World Cup 2026: NJ Transit and Bus Fares to MetLife Stadium Reduced

Public transportation costs for fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium have been reduced following announcements from the governors of New York and New Jersey.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced on May 12, 2026, that the price of a round-trip NJ Transit train ticket to the stadium will be reduced to $98. This latest price drop follows an initial announcement of $150 and a subsequent reduction to $105 a few weeks prior.

Simultaneously, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the cost of a bus ride to the stadium would be reduced from $80 to $20.

Funding and Cost Disputes

The pricing adjustments come as NJ Transit manages nearly $50 million in added costs associated with the tournament. According to a spokesperson for Governor Sherrill’s office, FIFA refused to contribute funds to provide more affordable public transit options. In response, the governor instructed NJ Transit to seek private and non-taxpayer dollars to help lower the fares.

State officials indicated in March 2026 that the initial upcharges for trains were necessary to offset the transit agency’s operational expenses for the event. During a press conference in April 2026, NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri addressed concerns regarding the high costs.

“This isn’t price gouging,” Kolluri told reporters. “We’re literally trying to recoup our costs.”

Kris Kolluri, NJ Transit President and CEO

Ticket Availability and Capacity

Round-trip tickets become available on May 13, 2026, and are sold exclusively through the NJ Transit mobile app. These tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. To purchase them, users must be ticket holders for the matches.

NJ Transit expects to transport more than 78,000 spectators for each match at the venue, which will be temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the duration of the tournament to comply with FIFA rules regarding corporate sponsorship. The agency will make 40,000 round-trip tickets available each match day; these will not be sold at station vending machines or ticket offices on the day of the event.

Transit Logistics and Hubs

Transit routing will vary based on the passenger’s point of origin:

• New York City Rail: All fans traveling from New York City by train must board at Penn Station.
• New Jersey Rail: Passengers from other areas of New Jersey will be directed to Hoboken Terminal or Secaucus Junction, where they can purchase tickets for specific time periods.
• Bus Services: Bus transport will operate from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and a Midtown East shuttle pick-up located east of Grand Central in New York City.
• New Jersey Bus: A park-and-ride shuttle service will operate from the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

For those avoiding public transit, NJ Transit stated there is no general parking available on stadium property during match days. Limited premium parking will be offered at the American Dream Mall via advance purchase. Rideshare services will be managed to reduce congestion and will operate through a designated drop-off point at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment.

Impacts on New York Penn Station

Non-game travelers should expect significant disruptions at New York Penn Station. NJ Transit will implement a diversion plan where some trains scheduled around match arrival and departure windows will be adjusted or temporarily diverted.

Starting four hours before kickoff, there will be no outbound rail service from Penn Station for commuters. While inbound trains will operate normally during this window, the post-match period will see further changes. For three hours following each match, rail service to New York Penn Station on the Raritan Valley Line, North Jersey Coast Line, and the Northeast Corridor will terminate at Newark Penn Station, requiring passengers to transfer to PATH trains to reach New York City.

Commuters with rail tickets may transfer to NJ Transit buses at Port Authority or PATH trains at 33rd Street at no additional cost. Local governments and the transit agency have advised the public to avoid non-essential travel on match days.

Comparison with Other Host Cities

The cost of transportation has been a point of contention across several U.S. Host cities. In Boston, round-trip bus tickets are priced at $95, while the special express train service to Foxboro costs $80. In contrast, Los Angeles has revealed a plan to charge fans $3.50 round trip.

FIFA has noted that cities such as Houston and Atlanta are keeping their fares unchanged. Similarly, a spokesperson for SEPTA in Philadelphia confirmed there would be no fare increases for World Cup games, stating that most added operating costs would be covered by a federal grant.

Tournament Schedule

MetLife Stadium is scheduled to host eight World Cup matches between June 13 and July 19, 2026. The group stage, featuring teams such as England, Germany, France, and Brazil, begins on June 13, culminating in the FIFA World Cup 26 Final on July 19.