endlines, Category 3 in corners) would be replaced with a system based solely on distance from the pitch. However, when tickets went on sale, a system similar to the old categories was used, with Category 1 covering the entire lower bowl and second-level sideline seats, Category 2 covering upper-level sideline seats, and Categories 3 and 4 covering small allocations in the uppermost tiers.
In April, Fifa introduced a new category for the first several rows next to the field, priced significantly higher than the rest of Category 1. The investigation notes that "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."
Fifa typically sells tickets by category and assigns specific seats later, but fans have expressed dismay on social media and in press reports that their assigned seats did not match the category purchased. For example, a Category 2 ticket might result in a seat in the last row of the stadium.
