750+ Free World Cup Tickets Announced by Governor Sherrill and NYNJ Host Committee

New Jersey residents are getting access to 770 free tickets to 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.

Tickets to five group stage matches and two knockout round games will be distributed by the New York New Jersey Host Committee, CEO Alex Lasry announced Tuesday.

The host committee will distribute 500 tickets to residents including youth soccer players from "underserved communities," families of deployed National Guard members, Make-A-Wish patients at Hackensack Meridian Health and first responders helping with the World Cup.

An additional 200 tickets will be distributed to healthcare workers alongside pediatric patients and their families, according to the host committee.

The final 70 tickets will be distributed as part of a rewards program that encourages spending at local businesses.

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is set to host its first World Cup match on Saturday with a group stage game between Brazil and Morocco.

The rewards programs allow users to "check in" at participating businesses and fan events to earn points that can be redeemed for prizes.

The 500 tickets to New Jersey community members are being provided with support from Uber, while Hackensack Meridian Health is providing support for the 200 tickets to nurses and pediatric patients.

The group stage continues with France versus Senegal (June 16), Norway versus Senegal (June 22), Ecuador versus Germany (June 25) and Panama versus England (June 27).

MetLife is then hosting a Round of 32 game on June 30 and a Round of 16 match on July 5.

The tournament wraps up with World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife.

The announcement from the New York New Jersey Host Committee marks the latest of a series of local programs designed to provide World Cup access to residents.

Massachusetts governor Maura Healey announced Monday that 1,104 free tickets would be distributed to young fans with support from Airbnb through Boys & Girls Clubs and government and community organizations.

FIFA recently announced a partnership with Bank of America to provide 4,547 free tickets to military veterans, active service members and first responders living near where World Cup matches are being hostsed.

New York City recently held a sweepstakes for 1,000 residents to win a shot at $50 tickets with free round-trip transportation to the stadium.

The World Cup is set to kick off Thursday in Mexico with group stage matches featuring Mexico versus South Africa and South Korea versus Czechia. The United States plays its first game of the tournament Friday in Los Angeles.