Football fans heading to the 2026 World Cup in North America are set to be hit with another unexpected cost, as organisers plan to charge for entry to traditionally free public viewing areas.
Breaking with Tradition: The £10 Fan Zone Fee
In a significant departure from previous tournaments, supporters may have to pay close to £10 just to watch matches on big screens in official fan zones. These areas, usually located in large city parks, have historically been free to enter and are a key part of making the tournament accessible to all.
However, a website for the New York and New Jersey 'FIFA Fan Festival' now features a link prompting visitors to 'buy early bird tickets now'. This directs browsers to a Ticketmaster page where days can be selected for attendance.
For the match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11 at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, the listed price per ticket is $12.50 (approximately £10). Other fixtures are shown with the same charge. It remains unclear whether FIFA or local city authorities made the decision to implement fees. FIFA has been approached for comment.
Mounting Outrage Over World Cup Costs
This new charge is likely to trigger further anger among fans, coming on the heels of widespread condemnation of FIFA's ticket pricing structure for the 2026 tournament. Earlier this month, after the group stage draw, FIFA was heavily criticised for releasing staggering prices.
Should England reach the final, supporters would have faced spending over £5,000 on tickets alone, with the cheapest final ticket priced at an astonishing £3,119. Following a backlash, FIFA introduced a small number of 'more affordable' tickets for every match at £45, with around 400 available for each England game.
On Wednesday, New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani slammed these efforts. The Arsenal fan shared a screenshot about the cheaper tickets, writing: 'A $60 "supporter ticket" for 1.6% of seats isn't enough. Not when FIFA just set the highest ticket prices in World Cup history.'
He demanded an end to dynamic pricing, a cap on resale prices, and 15% of tickets set aside at a discount for local fans, stating: 'The beautiful game must be for everyone.'
The Official 'Epicenter' of Celebration
The festival's website describes the New York/New Jersey event as 'the official epicenter of the FIFA World Cup 26™ celebration - the largest, most iconic, and most visible fan destination outside of the stadium'.
Set against the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, Liberty State Park will transform into a landmark for match viewings, concerts, and festivities. The site promises live screenings, music performances, and interactive football experiences.
It is currently unknown whether fans will also be charged for entry to similar Fan Festivals in other host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
