New York and New Jersey attorneys general subpoena FIFA over World Cup ticketing practices

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport subpoenaed FIFA on Tuesday as part of an investigation into ticketing practices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing complaints about misleading seat assignments and rapidly increasing ticket prices.

The investigation, launched with support from the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCPW), seeks information about ticket sales for matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The venue is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches, including the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026.

Officials said the investigation follows reports that some fans were misled about where their seats would be located and that FIFA’s ticket release practices may have contributed to steep price increases.

“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. “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 creating confusion in the ticket-buying process.

“Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated. But 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 hardworking New Jerseyans,” Davenport said.

The attorneys general said the investigation will examine FIFA’s ticket categorization system. According to the release, FIFA initially divided stadium seating into four zones labeled Categories 1 through 4. After some fans had already purchased tickets, FIFA later introduced “Front Categories” within those sections, which included more desirable seats sold at higher prices.

Officials said some fans who bought tickets before the new categories were introduced were later assigned seats farther from the field or behind the goals.

The investigation will also look into complaints from fans who said they paid for Category 1 tickets but were assigned seats in Category 2 sections instead.

“As excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup, New Yorkers and visitors from around the world deserve transparency and fairness when purchasing tickets,” DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine said. “Reports of FIFA conduct in violation of the City’s Consumer Protection Law, including misleading fans about seat locations and artificially inflating prices, are deeply troubling.”

Officials also said FIFA’s use of variable pricing will be part of the investigation. According to the attorneys general, ticket prices for more than 90 of the tournament’s 104 matches increased between October 2025 and April 2026, with prices for the three main ticket categories rising an average of 34%.

The attorneys general said they will examine whether FIFA’s ticket release schedule, public statements and other actions contributed to the increases.

New York residents who believe they did not receive the World Cup tickets they paid for are encouraged to file complaints with the New York Attorney General’s Office online or by calling 1-800-771-7755.

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