FIFA, NJ Transit officials reveal World Cup costs to riders and commuters
Tickets will go on sale May 13 and cost $150 per person for a round-trip ticket. All match tickets are round trip, to and from MetLife and New York, and are non-refundable and non-transferable.
NJ Transit and FIFA officials held a briefing Friday in Newark to address NJ Transit's mobility plan ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Eight matches will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, including the final.
Tickets will go on sale May 13 and cost $150 per person for a round-trip ticket. All match tickets are round trip, to and from MetLife and New York, and are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, and only 40,000 will be sold.
The original cost of $62 million, for NJ Transit, was offset by a $10.7 million federal grant and a $3.6 million grant from the NYNJ Host Committee.
These matches are expected to draw about 1 million visitors to the region, according to FIFA. The demand for public transportation for each game is expected to be 78,000 spectators.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri expressed gratitude for federal participation in financing the operation. The federal government has given about $100 million to help build the Secaucus/Meadowlands transfer and a bus facility at MetLife, he said.
Kolluri also said the state has received a $3.6 million grant from FIFA to help cover various expenses.
The travel plan is a summary of what Kolluri described as about three years of planning.
Transportation options include rail, buses and rideshare. FIFA shuttles will run to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
Designated transit hubs will include Secaucus, Hoboken and Newark Penn Station.
NJ Transit is expected to ferry about 40,000 passengers per match, and an anticipated 10,000 spectators will take the stadium shuttle.
Within four hours of each match, transportation between New York Penn Station and Secaucus Junction will be limited to ticket holders. Trains from games will all go through Secaucus Junction after every match.
New York City fans will be required to use New York Penn Station to travel by train to the NYNJ Stadium for matches.
On June 22 and June 30, public transportation options for regular commuters and customers will be provided including discounts and cross-honoring. NJ Transit is urging people to avoid non-essential travel on matchdays where possible.
Weekly, monthly and flex-pass holders will also be given a discount for those two days.
NJ Transit discounts for regular riders will only be offered June 22 and 30. Discounts will be 20% off individual tickets, 3% off monthly passes, and 5% off for both weekly pass and flex-pass riders.
On the way to matches, ticket holders will be checked at NY Penn Station at 33rd St. between 7th Ave. and 8th Ave. and 32nd St. between 6th Ave. and 7th Ave. Fans will receive a wristband after their ticket is validated.
During matches, NJ Transit trains will run on their normal schedule across all lines.
Post-match, fans must leave by the same travel mode they used to arrive.
Fans using NJ Transit must have a wristband, validated FIFA World Cup ticket, and NJ Transit ticket to be allowed to ride.
Separate from NJ Transit, FIFA Stadium Shuttle tickets are available on the Host Committee website and can be purchased beginning today. Service begins four hours before, and goes for three hours after every match.
FIFA shuttle tickets are $80 per person and all tickets are round-trip, nonrefundable and nontransferable.
Private rideshare is available as what the host committee describes as a limited, supplemental option.
Rideshare users will have a footpath from the rideshare drop-off point to the stadium.
The drop-off and pick-up location for rideshare at the Meadowlands Racetrack property.
The total cost to the state is estimated to be $48 million or $6 million per match. No spectator parking will be allowed at MetLife. Stadium access will be limited to official transportation only and A World Cup ticket is required to use public transportation to and from the matches.
