Ticketing Director - FIFA World Cup 2026

THE·TEAM operates at the epicenter of sports, music and entertainment, serving talent, brands and properties on a global scale. Our brands and properties division works with iconic brands and rights holders, supporting business growth through all marketing disciplines. We’re a trusted partner to every major league, team and venue, building meaningful connections between brands, properties and fans. Headquartered in Los Angeles, THE·TEAM’s presence spans 28 countries and more than 70 cities, including New York, London, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris and Sydney.

We are seeking an experienced Director – Ticket Management to oversee lead end-to-end ticketing operations and guest management for a major football hospitality programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Based in London, with travel to the United States required during the tournament, you will be responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of ticket management—from planning and allocation through to on-site delivery—while also leading the set-up, deployment, and ongoing management of a bespoke ticket and guest management system. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in one of the world’s biggest sporting events, working with global stakeholders, VIP clients, and internal teams to deliver a seamless guest experience.

Please note: the role can be considered as either a fixed term contract role until August 2026 or a Freelance position.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Leading all aspects of ticket management for the FIFA World Cup 2026 programme, ensuring tickets are accurately allocated, tracked, and distributed.
• Acting as the primary liaison between FIFA ticketing teams, commercial affiliates, and internal delivery units.
• Setting up and overseeing a robust ticket and guest management system, ensuring integration with hospitality, transport, and accreditation operations.
• Overseeing the planning, implementation, and management of ticketing allocations, fulfilment processes, on-site support at venues, and service levels for designated client groups.
• Acting as the primary client and stakeholder liaison on all matters relating to ticketing and guest access.
• Managing ticketing-related communications and queries across clients, partners, and guests.
• Collaborating closely with internal teams including Hospitality Operations, Security, Accreditation, and Guest Services.
• Managing stakeholder expectations and providing strategic advice to ensure ticketing operations align with client objectives and contractual obligations.
• Leading troubleshooting and contingency planning to address operational issues and ensure readiness for match days.
• Overseeing reporting, reconciliation, and audit processes for ticket inventory and usage.
• Providing regular reports and updates to clients and internal leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the main point of contact for allocated client groups, ensuring ticketing needs are understood and met.
• Set up and manage a secure, scalable ticket and guest management system (including vendor coordination and system configuration).
• Oversee ticket distribution strategies, operational readiness, and compliance with ticketing policies and systems.
• Own the guest data lifecycle—ensuring accuracy, privacy compliance, and real-time access control.
• Monitor ticket inventory, allocations, transfers, and usage with a strong focus on reporting and traceability.
• Coordinate closely with US-based venue teams for on-site ticketing operations and guest services.
• Manage cross-functional workstreams, ensuring timely execution of deliverables.
• Identify potential issues related to ticketing delivery and develop mitigation strategies.
• Analyze ticketing data, create performance dashboards, and contribute to post-event reporting and evaluation.
• Ensure all operations are compliant with FIFA policies, data protection regulations, and contractual commitments.
• Recruit, brief, and manage ticketing support staff as required for event delivery.

Skills and Experience You Need:

• Proven experience (7+ years) in account management, event operations, or ticketing for major international events—experience with sports tournaments is a strong advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of ticketing platforms, CRM systems, and digital ticket distribution technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-level stakeholders and complex operational delivery under tight timelines.
• Strong project management skills, including budgeting, planning, and team coordination.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate diverse cultural environments.
• Highly organised, solution-oriented, and capable of working under pressure in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Experience in managing third-party vendors and contractors is desirable.
• Fluency in English is essential; additional languages (particularly Spanish) are an asset.
• Availability for international travel and flexible working hours, including weekends and match days.