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Since fans will have to pay $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 2026 FIFA World Cup Host Committee in New York and New Jersey and NJ Transit announced the plan Friday, with the price of getting to MetLife Stadium the hottest topic, along with parking bans at the stadium.
But Alex Lasry, executive director of the Host Committee, said the plan is “built with safety and accountability in mind.”
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Kris Kolluri, CEO of NJ Transit, and Alex Lasry, CEO of the 2026 FIFA World Cup New York and New Jersey Host Committee, speak during a news conference on the regional mobility plan for the World Cup in Newark, New Jersey, on April 17, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
“(We are) ensuring that every fan, worker and resident can move safely throughout the region during the tournament. This reflects years of planning and coordination between our transportation partners, and we are incredibly grateful for their collaboration,” Lasry said in a statement.
“Our focus is on providing a clear, reliable experience for game-goers, while minimizing disruption and helping residents cope with 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 games.
“Our administration inherited an agreement in which FIFA provides zero dollars for transportation to the World Cup: zero. That leaves New Jersey Transit with a $48 million bill to safely transport 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 a NJ Transit train before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final 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 RESPONDS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW JERSEY, MIKIE SHERRILL, FOR THE DEMAND TO PAY TRANSIT TICKETS FOR THE WORLD CUP
“I won’t be paying that bill to New Jersey travelers for years to come; that’s not fair. So here’s the bottom line: FIFA should pay for the trips, but if they don’t, I’m not going to let New Jersey travelers be taken for one.”
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 the related economic impact. Many fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight scheduled matches. FIFA is not aware of any other major events previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for transportation of fans,” he said.
The first game played at MetLife Stadium will be on June 13 and 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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In the “What fans should expect” section of their statement, NJ Transit and the Host Committee said that “travel will be different than a normal day” and those not attending games should avoid non-essential travel on game days. Some will have no choice, as service from New York’s Penn Station to New Jersey will stop on game days, beginning four hours before kickoff.
The World Cup begins June 12 in Los Angeles on FOX.
