The furor over 2026 World Cup ticket prices raised a fascinating question: How did sports tickets get so expensive in the United States — all while remaining relatively modest in the UK, Europe & elsewhere? Spoke to economists, sports execs, etc. for answers @theathletic.com:

The Finalissima 2026 between Argentina 🇦🇷 and Spain 🇪🇸 is officially confirmed for Friday, March 27, 2026 at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar 🇶🇦.

Thank you, Edwin.

Cosmos unveil their new Capelli Sport designed jersey!

Thank you, Pete.

Just two passionate soccer fans talking about the World Cup Draw and their Spurs v Arsenal rivalry…one just happens to be Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani 👀

Chromeo

Overheard in the hall from FIFA people behind me: if a matchup in a group has two relatively lesser teams, and on that day there’s a choice of two stadiums to put it in (which there is in the group stage), it could be moved to the smaller of the two venues. We'll see tomorrow if that proves true.

Teams, Format & Schedule Set for 2026 Open Cup 👀» ussoc.cr/ghn #USOC2026 x @opencup.ussoccer.com x @ussoccer.com

Hamilton

3. FIFA doesn’t assign seats until closer to the tournament - so how the hell does any of these third-party seats know where you are sitting?! The answer is they don’t. You think you are buying front row seats but you will probably won’t get those.

FIFA has raised ticket prices for dozens of 2026 World Cup games, in some cases by more than 20%. Most upper-deck tickets to the World Cup final are now $5,055 or $3,450. Increases for two of three USMNT games. Details @theathletic.com:

World of Discovery, a sports travel company, has announced the date and location of the Finalissima between Spain and Argentina, to be held in Doha on March 28th, 2026.

2025 MLS NEXT PRO Cup!

Starting lineups of the MLS Next Pro Cup for New York Red Bulls II vs Colorado Rapids 2 on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. #NYRBII #RBNY #Rapids96 #MLSNP

MLS/MLS Next Pro Playoffs doubleheader! New York City FC vs Charlotte FC Round 1 at Yankee Stadium and New York Red Bulls II vs Philadelphia Union II Eastern Conference Final at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Starting lineups of the MLS Next Pro Eastern Conference Final for New York Red Bulls II vs Philadelphia Union II on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. #NYRBII #RBNY #DOOP #MLSNP

Introducing: Football Cities Starting with Mexico's World Cup host cities & hopefully continuing throughout the Americas & the world, I'm launching a video series offering soccer fans a practical guide to making the most of their travels in 2026 and beyond. youtu.be/5eEZvee5v8U?...

My misadventures in World Cup ticket-buying. This week's column @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/football/202...

New York Red Bulls Announce Sporting Leadership Transition

Lionel Messi just had the best season in MLS history. Does anyone really care? I wrote about it for The Guardian:

Fox announces that it will put 69 of next year's men's World Cup games on the big network and 35 on FS1. That is a record for free-to-air games both by quantity (obviously, with an expanded tournament) and percentage - 66%. Fox will also put the draw on the broadcast network in December.

Starting lineups on Decision Day for Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Lower.com Field. #Crew96 #RBNY #CLBvRBNY

Argentina are far too casual as they prepare to defend their World Cup title www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...

As a friend who was planning to go to the 2026 WC told me, "this settles it". He won't.

Welcome to hell! www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Mailbox: Event promoters say that the friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico for Oct 13 has been moved to Ft. Lauderdale for 10/14 No notice on socials or website from promoters or AFA. Tickets remain on sale at pretty astronomical prices on Ticketmaster's website

Starting lineups on Match Day 34 for New York Red Bulls vs FC Cincinnati on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. #RBNY #AllForCincy #RBNYvCIN

Data on shootings in NYC so far in 2025 is just out: Lowest on record for first nine months of any year in NYC history. Ever. Since modern reporting began in 1960s. Remind the world of this every time Trump says he is going to send the military into our streets to save us.

2026 WORLD CUP BALL! FIFA officially unveils the Adidas Trionda ball for the FIFA World Cup 2026 — and it represents all three host countries. It’s only four panels and compares to the Adidas Jabulani from South Africa 2010. A first look at an event here in Toronto.

Masquerade

Ticket prices for the USMNT's World Cup opener in LA: – Category 1: $2,735 – Category 2: $1,940 – Category 3: $1,120 Prices for the 2026 World Cup final: – Category 1: $6,730 – Category 2: $4,210 – Category 3: $2,790 More prices and info here @theathletic.com:

Starting lineups on Match Day 33 for New York Red Bulls vs New York City FC on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Sports Illustrated Stadium. #RBNY #NYCFC #RBNYvNYC

Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami vs New York City FC

According to Gastón Edul of TyC Sports, Argentina 🇦🇷 is set to play México 🇲🇽 in a friendly between the 1st and 9th of June, 2026 to be played in the USA 🇺🇸.

Boston Bruins vs New York Rangers (Preseason)

Garbage at Brooklyn Paramount

Starting lineups on Match Day 32 for Club de Foot Montréal vs New York Red Bulls on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Stade Saputo. #CFMTL #RBNY #MTLvRBNY

Wet Leg at Brooklyn Paramount

PHASE ONE: Of World Cup tickets draw ends on Friday at 11 a.m. ET - frontrow.soccer/qv778

Excellent information here:

Given the current discourse, one clarification I want to yell from the rooftops: - Broadcast licenses are issued to *broadcasters* - i.e. stations that have big antennae somewhere. TV stations, radio stations, etc. - TV Networks are *not necessarily* the ones doing the broadcasting.

Wet Leg @ Central Park Summer Stage

A 2026 World Cup ticket rule that FIFA hardly communicated has sparked confusion. There's a one-application-per-household limit. But what, exactly, constitutes a household? Spouses and roommates are wondering whether to delete entries. FIFA has *some* answers:

Starting lineups on Match Day 31 for Portland Timbers vs New York Red Bulls on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Providence Park. #RCTID #RBNY #PORvRBNY

Sparks at Kings Theatre

The first 2026 World Cup ticket lottery is open. Despite no urgency — no preference will be given to the earliest applicants, FIFA has said — fans are experiencing hour-long waits. And some, after waiting, are getting error messages. "Extraordinary" demand, FIFA spox says...

QEPD Éder Smic Valencia. #RBNY