Fans feel ‘gouged’ by £111 World Cup train tickets

The Football Supporters’ Association has expressed frustration over the steep cost of travel to World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium, where a 30-minute train ride from Manhattan’s Penn Station now exceeds $150 (£111). This marks an 11-fold surge compared to the standard $12.90 (£9.50) return fare. With no concession rates, even children and seniors face the same hefty price. Shuttle bus tickets, priced at $80 (£59), offer a slightly cheaper alternative, though both options are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Initially reported as $100 (£74), the fare was later raised by NJ Transit. MetLife Stadium, renamed New York/New Jersey Stadium under FIFA’s corporate sponsorship policy, will host eight matches, including an England group game and the final on 19 July. This follows similar increases in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where train fares for Gillette Stadium games jumped to $80 (£59), with coach tickets at $95 (£70).

Travel Costs Spark Discontent

Thomas Concannon, head of the FSA’s England fans’ group, told BBC Sport that fans are “incredibly disappointed” by the additional financial burden. “The price is obviously astronomical in terms of what you would expect to pay going to a match, going to a tournament,” he said. “This is completely out of the norm from previous tournaments.” Concannon added that the lack of concession rates means families and seniors are disproportionately affected, with no clarity on the cost of food, drinks, or tipping in local bars.

“You’re supposed to be welcoming fans from around the world. And I think at this stage, fans couldn’t feel less welcome.”

Contrast exists across host cities. Arlington offers free shuttles from Centerport Station, while Kansas charges $15 (£11) for a return bus. Philadelphia maintains the usual $2.90 (£2) fare for its six games. Concannon noted that as more high prices emerge, “this sort of stuff is starting to not surprise us,” calling it a pattern of fans being “fleeced” at every stage of the event.

Financial Commitments Under Scrutiny

Despite the U.S. pledging free travel in its FIFA host agreement, fans in New Jersey and Foxborough are now facing substantial charges. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill criticized FIFA for not covering the costs, vowing to “stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years to come.” FIFA defended its approach, stating it had already “recognised the financial strain” on host cities and argued travel should be offered “at cost.”

The high parking fees at stadiums further add to the burden, with MetLife charging $225 (£166) per space and Foxborough at $175 (£129). England fans, already navigating the cost of attending matches, have organized independent bus services to Foxborough from Boston and Providence. Scotland’s teams, meanwhile, face similar challenges in Foxborough and Miami, where details on transport remain unclear.