New Jersey soccer fans headed to the 2026 World Cup by rail are looking at a ticket price that's more Champions League than commuter line. NJ Transit said a roundtrip between New York's Penn Station and MetLife Stadium will run $150, up from the usual $12.90. Agency chief Kris Kolluri said the steep fare is meant to cover the roughly $48 million cost of operating special World Cup trains, WABC reports, not to gouge riders. Otherwise, Gov. Mikie Sherrill said, New Jersey commuters could be stuck with a "tab for years to come," per the AP. Sherrill blames a deal with FIFA her administration inherited; FIFA argues the point.
Only fans with World Cup match tickets will be able to buy the rail tickets, which must be purchased in advance through NJ Transit's app starting May 13; they won't be sold at stations on game days, per WABC. Four hours before kickoff, service between Penn Station and Secaucus Junction will be restricted to ticket holders, with regular commuters rerouted for free via PATH and certain NJ Transit buses. Direct shuttle buses to MetLife will also run from Manhattan and New Jersey park-and-ride locations at $80 roundtrip, and general parking at the stadium will be off-limits on match days, with only limited premium parking at the nearby American Dream complex.
Other World Cup hosts, including Los Angeles and Philadelphia, have said they won't change fares for the event, the AP points out. Those places have noted that the federal government has provided some $100 million in transit grants for cities to enhance World Cup bus and rail service. Shuttle rides from locations around Kansas City to Arrowhead Stadium will cost $15 roundtrip, for instance. Houston said its fares to matches will hold at $1.25 for buses and light rail trains.
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