FIFA faces a subpoena from the states of New York and New Jersey as part of an investigation into details surrounding pricing and accuracy of seat locations for the 2026 World Cup.
In a joint release, New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said prices for the 2026 World Cup matches “far exceeded the prices for any previous World Cup tournament.”
FIFA has detailed the first-time use of “dynamic pricing” to adjust ticket costs based on demand. Fan complaints, and allegations of paying for tickets in one location of the stadium but receiving a less-desirable seat, caught the attention of state officials.
When pressed to explain why ticket prices were elevated since the initial on-sale date in October, FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the governing body on multiple fronts by pointing to the limited ticket supply for an event with worldwide demand.
The attorneys general confirmed they are seeking information regarding general event pricing structure, location pricing structure, seat location and other details related to the eight World Cup matches scheduled to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The quarterfinals, semifinal and July 19 final all are to be held at MetLife Stadium.
“New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets,” James said in a release. “No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchased will be the ones they receive.”
The investigation seeks to soothe concerns for fans who’ve purchased — or hope to have an opportunity to purchase — tickets but feel misled about the final product.
“FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity and impossibly high prices — all at the expense of consumers and hard-working New Jerseyans,” Davenport said in the statement.
James said watchdogs called on government officials for guidance resolving disputes from fans who claim to have selected a seat in one “category” of the four available at MetLife Stadium only to be assigned seats further back from the playing surface.
FIFA contributed to elements of the seating location confusion with the late introduction of a premium ticket option or “Front Category” after initial tickets had already been sold.
–Field Level Media
