World Cup 2026: Record Train Fares Shock Fans in New Jersey

Fans attending World Cup 2026 matches in the U.S. may face transportation costs that exceed regular fares by over tenfold. Disputes have emerged between local authorities and FIFA leadership over the surge in prices, with supporters expressing frustration over the financial burden. A round-trip ticket to MetLife Stadium from New York City will cost $150 (€127), as revealed by regional transit officials. This fare is nearly twelve times the typical $12.90 rate for the 15-minute journey from Penn Station to the East Rutherford venue.

NJ Transit’s Justification

Kris Kolluri, president and CEO of NJ Transit, stated, “We are going to charge $150 for our roundtrip ticket on our system. So from New York to MetLife, MetLife back to New York.” The agency plans to allocate $62 million for transporting fans to and from the stadium during the tournament. However, only $14 million of this funding has been secured through external grants, prompting a fare adjustment to bridge the gap. “This isn’t price gouging,” Kolluri clarified. “We’re literally trying to recoup our costs.”

Parking Costs Exceed Ticket Prices

Traveling by car to the stadium will also incur steep expenses. Just Park reports that parking at MetLife Stadium for fans with disabilities is priced at $225 per space, with additional options available at a nearby mall. Governor Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey defended NJ Transit’s policies on X, asserting that “FIFA put zero dollars towards transporting World Cup fans.” She warned that without FIFA’s support, New Jersey residents would bear the brunt of subsidizing the event’s costs. “If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day,” she added.

FIFA’s Response and Regional Variations

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also called for FIFA to cover transport expenses, echoing Sherrill’s concerns. FIFA’s chief operating officer, Heimo Schirgi, dismissed the pricing as “unprecedented,” arguing that other U.S. host cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston are maintaining standard transit rates. Boston stands out as an exception, with express buses to Gillette Stadium set at $95. The MetLife Stadium will host eight matches, including the July 19 final, featuring teams from Brazil, France, Germany, and England.

Fan Outcry Over Costs

Reactions from fan groups have been swift and critical. A French organization, “Irresistibles Francais,” labeled the train ticket pricing “completely insane.” Guillaume Aupretre, their spokesperson, remarked, “Every day there’s bad news about transportation. You really have to wonder how far this madness is going to go.” Similarly, England’s Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) chief Thomas Concannon told the BBC, “Every single thing coming out of this tournament so far is just fans getting fleeced.” He added, “The price is obviously astronomical in terms of what you would expect to pay going to a match. We weren’t expecting to be gouged.”