New York, New Jersey cut World Cup transit fares to MetLife Stadium

Officials in New York and New Jersey on Wednesday reduced special-event public transit prices to the region’s 2026 FIFA World Cup venue. Round-trip New Jersey Transit rail tickets from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium will cost $98, down from $150, and New York’s shuttle bus fare will drop to $20 from $80. The changes come ahead of ticket sales and follow criticism of the initial pricing from fans and local stakeholders.

The tournament opens on June 11 and concludes with the final at the East Rutherford venue on July 19. Authorities said the revised fares were set before ticket sales to give fans clarity on total travel costs and to support crowd management plans around matchdays.

The $98 rail fare covers the 29-kilometer (18-mile) round trip from New York’s Penn Station and sits outside regular service pricing. Despite the cut, the event-day ticket remains well above the standard $13 round-trip cost on the route outside the tournament window. Officials said the updated rail pricing was finalized in response to fan pushback as World Cup train tickets were prepared to go on sale.

Host-city planners said the fare changes are intended to encourage the use of mass transit on matchdays, when significant crowds are expected. Organizers have rebranded MetLife Stadium as New Jersey New York Stadium for the duration of the World Cup. With the United States co-hosting alongside Mexico and Canada, agencies expect elevated regional travel demand around fixtures in the New York–New Jersey area.

Revised pricing and matchday services

Rail tickets cut to $98; shuttle bus now $20

Officials in both states said the rail and bus adjustments follow weeks of criticism that the earlier prices were too steep. New York officials said the $20 shuttle bus service will be available to fans traveling to and from matches at the venue. The revised pricing applies only on event days and is separate from regular commuter fares.

Agencies said the changes were timed ahead of ticket sales to provide clarity on total travel costs. Local authorities added that the mix of rail and bus options is designed to spread demand across modes and reduce congestion near the East Rutherford venue. Final timetables, crowd-management plans and on-sale details will be confirmed closer to matchdays in coordination with FIFA and the local host committee, officials said.

Costs, capacity and fan access

Transit agencies target cost recovery and crowd control

New Jersey Transit officials have projected $62 million in costs to move fans over the tournament period, noting that grants cover $14 million of that amount. Officials said special-event pricing aims to recoup operational costs tied to staffing, security and additional rail capacity needed on matchdays. Transit leaders have rejected accusations of price gouging, framing the surcharge as a way to avoid shifting World Cup-related expenses onto regular commuters.

New York state officials said 20 percent of shuttle bus tickets for each match will be reserved for New York residents, with the remainder available to all fans. Authorities said this allocation, together with the lower prices, is intended to promote public transport use while preserving access for local residents. Agencies are also assessing expected passenger loads to ensure rolling stock and staffing levels meet peak demand around high-profile fixtures.

Officials said they will update riders on any further adjustments as demand patterns become clearer during the tournament. Fans should monitor agency advisories for sale timelines, service frequencies and any operational changes on matchdays.