NEW YORK — NJ Transit announced on April 17 that special event round-trip rail fares from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be $150. Eight World Cup matches, including the final, will be held at MetLife Stadium from June 11 to July 19.
The announced fare was higher than the standard $12.90 round-trip fare for the route. Private sponsors later reduced the match-day round-trip fare to $98. NJ Transit also reduced shuttle bus fares for attendees from $80 to $20; these shuttle buses will depart from Grand Central Terminal, Columbus Circle, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
New York Penn Station will suspend outbound New Jersey trains four hours before each match. The New York City Department of Transportation will convert 42nd Street between First and 12th Avenues into a bus-only corridor on match days. Cars will be prohibited on 42nd Street for six hours before and three hours after each match, with the window extended to nine hours before the July 19 final. Truck deliveries will be restricted in Manhattan between 30th and 60th streets for up to six hours before and three hours after matches.
New Jersey agreed in 2018 host city agreements to provide free transit for World Cup final spectators. A 2023 contract amendment changed this requirement to mandate at-cost transit pricing. Governor Mikie Sherrill stated that providing public transportation for the matches will cost the state $48 million. Sherrill said FIFA will not subsidize New Jersey's transit expenses.
"FIFA should pay for the rides. But if they don't, I'm not going to let New Jersey get taken for one." Sherrill said. She also stated that FIFA is projected to earn over $11 billion from the 2026 tournament. Mike Flynn, DOT Commissioner, said, "This plan will also help ensure the vast majority of ticketholders will be able to get to matches seamlessly by mass transit, without driving or adding excessive congestion to our streets."