According to TA, New Jersey will provide 770 free tickets for the FIFA World Cup matches.
The New York New Jersey FIFA World Cup Host Committee will provide 770 free tickets to New Jersey residents. Previously, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani secured 1,000 $50 tickets for New York residents.
This initiative was made possible by ticket donations from host committee partners Uber and Hackensack Meridian Health. Both organizations collaborated with the host committee and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill to advance the plan.
These tickets will cover all seven matches held at MetLife Stadium during the FIFA World Cup, which are all matches hosted at the stadium except for the final.
Of these, 500 tickets will be distributed to youth soccer clubs and families of New Jersey National Guard service members currently deployed overseas. Other eligible groups include Hackensack hospital patients involved in the "Make-A-Wish Foundation" program, and Bergen County first responders assisting with the FIFA World Cup operations.
Another 200 tickets will be distributed to New Jersey frontline nurses and medical personnel, as well as pediatric patients, critically ill children and their families, through the Host Committee's official local hospital partner, Hackensack.
The remaining 70 free tickets will come from the Host Committee's allocation, for people who support local small businesses through the "Welcome the World Rewards Program". Fans will be eligible for these tickets after visiting local businesses, attending local watch parties, and community events during the tournament.
These 770 tickets will be non-transferable to prevent resale or scalping.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill confirmed TA's report, stating: "Starting this week, we are thrilled to welcome the world to the Garden State for the FIFA World Cup, and excited to be at the center of the celebrations. But first and foremost, we want as many New Jersey residents as possible to be able to afford and participate in this experience. I will always strive to ensure no New Jerseyan is left behind."
Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry said: "Over the past few weeks, we have worked closely with Governor Sherrill and our corporate partners to secure more tickets for the people of New Jersey. I want to thank the Governor for her leadership in ensuring hundreds of New Jersey residents have this once-in-a-generation opportunity to participate in such an important moment. I also want to thank Uber and Hackensack Meridian Health for stepping up and helping us provide these tickets."
Last month, after negotiations with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani secured 1,000 tickets priced at $50 for New York residents, to be allocated via lottery exclusively to New York residents.
The $50 seats were the lowest-priced tickets available for fans to purchase on the FIFA World Cup primary ticketing market. Lottery winners also received free round-trip bus service to the match venue. During the FIFA World Cup, taking NJ Transit rail to MetLife Stadium will cost $98.
This plan required FIFA approval, as lotteries, raffles, or ticket pricing below FIFA's official pricing system are generally not allowed.
FIFA's approval annoyed New Jersey politicians. They were displeased that FIFA World Cup organizers approved a benefit exclusively for New Yorkers, even though MetLife Stadium is located in New Jersey, and New Jersey has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the FIFA World Cup. A spokesperson for New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill stated, "It's nothing new that FIFA doesn't care about the cost to New Jersey residents." Sherrill had previously criticized FIFA for not helping NJ Transit cover the estimated €48 million in FIFA World Cup operating costs.
Subsequently, this issue became more localized within the host county, Bergen County.
Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III wrote to Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey Host Committee, requesting an affordable ticket access plan for Bergen County residents.
He wrote in his letter: "Our residents will bear the daily impacts of hosting this tournament more directly than any other community in the region. Bergen County families will face increased traffic congestion, added stress on local roads, heightened public safety demands, and the broader disruptions naturally associated with an event of this magnitude. Our municipalities, first responders, transportation personnel, and local communities will carry many of the responsibilities needed to help make the FIFA World Cup a success."
As early as the 2018 joint bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the FIFA World Cup, New York and New Jersey established a joint host city partnership to host FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.
MetLife Stadium, located in New Jersey, ultimately secured the right to host eight matches, including the final. During the tournament, the stadium will also provide training bases for four FIFA World Cup teams: Brazil, Senegal, Haiti, and Morocco. The idea was to combine the global recognition and reputation of New York with New Jersey's infrastructure, hence the Host Committee name was designated as New York New Jersey.
This also included stadium signage. During the tournament, the MetLife name was replaced because FIFA's agreement with host cities stipulates that no commercial sponsor logos are allowed in venues other than FIFA's own sponsors. Therefore, during this tournament, the venue was referred to as New York New Jersey Stadium, and two large signs were set up on site to clearly state this name.
However, Governor Sherrill's office requested FIFA and the Host Committee to more fully reflect New Jersey's role, investment, and contributions in the FIFA World Cup, and hoped for a name change.
This request for a name change was made several months ago. At that time, FIFA requested some operational adjustments to venue matters, and Governor Sherrill's office expressed willingness to cooperate, but requested a name change in return.
Governor Sherrill stated: "I will always put New Jersey first, and I hope the stadium that hosts eight FIFA World Cup matches in our state does the same."
New York and New Jersey also have tension over transportation to the match venues. NJ Transit tickets for rail service to the stadium cost $98; New York Governor Kathy Hochul, however, pledged approximately €6 million to reduce an $80 shuttle bus service to $20 round-trip, and to deploy yellow school buses for support.