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The basics:

• NJ Transit expected to carry ~40,000 fans per World Cup match
• MetLife Stadium will operate as NYNJ Stadium with no general parking
• Special rail fares and restricted Penn Station access under consideration
• State leaders say regular commuters will not subsidize event costs

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and as officials prepare to fully unveil the region’s transportation plan, a flurry of developments has arrived around what may be the most critical factor in determining success in the New York-New Jersey region: how to move tens of thousands of fans efficiently – and safely – to and from MetLife Stadium. Throughout the tournament the arena will operate as NYNJ Stadium (with signs already visible).

A heavy reliance on public transit sits at the center of the strategy. NJ Transit is expected to carry the bulk of the roughly 40,000 fans per match via rail service through Secaucus Junction and dedicated Meadowlands lines.

The approach reflects the reality that nearly all fans will need to arrive through managed transportation options. The stadium will not offer general parking. Instead, access will center on trains and buses, along with ride-shares, chartered services, and limited parking available at American Dream mall — making coordinated transit operations essential to the overall plan.

Transit plans taking shape

Details of how that system will function have started to come into focus through a series of recent reports.

During the tournament, the Bergen Record reported that portions of Penn Station will close to New Jersey-bound commuters for up to four hours before kickoff. The plan would restrict access to ticketed fans moving through a controlled, closed-loop system. Separately, The Athletic reported that special event rail fares for travel between New York and the stadium could exceed $100 round trip. The figure marks a significant increase from typical pricing.

Officials responded to the reports by stressing that fares and logistics remain unfinalized. They are expected to unveil the full World Cup mobility plan and transportation strategy April 17.

State leaders have been clear on one point: regular riders will not bear the cost. Even as the scale of the operation comes into sharper focus.

“You may have seen some recent headlines about transportation costs for World Cup games in New Jersey. So let me tell you exactly where things stand,” said Gov. Mikie Sherrill in an April 15 video message. “Our administration inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup — zero. That leaves New Jersey Transit with a $48 million bill to safely get 40,000 fans to and from every game.

Our administration inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup — zero.

That leaves New Jersey Transit with a $48 million bill to safely get 40,000 fans to and from every game.
—Gov. Mikie Sherrill

“At the same time, FIFA is making $11 billion off of this World Cup and charging fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket for the Final. I won’t stick New Jersey’s commuters with that tab for years to come. That’s not fair,” Sherrill continued. “Here’s the bottom line: FIFA should pay for the rides. But if they don’t, I’m not going to let New Jersey commuters get taken for one.”

We inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup.

And while NJ TRANSIT is stuck with a $48 million bill to safely get fans to and from games, FIFA is making $11 billion.

I’m not going to stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years… pic.twitter.com/pugU8davkW

— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) April 15, 2026

NJ Transit’s take

During the April 15 NJ Transit board meeting, President and CEO Kris Kolluri stressed the administration’s position.

“The governor has said in no uncertain terms that whatever the fare is going to be will not be cross-subsidized by our regular commuters,” said Kolluri. “That is an inviolate principle. I would think that every New Jersey Transit customer would stand behind it. It is a wonderful thing that FIFA is coming to New Jersey, but FIFA attendees should pay for FIFA travel. Not New Jersey customers and consumers who use our system every single day.”

“It is a very simple principle that we will stand behind. It is going to cost us $48 million – no small number, at least – to run these eight games. Make no mistake, we will charge the FIFA fans for those tickets and not subsidized by our customers. The governor has said it – we will conform to that,” said Kolluri. “I just want to be crystal clear.”

During that meeting, the NJ Transit board approved a resolution granting Kolluri expanded authority to oversee transportation planning and operations for the World Cup.

The measure allows him, in coordination with agency leadership and state officials, to set fares and take necessary actions to support service for the eight matches. That includes ensuring the costs associated with moving tens of thousands of fans do not pass on to regular riders. The move aims to streamline decision-making as the final mobility plan comes together. The authority remains in effect through the conclusion of the tournament.

Commuting clashes

The Meadowlands will host eight matches including several weekday game. Officials have identified June 22 and June 30 as the most disruptive due to their timing around peak commuting hours. Reported plans include offering discounts of up to 20% for certain riders on those days to help offset impacts.

To manage the surge, officials say additional PATH service, bus options and coordinated routing strategies are under development, along with security measures that will govern how fans enter and move. While many of the details still await finalization, the broader framework points to a tightly managed, transit-first approach designed to handle unprecedented volumes in a condensed timeframe.

Sherrill pointed to the scale and complexity of the undertaking while speaking on a radio call-in show the same day. She again emphasized the need to shield commuters from disruption and added costs.

“There are two days that I’m particularly concerned about, because the games fall right in some of our peak commuting hours,” Sherrill said during her first episode of “Ask Governor Sherrill” on WNYC. “At that time, we’re going to make sure we support extra services across the board. If you’re generally taking the one route that’s going now to be going into the stadium, we’ll have extra services on the PATH and bussing so that you can get home effectively and quickly.

“ … This is a huge event. I think we’re going to get a lot of returns on investment,” she continued. “We’re going to see a lot of small businesses with extra business, especially at a time when we’re feeling tightening of the economy.

“So, here’s an opportunity to really invest in the economy of New Jersey. But at the same time, when it comes to moving people into the game, at the FIFA World Cup – and FIFA intends to make about $11 billion on this. They need to defray this cost,” Sherrill again emphasized. “We’ve already reached out to them, saying – look, this is going to cost about $50 million to move people. And other than raising the ticket price to get on the train – which I will if that’s what it takes – because I’m not putting it on the back of New Jerseyans – the best possible outcome would really be for FIFA to take on this cost.”

FIFA responds

That position has drawn pushback from FIFA. The organization expressed surprise to Sherrill’s approach on fan transportation in a statement to NJBIZ.

“The original FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City Agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches,” said FIFA in a statement. “Recognizing the financial strain this placed on the host cities, back in 2023 FIFA adjusted the Host Agreement requirements across all host cities as follows: All Match Ticket holders and accredited individuals shall be able to access transport (public or additionally planned transport) at cost to allow travel to Stadiums on match days.”

Soccer’s governing body added it has worked for years with host cities on their transportation as well as mobility plans — including advocating for millions of dollars of federal funding to support host cities for transportation.

“The FIFA World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America along with the related economic impact,” the statement continued. “Many of these fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight matches scheduled, including the FIFA World Cup Final.

“FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation.”

Stay tuned

Sherrill also described the broader logistical challenge facing planners.

“This feels like a military operation from my days in the Navy, with the logistics that we are dealing with,” she explained. “This will probably be the largest amount of people that have ever been moved in our country in as short a period of time. So, we’re working incredibly hard to make sure that we do that safely and thoughtfully. [And] that, again, it doesn’t cost New Jersey taxpayers any money.

“For the most part, I think we can do this in a way that is not going to have a huge impact on the commute, because it will be outside of normal commuting times. There are the two games that I’m very focused on.”

Host Michael Hill asked Sherrill whether her predecessor Gov. Phil Murphy did enough planning and preparations for the event.

“There had been a lot of preparation and planning done, a lot of work on security, especially,” said Sherrill. “That’s a key piece of how we run a world event like this, so close to New York City. So, that focus had been done. There had been some transportation routes looked at. But I think really drilling down onto – OK, how quickly can the trains run? How much time is it going to take to move this many people?

“Which days are the actual events going to take place – and looking at the commuting days. All of these details are really coming into focus right now.”

The full regional mobility plan is slated for release Friday, with transportation at the center of how the World Cup will ultimately play out.

Please stay with NJBIZ for the very latest on this developing story.