New Jersey, New York attorneys general investigate FIFA World Cup ticket sales practices
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following reports of misleading seat assignments and soaring ticket prices.
The attorneys general said subpoenas have been sent to FIFA seeking information related to ticket sales for upcoming World Cup matches, including the eight matches scheduled to be played in New Jersey, among them the World Cup final on July 19, 2026.
Officials said the investigation follows complaints from fans who reported receiving seats different from those originally advertised and concerns about dramatic price increases during multiple ticket release phases.
“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,” said Attorney General Davenport. “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. It’s an honor to host the World Cup, but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors.”
“New Jersey is excited to host the World Cup and welcome fans from across the globe. 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,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill.
Attorney General James said consumers deserve transparency and fairness while purchasing tickets for one of the world’s largest sporting events.
“New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets,” said Attorney General James. “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. I thank Attorney General Davenport for joining this effort to get answers from FIFA and protect our states’ consumers.”
According to the attorneys general, FIFA initially divided stadium seating into four categories, with Category 1 representing the most desirable locations. However, after many fans had already purchased tickets, FIFA reportedly introduced new “Front Category” seating sections containing premium seats within each category at significantly higher prices.
Officials said some fans who purchased tickets before the new sections were added were later assigned less desirable seating farther from the field or behind goals. Others reported paying for Category 1 seating but receiving seats in Category 2 sections.
The investigation will also examine FIFA’s use of variable pricing and whether ticket release timing and public statements contributed to rising costs. According to press reports cited by the attorneys general, prices for more than 90 of the tournament’s 104 matches increased between October 2025 and April 2026, with average increases of 34% across the three primary ticket categories.
New Jersey residents who believe they did not receive the World Cup tickets they paid for are encouraged to file complaints through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website.
