As the World Cup draws near, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has taken a strong stance against the rising cost of tickets. On the ‘Pablo Torre Finds Out’ podcast, Mamdani voiced his disappointment with FIFA’s approach to ticketing, arguing it will exclude many New Yorkers.
Mamdani, a self-proclaimed fan of Arsenal Football Club, pointed out that the previous World Cup in the United States in 1994 saw tickets priced under $200 in today’s currency, yet the current final game is being priced at over $6,000. He described this as ‘absurd,’ highlighting the disparity with past events.
He has proposed a 15% discount for New York residents and is urging FIFA to reconsider its demand-based pricing strategy. This position is part of a broader discussion around accessibility and affordability of major sporting events for local populations.
Meanwhile, Mamdani’s other policies are under scrutiny, including his use of rent-stabilized housing and his spending on private security, which contrasts with his earlier calls to defund police. These issues have added to the criticism about his candidacy, despite his focus on social welfare and affordable housing.
The World Cup will take place across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the final game set at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Despite the potential for significant price fluctuations, ticket prices have already been announced to start at $60 for group-stage matches and could reach as high as $6,730 for the final.
A dynamic pricing model has been adopted, allowing for price changes based on demand, which has sparked backlash among some fans, according to The Associated Press.