USWNT's Emma Hayes hails Zohran Mamdani's Gotham FC ticket initiative, continues prep for Women's World Cup
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- Emma Hayes spent a month traveling across the United States, attending NWSL matches and meeting soccer stakeholders as part of her USWNT World Cup preparation.
- Zohran Mamdani announced a $5 ticket promotion for 1,000 Gotham FC seats, which sold out in under an hour and helped the club reach an attendance of 11,038, its fourth‑highest regular‑season crowd.
- Emma Hayes praised the initiative, saying soccer should be accessible to everyone and that inclusive ticketing represents the sport’s future in the U.S.
- USWNT opened a training camp in Santa Clara, played three friendlies against Japan and recorded a 3‑0 win on April 17, marking a key milestone in the team’s World Cup buildup.
Why it matters: Low‑income fans gain affordable $5 seats, boosting Gotham FC’s attendance by 1,000 fans; the surge in diverse crowds expands the women’s soccer market and strengthens community support for the USWNT.
