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With fans potentially paying $150 to travel to World Cup games at MetLife Stadium this summer, FIFA believes NJ Transit’s “Regional Stadium Mobility Plan” will be a success.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee and NJ Transit announced the plan Friday, with the price of getting to MetLife Stadium the hot topic, along with banning parking at the stadium.
But Alex Lasry, executive director of the host committee, said the plan is “built with safety and responsibility at the center.”
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NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri and Alex Lasry, CEO of the 2026 FIFA World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee, speak during a press briefing on the regional mobility plan for the World Cup in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
“(We’re) ensuring that every fan, worker and resident can move throughout the region safely during the tournament. It reflects years of planning and coordination across our transportation partners, and we’re incredibly grateful for their cooperation,” Lasry said in a release.
“Our focus is on delivering a clear, reliable game-goer experience while minimizing disruption and helping residents navigate the increased demand the tournament will bring. We want to ensure the World Cup is an enjoyable experience throughout our region while showing the world all that New York New Jersey has to offer.”
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and FIFA traded blows over ticket prices, with Sherrill imploring FIFA to pay for fans to attend the matches.
“Our administration inherited a deal where FIFA provides $0 for transportation to the World Cup — zero. That leaves New Jersey Transit with a $48 million bill to safely get 40,000 fans to and from each game,” Sherrill said in a video. “At the same time, FIFA is making $11 billion from this World Cup and charging fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket to the final.”
A general view of MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Train Station is seen from an NJ Transit train before the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semifinal match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 9, 2025. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
FIFA FIGHTS BACK AGAINST NEW JERSEY GOV MIKIE SHERRILL OVER DEMAND TO PAY FOR TRANSIT TICKETS TO WORLD CUP
“I’m not going to stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years to come — it’s not fair. So here’s the bottom line: FIFA needs to pay for the rides, but if they don’t, I’m not going to let New Jersey commuters get caught.”
FIFA said it was “quite surprised” by Sherrill’s unprecedented “approach”.
“The FIFA World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America, along with related economic impacts. Many fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight scheduled matches. FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where the organizers had to pay for fan transportation,” it said.
The first game played at MetLife Stadium will be on June 13, and it will host eight games, including the final on July 19.
A Meadowlands sign is displayed at the Secaucus Junction station in Secaucus, New Jersey on April 17, 2026. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Under the “What Fans Should Expect” section of its release, NJ Transit and the host committee said “travel will look different than a typical day” and those not attending games should avoid non-essential travel on game days. Some won’t have a choice, as the route from New York Penn Station to New Jersey will be halted on game days beginning four hours before game time.
The World Cup begins June 12 in Los Angeles on FOX.
