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Just days after NJ Transit reduced 2026 FIFA World Cup train fares following backlash, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced another cut.
Last week, round-trip tickets from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey were cut from the original cost of $150 to $105.
Now, Sherrill announced that tickets have dropped to $98 round trip before they go on sale Tuesday night.
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Gov. Mikie Sherrill, DN.J., narrowly carried Tom Kean Jr.’s battleground district in 2025. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
“Good news: Ahead of NJ TRANSIT World Cup train tickets going on sale tonight, @NJTRANSIT is dropping fares to $98 without New Jersey taxpayers’ money,” Sherrill wrote on X.
“Thank you to our partners – DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries and American Water – for helping make this possible.
“We are excited to host a world-class event this summer and showcase New Jersey on a global stage.”
NJ TRANSIT CUTS TRAIN FARES TO WC AFTER SETBACK, UNDER MORE MONETARY SUPPORT: REPORT
NJ Transit and the FIFA New York New Jersey host committee were hammered by the originally announced price of $150 for the return tickets. Their argument was that it would ultimately cost taxpayers if they did not have the abnormal price set for the influx of those coming to MetLife Stadium from New York City.
Then, NJ Transit announced last week that it was receiving financial support from “sponsors and other sources” to lower fares. Now we know those sponsors after Sherrill’s statement on social media.
Sherrill and FIFA came into play after the $150 prize also came out. The governor said FIFA should help pay for train tickets, while the governing body criticized Sherrill’s “unprecedented” plan, adding that the expensive train tickets would have a “chilling effect” on the fan experience.
Transit officials are preparing for an unprecedented number of riders during World Cup matches this summer. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“Governor Sherrill has been aware that FIFA should contribute to transporting its fans to World Cup games. Since that has not been the case, she has asked NJ Transit to look to private and non-taxpayer sources to significantly reduce the fare,” a spokesperson for Sherrill told The Athletic. “The governor appreciates all the companies that have already stepped up to lower costs for ticket holders. She will continue to ensure the World Cup is an experience that benefits fans and all New Jerseyans.”
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri defended the original price, saying the ultimate cost to the public transit company should not burden New Jersey commuters.
“It’s an exciting moment for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey’s diversity as well as its economic standing in the country and in the world. Just as importantly, (Sherrill) has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the game, because that would not be fair,” Kolluri said, reiterating that the tournament will cost NJ Transit $48 million.
“To move 40,000 people and pay for the $6 million cost (per game), we have to charge $150.”
The regular train fare from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium round trip is $12.90.
Commuters move through the NJ Transit section of Penn Station in New York City on May 20, 2025, after NJ Transit resumed operations following a tentative agreement to end a three-day strike by train engineers. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, parking has been banned at MetLife Stadium and carpooling will be limited, ultimately leading to a natural increase in NJ Transit commutes to World Cup games.
The first match at MetLife Stadium is on June 13 with a group stage match between Brazil and Morocco.
