The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey said Wednesday they are investigating ticketing practices by the international governing body for soccer and the upcoming World Cup matches, amid widespread complaints about high ticket prices, which average $2,800 for matches at host MetLife Stadium.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a statement they had subpoenaed FIFA for documents detailing pricing for the matches, with a focus on the eight contests at MetLife, which begin June 13 with a Brazil-Morocco match.
The two attorneys general said they were prompted by news reports of fans’ ire over soaring prices and complaints of fans in some instances not receiving tickets as advertised — for example, their purchasing tickets in a premium section then discovering upon receipt that they had been reassigned to lesser-value seats.
“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 purchase will be the ones they receive.”
Davenport said FIFA had turned the ticket-buying process “into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices — all at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans.”
FIFA declined to comment on the inquiry. The organization’s leadership has previously defended the application of “market rates” pricing, contending FIFA doesn't set prices, demand does.
Tickets for the eight games hosted at MetLife Stadium — renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium for the contests — are selling for $2,790 on average, according to SeatPick.com. That's 118% higher than the 16-city average of $1,279, according to the company’s general manager, Shawn Stein. The average price of tickets to the July 19 World Cup final at the New York-New Jersey site is $12,500, Stein said.
High prices are partly the result of widespread use of dynamic pricing, according to scholars who closely follow sports and consumer behavior. Dynamic pricing means ticket prices fluctuate based on consumer demand and other factors. The pricing approach has prompted formal complaints from European fans.
James’ office said investigators will examine how FIFA’s ticket release schedule, public statements and other actions may have contributed to prices. Her office encouraged New Yorkers who had not received the tickets they paid for to call the office or submit a complaint online.
Congress has also gotten involved in the issue.
Reps. Nellie Pou and Frank Pallone, both New Jersey Democrats, sent FIFA President Gianni Infantino a letter on May 7, alleging dynamic pricing “ripoffs” in which the prices of tickets to some games remained high despite considerable availability.
“FIFA is continuing to sell these tickets at high prices, despite resale prices being lower,” the letter stated. “This suggests that prices are being held artificially high, even when the market signals otherwise — providing no dynamic pricing benefit to fans for dips in demand.”
Davenport said in a statement, “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation of FIFA’s conduct, and we are proud to stand together with Attorney General James in protecting our consumers.”
She added, “It’s an honor to host the World Cup, but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors.”
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill also weighed in.
"New Jersey is excited to host the World Cup and welcome fans from across the globe," Sherrill said in a statement. "But no one should be allowed to exploit New Jersey fans or those coming to our state. I applaud Attorneys General Davenport and James for standing up on behalf of consumers and investigating whether they have been misled."
New York City residents looking for a respite from skyrocketing ticket prices have been tantalized with the possibility of $50 tickets. The daily lottery for the first batch of tickets -- 1,000 bargain-rate tickets are being dispersed across seven matches -- sold out within three minutes on the first day.
Pou and Pallone called the initiative a FIFA “publicity stunt” used to draw attention to the otherwise exorbitant ticket prices.
“FIFA must respond to our inquiry on their questionable ticketing practices and take broader measures now, right now, to lower ticket prices for all the fans,” the two said in a May 21 joint statement. “Time is running very short for real action.”
This story was updated with additional comment.
