New York Mayoral Front-Runner Petitions FIFA to Scrap Dynamic Pricing for 2026 World Cup

Mamdani Launches "Game Over Greed" Campaign

Zohran Mamdani, the state assembly member currently leading the race for mayor of New York City, has launched a petition urging FIFA to abandon its recently announced dynamic pricing strategy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mamdani, who holds a commanding lead in early polls with 46 percent support among likely voters compared to former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 24 percent, unveiled the campaign under the slogan “Game Over Greed.” The petition argues for fairer ticketing practices to ensure residents of New York and the surrounding region can afford to attend one of the most anticipated sporting events in history.

The 2026 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will stage eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey—including the final. FIFA has projected that ticket sales will generate over $3 billion in revenue under its market-driven ticketing model, but critics say the system risks shutting out the very fans who give the tournament its spirit.

FIFA’s Dynamic Pricing Model

At the heart of the controversy is FIFA’s decision to implement dynamic pricing for matches across the tournament. This system, commonly used in the airline and concert industries, adjusts prices in real time based on demand, availability, and anticipated resale value.

For the upcoming tournament, entry-level tickets to group-stage matches have been set at $60, but top-tier non-hospitality seats for the final are projected to reach as high as $6,730. Because the prices are adjustable, they could climb even higher during periods of peak demand, while FIFA’s newly established official resale platform will allow tickets to be flipped without an upper limit on resale prices.

Mamdani warns this will exacerbate inequality at an event that is supposed to unite communities. “The FIFA World Cup is coming to New York City next year. It’s an incredible opportunity for economic growth and community spirit in our city—but only if working-class New Yorkers can actually attend the matches,” the petition reads.

Petition Demands for Change

The “Game Over Greed” campaign outlines three major reforms FIFA should adopt ahead of ticket sales:

• Elimination of dynamic pricing in favor of fixed ticket costs.
• Reinstatement of caps on ticket resales, once standard in previous tournaments.
• Distribution of 15 percent of tickets at discounted prices exclusively for local residents.

The petition argues that without these protections, “the biggest sporting event in the world is happening in our backyard, and the vast majority of New Yorkers won’t be able to see it.”

Historical Context in World Cup Ticketing

Dynamic pricing marks a sharp departure from FIFA’s past approach. In previous tournaments, including the 2010, 2014, and 2018 World Cups, FIFA maintained clearer and more uniform guidelines for ticket pricing and provided local ticket allocations to ensure host nations enjoyed strong representation in the stands.

By comparison, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil featured four distinct ticketing categories, with dedicated discounted tickets for seniors, students, and lower-income citizens. At that time, FIFA emphasized equitable access as crucial for sustaining the global reputation of football’s showcase event.

Similarly, the 2018 tournament in Russia set aside tickets for local fans at far more affordable rates, ensuring average residents could attend despite soaring international demand. Critics argue FIFA’s latest model prioritizes profit maximization over tradition and community engagement.

Regional Comparisons and Ticketing Experiences

Ticketing controversies are not new to international sports. In England, the Premier League has long faced outcry over fluctuating ticket costs, leading to protests and even walkouts by supporters. In 2016, Liverpool fans staged a mass exit in the 77th minute after ticket prices rose to £77, forcing club ownership to reconsider its policy.

In the United States, Major League Baseball and the National Football League have both experimented with dynamic pricing models, often facing backlash from season-ticket holders and fan advocacy groups. Supporters argue that football, unlike many commercial sports, carries a deep cultural and community identity—pricing fans out of stadiums risks severing that connection.

The World Cup’s North American co-hosts provide further contrasting experiences. Mexico traditionally maintains fan-friendly ticket structures, with some games priced at local-market levels. Canada, while new to hosting the tournament, has pursued policy measures to ensure affordability for domestic sporting events such as hockey championships. The sharp rise in FIFA ticket prices has alarmed observers across all three host nations.

Economic Stakes for New York and New Jersey

MetLife Stadium’s selection to host the World Cup final is projected to be an economic windfall for the New York metropolitan area. Officials estimate that the matches could inject over $2 billion into the regional economy, creating jobs in hospitality, transportation, and tourism. Hotels, restaurants, and small businesses across New York and New Jersey are bracing for a surge in visitors.

However, Mamdani and other critics argue that if local residents are priced out, the broader social and cultural benefits could be undermined. “Economic growth and community spirit” are only possible, they argue, if New Yorkers themselves can take part in the stadium experience. Otherwise, the tournament risks becoming an event for global elites and affluent travelers rather than the local populations that make New York an iconic host city.

Supporters’ Organizations Raise Concerns

Fan groups have also sounded alarms. Earlier this summer, Football Supporters Europe sent FIFA a strongly worded letter highlighting the inequities of dynamic pricing. It urged the governing body to reconsider a system that, in their words, “rewards affluence and algorithmic timing” at the expense of longstanding fans who save for years to attend World Cups.

The letter underscored the disparity between a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience and a commercial product: “Supporters plan, travel, and save for years to be part of this global celebration of football. Introducing a pricing model that rewards those who can pay the most or click the fastest risks turning a unifying global celebration into a pay-to-play spectacle.”

Dynamic Pricing Precedents

A vivid example of how dynamic pricing operates was seen earlier this year during the FIFA Club World Cup. Tickets for a semi-final match at MetLife Stadium plunged from $473.90 to just $13.40 after demand failed to meet expectations. For the World Cup, however, global enthusiasm is expected to push prices sharply upward, especially for matches involving marquee teams.

This volatility, critics say, places fans at the mercy of algorithms, where any miscalculation or surge in demand can lock out ordinary supporters.

FIFA’s Silence and Mamdani’s Political Strategy

As of this week, FIFA has not formally responded to Mamdani’s petition. The organization remains committed to its commercial forecasts, emphasizing that the new resale platform will provide “flexibility and transparency” for fans—although details regarding fees and maximum resale prices remain undisclosed.

For Mamdani, the issue has become a centerpiece of his mayoral campaign. Affordability has consistently been one of his top political themes, from housing to transit, and now to sports accessibility. By framing the World Cup as a defining test of fairness in New York, he has positioned himself not just as an advocate for working-class families but also as a defender of cultural equity in one of the city’s highest-profile international events.

What Comes Next

With the tournament less than a year away and ticket sales expected to accelerate in the coming months, the petition is gaining traction among local fans, advocacy groups, and even small business owners who see community participation as key to the event’s success. Whether the momentum can force FIFA to adjust its policy remains unclear.

The stakes are high. For New York and New Jersey, hosting the World Cup represents an unparalleled moment of global attention. For FIFA, it is a chance to set a revenue benchmark for future tournaments. But for millions of fans, it is ultimately about one thing: the right to be part of a celebration that transcends sport itself.

As Mamdani’s petition gains signatures, the tension between profit and participation threatens to define the build-up to the 2026 World Cup. Whether FIFA bends under public pressure or holds firm in pursuit of maximum revenue could shape not only the nature of the upcoming tournament but also the legacy of football’s greatest showcase in North America.