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An already expensive trip to the World Cup just got even more expensive when NJ Transit and the FIFA New York New Jersey Host Committee announced price increases to attend eight games at MetLife Stadium this year.
The East Rutherford, New Jersey, stadium will host those games beginning June 13 and ending with the final on July 19, but a round-trip train ticket to and from New York Penn Station and MetLife Stadium will be $150, up from the usual $12.90. Shuttle is also available for $80.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri defended the fare increases Friday, saying the ultimate cost to the public transit company should not be borne by New Jersey commuters.
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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)
“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. Equally important, she 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 chief executive said if the $12.90 regular fare was introduced, commuters would subsidize the $48 million bill by 92%.
“Nobody that I’ve talked to thinks that’s fair or reasonable. New Jersey commuters shouldn’t bear the cost years into the future for a wonderful event, no question. But the fans who go to the games should bear the cost, that’s all we’re trying to say,” Kolluri added.
Days after New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said FIFA should pay for the commuters’ costs, she did so again shortly after the price hikes were announced.
“New Jersey is ready and excited to host eight FIFA World Cup games this summer — including the World Cup final,” Sherrill began in a social media post Friday.
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 SAYS WALK-THROUGH IN NJ TRANSIT TO WC WILL HAVE ‘CUTTING EFFECT’ AGAIN RIPS NJ GOV SHERRILL
“Since taking office, my administration has worked to prepare for the largest sporting event our state has ever seen – and today NJ TRANSIT released their mobility plan to move 40,000 fans to and from each game safely and efficiently. In the FIFA World Cup agreement that my administration inherited, FIFA put zero dollars into transporting World Cup fans, which also put burdens on transporting World Cup Stadium. four times more game day riders than typical for an in-stadium event in NJ TRANSIT This deal will cost NJ TRANSIT at least $48 million, while FIFA is positioned to earn $11 billion during the World Cup.
“As I’ve said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it doesn’t, we won’t be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day.”
However, the price increases did not please FIFA. In a scathing statement to Pakinomist Digital, World Cup COO Heimo Schirgi said “the current pricing model will have a chilling effect,” including congestion, late arrivals and “broader spillovers that ultimately reduce the economic benefit and lasting legacy that the entire region can gain from hosting the World Cup.”
Schirgi also ripped Sherrill for her “unprecedented” request to have FIFA pay for the commuting costs.
“No other global event, concert or major sports organizer has faced such demand. Although FIFA is expected to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue, not profit as the governor falsely claims, FIFA has always been a non-profit organization according to our statutes. Revenue from the FIFA World Cup is reinvested in the development of the game of soccer, especially for women and girls,” Schwirgi said.
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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Parking has been blocked from MetLife Stadium and carpooling will be extremely limited, both of which will result in increased NJ Transit commutes.
New York Penn Station will also only be open to game guests beginning four hours before kickoff, and fans were encouraged to avoid non-essential NJ Transit travel on game days.
