New Jersey, New York launch investigation into FIFA World Cup ticket sales
State officials say fans faced soaring prices and may have been misled about seat locations
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and New York Attorney General Letitia James have launched an investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices for the 2026 World Cup following complaints that fans were misled about seat locations and faced soaring ticket prices.
The attorneys general announced Wednesday that they had issued subpoenas to FIFA seeking information about ticket sales for the tournament, including eight matches scheduled to take place in New Jersey and the World Cup final on July 19, 2026.
The investigation comes amid reports that some fans paid for premium seats but later received tickets in less desirable sections, while others saw prices rise sharply as FIFA released tickets in phases over several months.
“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 in a statement. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation of FIFA’s conduct, and we are proud to stand together with Attorney General James in protecting our consumers.”
Gov. Mikie Sherrill said no one should be allowed to exploit fans attending the international tournament.
“New Jersey is excited to host the World Cup and welcome fans from across the globe,” Sherrill said in a statement. “But no one should be allowed to exploit New Jersey fans or those coming to our state. I applaud Attorneys General Davenport and James for standing up on behalf of consumers and investigating whether they have been misled.”
According to the attorneys general, FIFA initially divided stadium seating into four zones, labeled Categories 1 through 4, with Category 1 representing the most desirable seats. After many fans had already purchased tickets, FIFA allegedly introduced new “Front Categories” within each section that carried significantly higher prices.
Fans who bought tickets before the new categories were introduced were later assigned less desirable seats, including locations farther from the field or behind the goals, according to the attorneys general.
Some consumers also reported that although they purchased and paid for Category 1 tickets, they ultimately received seats in Category 2 sections.
The investigation will also examine FIFA’s use of “variable pricing,” which adjusts ticket prices based on demand. 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%.
Attorney General James said fans should be able to trust the ticket-buying process.
“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.”
New Jersey residents who did not receive the World Cup tickets they paid for are being encouraged to file complaints with the state Division of Consumer Affairs.
Krystal Knapp is the founder, executive director, and publisher of The Jersey Vindicator and the founder of Planet Princeton. She has more than two decades of experience reporting in New Jersey, including 10 years at The Trenton Times, where she was the newsroom’s public records and computer-assisted reporting expert. Her work has been recognized by the New Jersey Press Association and the Center for Cooperative Media. You can reach her at Krystal AT jerseyvindicator.org.