New Jersey to offer 770 free World Cup tickets for MetLife Stadium

The New York New Jersey host committee for the 2026 World Cup has announced that 770 tickets will be provided for free to New Jersey residents. This initiative was made possible through ticket donations from partners Uber and Hackensack Meridian Health, following coordination with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill.

The tickets will be allocated across seven matches held at MetLife Stadium, excluding the final. Five hundred tickets are designated for youth soccer clubs, families of deployed New Jersey National Guard members, patients in the Make-A-Wish program, and Bergen County first responders. Additionally, 200 tickets will go to frontline healthcare workers and families dealing with serious illness, while 70 tickets are reserved for participants in the “Welcome World Rewards” program supporting local small businesses.

To prevent resale or scalping, all 770 tickets will be non-transferable. Fans can qualify for the rewards-based tickets by visiting local establishments and attending community watch parties throughout the tournament.

The move follows recent pressure from New Jersey officials regarding ticket accessibility and the state's significant financial commitment to the tournament. Previous negotiations by New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, which secured 1,000 $50 tickets for New Yorkers, had drawn criticism from New Jersey politicians who felt their state's role and investment were not being adequately reflected in terms of local benefits.