The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into Fifa's ticketing practices for the 2026 World Cup, focusing on matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The probe, announced on Wednesday by Letitia James and Jennifer Davenport, follows complaints from fans who allege they were misled about seat locations and that Fifa's messaging contributed to inflated prices.
Davenport accused Fifa of creating 'fake scarcity' by withholding ticket blocks to drive up prices, a claim now backed by a law enforcement authority. Samuel A Levine, commissioner of New York City's consumer protection department, said the reported conduct would violate city law. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill supported the investigation, stating that no one should exploit fans.
Fifa has faced widespread criticism for using dynamic pricing for the first time at a World Cup, causing average ticket prices to exceed $1,000. A Guardian analysis found that the cheapest tickets saw the steepest price increases. In response, Fifa released limited lower-priced tickets, including a 'Supporter Entry Tier' with $60 caps, comprising just 1.6% of total tickets, and a New York City initiative offering $50 tickets for non-final matches at MetLife.
Seat allocation has also been contentious. Fifa initially said categories would be based on distance from the pitch, but later reverted to a system similar to previous World Cups, where Category 1 includes the lower bowl and second-level sideline seats. The investigation will examine whether these practices misled consumers.
