Bank of America, FIFA, and the veteran-ticket nonprofit Vet Tix have teamed up to put World Cup fever within reach of the people who serve. The partnership is distributing $2.25 million worth of free tickets - 4,547 of them - to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders who live in or near a FIFA World Cup 2026 host city, according to Bank of America's official announcement.
For a community that already knows what it means to show up for each other, this is a rare chance to trade the sidelines for a seat inside the stadium.
Who qualifies and how to sign up
Eligibility runs through two connected platforms. Honorably discharged veterans and currently serving military members register at Vet Tix, while current and retired first responders - police, fire, EMS, registered nurses, and 911 dispatchers - sign up through 1st Tix, Vet Tix's sister program for public-safety personnel, as reported by Police1. Both platforms are free to join, and eligibility is verified securely through ID.me. Once tickets for a nearby match go live, members receive an email alert to claim a seat before it's gone.
Every stage covered, with a nod to 2026
The giveaway spans matches from the group stage all the way through the final, across World Cup host cities in the U.S. As a tribute to America's 250th anniversary, 250 of the tickets are set aside specifically for U.S. Men's National Team matches, according to Vet Tix's pressroom.
It's a big swing for a program built on small ones: Vet Tix has spent years turning donated tickets from teams, artists, and companies into free nights out for military families who might not otherwise be able to afford them. This partnership is simply the largest version of that idea yet.
Community over competition
Whether it's a packed stadium or a crowded start line, the value of these programs isn't really about the event itself - it's about giving veterans, service members, and first responders a reason to get out, connect with people who understand their story, and feel like part of something bigger than the daily grind. That's the same principle behind Operation WarriorFit's military and first responder discounts and the free race entries we provide across the country.
If you're a veteran, active-duty service member, or first responder looking for your next way to get moving and get connected, check your eligibility for a free race entry - the World Cup isn't the only place worth showing up for this year.