The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just weeks away, and New York City residents have a rare, once-in-a-generation opportunity to attend a match at MetLife Stadium for just $50 — far below the standard market price. The key to unlocking that opportunity is Regnyctix, the official NYC World Cup ticket lottery portal. Here is a complete breakdown of what Regnyctix is, how it works, who is eligible, and what you need to do before the registration window closes.
What Is Regnyctix?
Regnyctix (regnyctix.com) is the official online portal created for New York City’s dedicated affordable World Cup ticket initiative. Launched by Mayor Zohran Mamdani on May 21, 2026, the program is the result of direct negotiations between the NYC Mayor’s Office and FIFA President Gianni Infantino to secure 1,000 tickets at just $50 each — exclusively for New York City residents. It is administered by FEVO, Inc. in partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Office and the New York/New Jersey 2026 World Cup Host Committee.
The name “Regnyctix” blends “Register,” “NYC,” and “Tix” (tickets) — a branded portal designed specifically for this initiative.
Why Is the Regnyctix World Cup Program Historic?
This program is unprecedented in World Cup history. Standard FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket prices start at around $120 for the most affordable category group-stage matches and can exceed $3,295 for semifinal seats, with the July 19 Final at MetLife Stadium originally priced even higher. At $50 per seat, the Regnyctix tickets represent the single most affordable mass-allocation in World Cup tournament history — roughly 58% below the official minimum price for general public tickets.
Mayor Mamdani, a Bronx-raised Arsenal supporter who attended the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, made ticket affordability a cornerstone of his campaign before taking office in January 2026. He publicly pushed FIFA on dynamic pricing and resale caps, and his direct advocacy with Infantino yielded this unprecedented concession. As he put it at a Harlem press conference: “A World Cup is coming to our backyard, and we want to ensure working-class New Yorkers have the opportunity to be part of it.”
How Does the Regnyctix Lottery Work?
The program distributes 1,000 tickets across seven selected matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Approximately 150 tickets are available per game. Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1 — Register Online Visit regnyctix.com during the registration window. Registration opened at 10:00 AM ET on Monday, May 25, 2026, and closes at midnight on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Step 2 — Enter Daily You can enter once per day. Daily entries are capped at 50,000, giving the lottery a maximum of 300,000 total entries over six days. Entering each day meaningfully increases your statistical chances of winning.
Step 3 — Wait for the Results Winners will be randomly selected and notified via email on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. If selected, you will have a 48-hour window to purchase up to two tickets at the fixed $50 price per seat — a maximum of $100 per household.
Step 4 — Prove Your Residency Winners must verify their New York City residency. Accepted documents include a state-issued photo ID, a recent utility bill, a school transcript, a lease or mortgage agreement, or a pay stub. Winners must also download the official FIFA World Cup 2026 mobile app to receive their tickets.
Step 5 — Pick Up Tickets in Person on Game Day To prevent scalping, physical tickets must be collected in person on the day of the match. Tickets are non-transferable.
Who Is Eligible?
The Regnyctix World Cup lottery is open to New York City residents aged 15 and older. Proof of residency in one of the five boroughs is required. Tickets are distributed evenly across all five boroughs to ensure fair access citywide.
New Yorkers who previously purchased tickets through FIFA.com’s standard lottery remain eligible for Regnyctix — there is no restriction on dual participation. However, employees of the City of New York’s Mayor’s Office, the NYC/NJ 2026 World Cup Host Committee, FEVO, FIFA, and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.
What Matches Are Included?
The 1,000 Regnyctix tickets are spread across seven MetLife Stadium fixtures — five group-stage games and two knockout-round matches. Notably, the July 19 World Cup Final is excluded from this program, as it carries premium pricing globally. The group-stage matches available include:
- Brazil vs. Morocco — June 13, 2026
- France vs. Senegal — June 16, 2026
- Norway vs. Senegal — June 22, 2026
- Ecuador vs. Germany — June 25, 2026
- Panama vs. England — June 27, 2026
Two knockout-round fixtures (Round of 32 and Round of 16) are also included in the allocation.
Free Round-Trip Transportation Included
One of the most valuable perks of the Regnyctix program is that winners receive complimentary round-trip bus transportation from designated New York City boarding hubs directly to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This removes a major logistical and financial barrier, making the total cost of attending a World Cup match genuinely $50 — not $50 plus transit, parking, and fees.
What Happened on Day One?
The demand for Regnyctix World Cup tickets was overwhelming. When the portal opened at 10:00 AM ET on May 25, 2026 — Memorial Day — the daily cap of 50,000 entries was reached within minutes, crashing or slowing the site for many users. Multiple NYC residents reported technical difficulties accessing regnyctix.com during the initial rush. The second day of registration saw similar enthusiasm, confirming the enormous public appetite for affordable World Cup access.
Could This Be a Blueprint for Other Cities?
As of late May 2026, no other U.S. World Cup host city — including Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Seattle, and Boston — has announced a comparable affordable ticket program. Other venues remain reliant on standard FIFA allocation and secondary market resales. New Jersey officials have voiced frustration that MetLife Stadium hosts matches, yet New Jersey residents receive no dedicated pricing concession.
Sports policy experts are already noting that the Regnyctix model could serve as a blueprint for future host cities, particularly regarding minimum-price ticket reservations for lower-income residents and public transportation coordination. Whether FIFA will agree to similar deals in future tournaments remains to be seen, but the NYC initiative has set a powerful precedent.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Lottery Registration Opens | May 25, 2026 (10:00 AM ET) |
| Lottery Registration Closes | May 30, 2026 (Midnight) |
| Winners Notified | June 3, 2026 |
| Purchase Window for Winners | 48 hours after notification |
| First Available Match | June 13, 2026 |
| Last Available Match | July 5, 2026 (Round of 16) |
| FIFA World Cup Final (not included) | July 19, 2026 |
Final Tips Before You Enter
If you are a New York City resident and haven’t registered yet, go to regnyctix.com right now. Enter every single day until midnight on May 30. Each daily entry counts independently and raises your odds. Gather your proof-of-residency documents in advance so you’re ready to claim your tickets quickly if you win — the 48-hour purchase window moves fast. And remember: registration itself is completely free. You only pay if you win and choose to buy tickets.
Have you entered the Regnyctix World Cup lottery? Drop a comment below and let us know which match you’re hoping to catch — and stay tuned as we update this page with winner notifications and game-day guides!