New Jersey transit agency confirms controversial $150 train, $80 bus tickets for World Cup matches | World Cup 2026
New Jersey’s transportation agency confirmed it will charge $150 for a round-trip ticket to World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium this summer.
The price of a round-trip ticket from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium is typically $12.90. Reports this week of an eleven-fold increase sparked an outcry from fans and sparked back-and-forth discussions between New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and FIFA over responsibility for the price hike.
NJ Transit and the New York/New Jersey Host Committee announced Friday their plans for operations during the World Cup, which begins June 11 and ends July 19. MetLife Stadium will host eight matches, including the final. The $150 ticket will be a flat rate price with no reduced options for children, seniors or people with disabilities.
Round-trip bus service is also offered for $80, with pickup at two locations in New York City and a park and ride facility in New Jersey.
In a social media post Thursday, Sherrill said it would cost the state $48 million to safely transport about 40,000 fans to and from each game, and framed the ticket increase as necessary to keep taxpayers from covering those costs.
“Our administration inherited an agreement where Fifa provides $0 for transportation to the World Cup. Zero. That leaves New Jersey Transit with $48 million to safely transport 40,000 fans to and from each game. At the same time, Fifa makes $11 billion from this World Cup and charges fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket to the final. I won’t put New Jersey commuters on that note for years, it’s not fair So here’s the bottom line: Fifa should pay for the rides, but if they don’t, I won’t let New Jersey commuters get screwed for one.
Fifa rejected Sherrill’s comments, saying transport issues had been discussed well before the World Cup.
“We are quite surprised by the New Jersey Governor’s approach today to fan transportation. The original 2026 FIFA World Cup Host City Agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches. Recognizing the financial strain this placed on host cities, Fifa in 2023 adjusted the hosting agreement requirements in all host cities as follows: all match ticket holders and Accredited persons will be able to access transport (public or additional planned) at cost to enable them to travel to the stadiums during match days,” Fifa said in a statement.
“FIFA has worked for years with host cities on transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities with transportation.”
NJ Transit also confirmed that no outbound service from Penn Station will be available to non-ticket holders for four hours before the start of MetLife games, a decision that could impact a wide range of regular commuters. Four of MetLife’s eight games will be played on weekdays.
Sherrill, a Democrat, was elected governor of New Jersey last year. Affordability was a key issue during her election campaign, and she has already announced the cancellation of the planned $5 million fan festival at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The funds will instead be used to host smaller watch parties and events across the state.
“New Jersey commuters definitely shouldn’t bear the costs for years to come for a wonderful event, but the fans who go to the games should bear the cost, and that’s all we’re trying to say,” NJ Transit General Manager Kris Kolluri said during a press briefing Friday (via Front Office Sports).
While parking opportunities are expected to be significantly reduced from their usual size at concerts and NFL games, ticket holders are encouraged to take public transportation to games in all 11 U.S. host cities. In its announcement, NJ Transit said there would be “no general spectator parking on [MetLife] Stadium ownership on match days”; Limited premium parking is listed as available for $225 at an ADA parking lot or at the American Dream complex, a 17-minute walk from the stadium.
The costs of these trips have been widely discussed, as have the exorbitant prices of match tickets. The Massachusetts Transportation Company raised its prices for trips from Boston to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough by $20 to $80.
Not all host cities followed the same approach. Kansas City earlier this week unveiled plans for $15 bus shuttles to Arrowhead Stadium for games, while the Philadelphia Transit Company said it would maintain its $2.90 fares for passengers going to Lincoln Financial Field.
