Ticket sales for the USMNT World Cup opener against Paraguay are “lagging behind other matches” in L.A., according to Crafton & Bushnell of THE ATHLETIC. According to a document distributed to local organizers shared with hosts to “ensure adequate planning,” listed 40,934 tickets purchased for the “high-priced” June 12 match, compared with 50,661 for the Iran-New Zealand match three days later at the same venue, SoFi Stadium. FIFA lists the stadium’s capacity at 69,650 for the 2026 World Cup. The document “does not necessarily suggest that there are tens of thousands of seats still available,” because it is “unclear if the numbers include hospitality and other types of tickets that weren’t sold to the general public.” FIFA was asked to clarify but declined to provide that context. The document “seems to confirm a growing body of evidence that the U.S. opener has not been selling as well as expected.” The relatively slow sales for U.S.-Paraguay are “likely a product of FIFA’s pricing,” but also perhaps a “misjudgment of the USMNT’s popularity” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/21).
PRICE IS RIGHT: In N.Y., John Cassidy noted that FIFA has insisted demand for tickets is “unprecedented, with more than five hundred million requests having been submitted for about six and a half million seats.” Recently, FIFA raised the ticket prices for some games, which “seemed to indicate that there was no shortage of buyers for them.” The prospect of empty seats would “alarm the television networks and sponsors who have paid top dollar to be associated with the tournament.” If games do not sell out soon, FIFA could “end up having to slash the prices for tickets to them” (NEW YORKER, 4/20).
GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT: On Long Island, Ben Dickson noted N.Y. State is “taking measures to ensure soccer fans can maximize” the World Cup experience “without spending exorbitant prices to attend any of the eight games at MetLife Stadium.” N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday announced a plan for bars, restaurants and event organizers to “host offsite activations, such as public watch parties and outdoor fan experiences, by applying for a World Cup One-Day Permit” through the N.Y. State Liquor Authority. With the permit, bars and restaurants also will be “able to use adjacent outdoor spaces to host World Cup events.” Hochul also is working with the state legislature to “authorize the temporary expansion of operating” hours to 4am ET throughout the duration of the World Cup. Some matches will “begin as late as midnight Eastern time, and the legislation would ensure fans can stay out to watch any World Cup game” (NEWSDAY, 4/20). In N.Y., Carl Campanile cited sources that during the World Cup, FIFA will “oversee a suite for dignitaries and elected officials presumably including” New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (N.Y. POST, 4/20).
