NYC, NY politics live updates: Mamdani admits to dropping 4-figures on a Knicks standing room ticket when pressed by reporters

Famous former footballers joined Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Gov. Kathy Hochul and FIFA President Gianni Infantino Monday to announce New York City will host a massive, free watch party in Central Park for the World Cup final.

More than 50,000 lucky local soccer fanatics are expected for the July 19 event on Central Park’s Great Lawn, officials said at a news conference.

“The most iconic match of the most iconic tournament in the world deserves to be watched in the most iconic park in the world, with the most iconic skyline as its backdrop,” said Mamdani.

A total of 52,600 tickets will be up for grabs for the event, with about 20% of the spots reserved for local nonprofit organizations and “NYC service volunteers,” according to City Hall.

Remaining tickets will be distributed by Global Citizen through a lottery system.

“Individuals interested in attending can register here beginning Thursday, June 11 at 10 a.m. The lottery will remain open through July 16,” City Hall wrote in a press release.

Legendary former soccer stars were in attendance for the announcement — including African player and former Liberian President George Weah and Italian players Roberto Baggio and Christian “Bobo” Vieri.

“Everyone is present here today for this fantastic occasion in New York,” Infantino, the FIFA boss, said.

“Thank you to every citizen of New York for making New York what it is, for welcoming the world, and we all know that the world needs an occasion to come together to unite, that’s what the World Cup does,” he said.

The event will be made possible through a $6 million investment from Empire State Development, combined with $3.5 million in city dollars, and will feature on-air personalities Charlamagne tha God and Elvis Duran as emcees.

Mamdani touted the gratis nature of the party as he noted sports experiences have become increasingly unattainable for working people.

Standard tickets for the finals can set fans back several thousands of dollars.

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he bought his Knicks Game 3 tickets for “nearly $1,000” and that his seat for Monday night’s game at Madison Square Garden will be standing room only.

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Hizzoner revealed the price of his coveted NBA Finals tickets at an unrelated press conference as he geared up to cheer on New York’s hometown team against the San Antonio Spurs.

“That is something I purchased directly from Madison Square Garden,” he said, when pressed by reporters while making an announcement about the World Cup at Central Park.

His seat would be significantly under the current minimum $7,000 spend for standing-room tickets online.

The mayor previously said he would be attending the game with friends, and that he’d paid for his own ticket.

President Trump is also set to attend the game, and likely will be watching from a suite after getting an invite from Knicks owner Jim Dolan.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican running against incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the November election, said he’d be joining the president.

Mamdani said he didn’t plan to meet with Trump at the game, “however, I’m sure our conversations will continue.”

Insiders told The Post that MSG reserves a pool of tickets for local elected officials — and allows them to buy directly through the arena at a generously discounted price.

The seats are typically in a prime location near the lower levels, one source added.

Mamdani pulls in just under $260,000 a year as mayor.

Madison Square Garden revealed the lucky winners of the coveted celebrity-row courtside seats for Game 3 of the NBA Finals — a giveaway that raked in a whopping $1 million for New York City’s youth.

Two deep-pocketed Big Apple firms — Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LL and Veritas Capital — split the winning bid for the pair of hot-ticket seats as the New York Knicks return to the Garden Monday night for their first NBA Finals home showdown in more than 25 years against the San Antonio Spurs.

The record-setting payout will benefit MSG’s Garden of Dreams Foundation — the largest donation in the charity’s history, officials said.

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Bryant Park has been added as an extra Knicks watch party location for Monday night’s NBA Finals Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs, it was announced early Monday.

The addition was made after the NYPD and Secret Service axed the planned watch party outside Madison Square Garden due to heightened security requirements for President Trump’s planned attendance.

“These watch parties have become a celebration of New York City itself,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“From every borough and every neighborhood, this city has come together to cheer on the Knicks and share in a moment that belongs to all of us. That’s why we’re adding Bryant Park as an additional watch party location, so even more fans can be part of this incredible Knicks Finals run.”

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