New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey’s AG launched an investigation Wednesday into FIFA’s ticket sales ahead of the World Cup that have sparked a “gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices,” officials said.
James and Jersey’s Jennifer Davenport announced the joint probe will focus on the numerous issues with the soccer federation’s ticket sales for the tourney, including reports of fans being misled about where their seats were and the sky-high prices.
New York Attorney General Tish James will be probing FIFA’s ticketing practices. Lev Radin/Shutterstock
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport will be probing FIFA’s ticket prices with Tish James. New Jersey's Office of the Attorney GeneralSeveral World Cup matches, including the final, are being hosted at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
France and Senegal at MetLife on June 16 has a starting price at $2,100 out of the remaining tickets still available while the cheapest ticket still available for the July 19 final is a cool $16,475.
The two attorneys general sent FIFA subpoenas Wednesday and are requesting information about ticket sales for the eight World Cup matches taking place in the Garden State starting next month.
“Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated,” said Davenport 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 – all at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans.”
The World Cup will occur in the United States from June 11 to July 19.
The two AG offices said the cost to watch some of soccer’s finest players this summer is far more expensive than past World Cups thanks to “variable pricing” that tinkers with prices based on demand.
The international governing body for soccer sold tickets in phases over several months, which led to a spike in prices, the two AG offices said.
Investigators are expected to comb over the ticket release schedule, public statements and other actions that might have led to a sharp rise in prices.
A portion of the World Cup will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Christopher Sadowski for NY Post“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.”
Earlier this month, FIFA tripled its price for the best available seat at the final on July 19 at MetLife to $32,970.
FIFA has previously defended the skyrocketing costs, arguing it was following market rates.
Attorney General Tish James will be probing FIFA for possible price gouging. The World Cup will be held next month. Lev Radin/Shutterstock“We are in a market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said this month, ESPN reported.
“In the US, it is permitted to resell tickets, as well, so if you were to sell tickets at the price, which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price.
“And as a matter of fact, even though some people are saying that the ticket prices we have are high, they still end up on the resale market at an even higher price, more than double of our price.”
The AG offices also said FIFA initially sold tickets for certain zones in the stadium, but fans are now reportedly being forced to sit elsewhere and farther from the field.
“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,” Davenport stated.
“It’s an honor to host the World Cup, but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors.”
