New York, New Jersey subpoena FIFA in World Cup ticket probe - ESPN
FIFA subpoenaed over World Cup ticket practices
-->
Skip to main content
Skip to navigation
FIFA subpoenaed over World Cup ticket practices<br>2hTisha Thompson
'Triple Espresso' reunited in latest USWNT squad<br>2hJeff Kassouf
Sources: Barça make offer for Newcastle's Gordon<br>1hSam Marsden and Moises Llorens
Frimpong left out of Dutch WC squad; Depay in<br>3mESPN News Services
Madrid president candidate: I'll sign Spain star<br>5hAdriana Garcia
Celtic's Schmeichel retires with shoulder injury<br>8hESPN News Services
Koeman: England 'gamble on corners' like Arsenal<br>3hESPN
Poch: 'Amazing' Reyna deserves USMNT WC spot<br>19hJeff Carlisle
Ranking the 10 official FIFA World Cup songs, from Shakira to Ricky Martin<br>10hChris Wright
USMNT's final World Cup roster is classic Pochettino -- and it comes with big risks<br>22hJeff Carlisle
If Premier League transfer trend continues, who could move?<br>10hSam Tighe
Arsenal Keep or Dump: Find Ødegaard replacement? Move Gyökeres and Havertz?<br>1dGabriele Marcotti and Mark Ogden
Transfer rumors, news: Juventus to move for Salah after Liverpool exit<br>6hESPN
Awkward sponsorships and failed crypto deals: When do NWSL growth efforts go too far for fans?<br>6hJeff Kassouf
Why Mourinho's potential Real Madrid return is affected by club's presidential elections<br>8hBruno Andrade and Daniel Bocatto
LaLiga 2025-26 awards: Yamal, Barcelona reign in Spain again<br>1dGraham Hunter
Yamal named for Spain: All World Cup squads announced so far<br>3hESPN
Ranked: Which World Cup favorite teams are most likely to implode this summer?<br>1dRyan O'Hanlon
play<br>Pep Guardiola criticises 'so expensive' FIFA World Cup tickets (1:48)
Tisha ThompsonMay 27, 2026, 11:12 AM ET<br>CloseTisha Thompson is an investigative reporter for ESPN based in Washington, D.C. Her work appears on all platforms, both domestically and internationally.Follow on X
Multiple Authors
Email<br>Print
Open Extended Reactions
New York and New Jersey announced Wednesday they have subpoenaed FIFA as part of an investigation into its ticketing practices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing soaring prices and reports that fans were misled about seat locations.<br>New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a news release that their offices are seeking internal information about how FIFA sold tickets to eight World Cup matches scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the final on July 19.<br>"New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets," James said in a statement. "No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchased will be the ones they receive."<br>ESPN has contacted FIFA for comment.<br>FIFA's ticket prices have "far exceeded the prices for any previous World Cup tournament," according to the joint announcement by the attorneys general.<br>MetLife Stadium will host the 2026 World Cup final. Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty ImagesThis is the first World Cup in which FIFA has used dynamic pricing, adjusting ticket prices based on demand, and fan complaints about high ticket prices have dominated the headlines. One fan organization accused FIFA of "a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup" in December.<br>The attorneys general cited news reports that found FIFA raised the price of tickets for most of the 104 World Cup matches between October and April, with prices for the three main ticket categories rising on average by 34%.<br>The investigation promises to "examine whether and how FIFA's ticket release schedule, public statements, and other conduct may have impacted these prices."<br>Editor's Picks<br>USMNT's final World Cup roster is classic Pochettino -- and it comes with big risksJeff Carlisle
Fans question whether World Cup is worth the hassleAnthony Olivieri
Yamal named for Spain: All World Cup squads announced so farESPN
2 Related<br>"Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated," Davenport said in a statement. "But FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity and impossibly high prices."<br>"It is an honor to host the World Cup, but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors," Davenport added.<br>FIFA has repeatedly defended the high ticket prices for this summer's tournament, citing the market demand. "We have to look at the market," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said earlier this month. "We are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates."<br>When asked recently about tickets going for $1,000 and higher, President Donald Trump told The New York Post, "I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you."
The investigation will also seek answers to whether fans were misled about the locations of...