Football supporters planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup face a new and unexpected cost, as organisers appear set to break with tradition by charging for entry to official fan zones.
End of a Free Tradition
Historically, official FIFA fan zones in host cities have been free to enter, providing an inclusive space for supporters without match tickets to gather and watch games on giant screens. This is set to change for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
A dedicated website for the FIFA Fan Festival in New York/New Jersey now includes a link to 'buy early bird tickets'. This redirects to a Ticketmaster page where fans can select days to attend the festival at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
For the match between Mexico and South Africa on 11 June 2026, the listed price per ticket is $12.50 (approximately £10). Other matches show the same entry fee. It remains unclear whether FIFA or the local city authorities made the decision to introduce charges.
Mounting Fury Over World Cup Costs
This move is likely to provoke significant anger among fans, coming on the heels of widespread condemnation of FIFA's initial ticket pricing for the 2026 matches. Following the draw earlier this month, the governing body was criticised for an astronomical pricing structure.
Under the original plan, if England reached the final, fans would have had to pay over £5,000 for tickets alone, with the cheapest final ticket priced at a staggering £3,119.
After a fierce backlash, FIFA introduced a small number of 'more affordable' tickets at £45 each. Roughly 400 of these will be available for each England match. However, the new fan zone charges add another financial barrier for travelling supporters.
Political and Public Backlash
The decision has already drawn sharp criticism from local politicians. New York City's elected Public Advocate, Zohran Mamdani, an Arsenal fan, slammed the efforts. He shared a screenshot regarding FIFA's limited cheaper tickets, stating: 'A $60 'fan ticket' for 1.6% of seats is not enough. Not when FIFA just set the highest ticket prices in World Cup history.'
Mamdani joined thousands demanding the tournament be affordable for New Yorkers, calling for an end to dynamic pricing, limits on resale prices, and 15% of tickets reserved at a discount for local fans. He asserted: 'The beautiful game must be for everyone.'
The official website describes the Fan Festival as 'the official epicentre of the FIFA World Cup 26™ celebration' and a major destination with a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty. It promises live match screenings, concerts, and cultural activities.
It is not yet confirmed whether fan festivals in other host cities across the USA, Canada, and Mexico will also charge entry. FIFA has been contacted for comment.
