As soccer fans prepare to attend World Cup matches in the U.S. this spring, they face not only soaring ticket prices but also significant transportation costs. For those traveling to MetLife Stadium from New York City, a round-trip train fare is expected to reach $150 for each game, transportation officials confirmed on Friday.
This fare is nearly 12 times higher than the typical price of $12.90 for the 9-mile journey from Penn Station in Manhattan to the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a trip that usually takes about 15 minutes.
High Demand Expected for Public Transport
Due to limited on-site parking availability, New Jersey officials anticipate that approximately 40,000 fans will rely on public transportation for each match. MetLife Stadium, the home field for the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, is set to host eight World Cup games, including the highly anticipated final on July 19. Group stage matches will commence on June 13, featuring soccer heavyweights like Brazil, France, Germany, and England.
Cost Recovery Measures Under Scrutiny
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill emphasized that the fare increase aims to ensure that local commuters are not burdened with transportation costs due to the World Cup’s return to the United States after a 32-year hiatus. The New Jersey Department of Transportation has projected that the cost of transporting fans to and from the stadium during the tournament will total $62 million, with only $14 million covered by outside grants.
New Jersey Transit President and CEO Chris Corulli defended the fare hike, stating, “This is not rate gouging. We are simply attempting to recover our costs.”
Expensive Alternatives in Other Host Cities
Transportation to World Cup events at stadiums outside Boston is also proving costly. Officials recently announced that express bus fares to Gillette Stadium, home to the NFL’s New England Patriots, will be set at $95. Additionally, thousands of fans have pre-purchased round-trip train tickets from Boston to a nearby commuter station for $80—four times the usual fare of $20. Unlike MetLife, Gillette Stadium is located in Foxborough, approximately 30 miles south of Boston, complicating access.
Municipal Efforts to Keep Fares Stable
Despite rising fares in some areas, other World Cup host cities have committed to maintaining their transit pricing. The U.S. government will contribute around $100 million in transportation grants to host cities to improve bus and rail services. In cities like Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, and Philadelphia, one-way fares remain relatively low, ranging from $1.25 to $2.90. Kansas City is also offering round-trip shuttle services to Arrowhead Stadium for just $15, along with free bus rides from the airport to downtown.
Concerns Over FIFA’s Financial Responsibilities
The governor noted that New Jersey inherited an agreement where FIFA would contribute “zero dollars in transportation costs,” leaving the state’s transportation agency with a $48 million bill. Governor Sherrill criticized FIFA, advocating for the organization to cover the transportation expenses for fans, to avoid placing undue hardship on New Jersey commuters who rely on NJ TRANSIT.
FIFA pushed back against this assertion, arguing that agreements made in 2018 stipulated free transportation for fans attending matches. The organization claimed that it has not been asked to cover transportation for prior large-scale events at MetLife Stadium.
Political Pushback from State Officials
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has also expressed opposition to the steep fare increase at MetLife. She articulated her concerns on social media, questioning the justification for charging over $100 for a relatively short train ride. News of the significant fare hike was first reported by The Athletic.
Additionally, shuttle buses capable of seating around 10,000 fans will operate from midtown Manhattan bus terminals for a round-trip fee of $80, while about 5,000 parking spaces at the nearby American Dream Mall are currently preselling for $225.
