> NJ Transit officially announces $150 round-trip rail fares to MetLife Stadium during World Cup, representing a 1,062% increase on the standard $12.90 fare

Fag tax. 

https://www.amny.com/sports/nj-transit- … l-tickets/

NJ Transit has officially announced that round-trip rail tickets to MetLife Stadium for World Cup games this summer will cost $150, representing a 1,062% increase on the standard $12.90 fare for the journey from Penn Station.

The transit agency has also announced that round-trip shuttle bus fares from both New York City and New Jersey will cost $80 for all eight World Cup matches at the East Rutherford venue. Shuttles will depart from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Midtown East near Grand Central in New York City, and from the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine in New Jersey.

NJ Transit will make 40,000 round-trip rail tickets available to World Cup ticket holders for the eight games, with a further 10,000 tickets available for the shuttle service. Rail tickets will only be made available to ticket holders and must be bought in advance of games at the stadium, NJ Transit said Friday.

Tickets do not include discounted rates for children, seniors or passengers with accessibility issues.

The move comes after long-term speculation that NJ Transit would raise prices above $100 for the journey between Penn Station and MetLife Stadium, which involves a changeover at Secaucus Junction.

Both NJ Transit and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill had pointed to an estimated cost of $48 million to ramp up capacity for World Cup transit this summer. Sherrill had frequently stated that she would not pass the cost of the infrastructure upgrade onto New Jersey taxpayers.

Sherrill, who entered office earlier in 2026, also criticized FIFA for not contributing toward World Cup operational or infrastructure costs despite reports that it would generate an estimated $11 billion from the upcoming tournament. Sherrill said she “inherited” an agreement that would see New Jersey shoulder the operational costs of hosting the tournament.

She reiterated that stance on Friday, aiming further criticism at FIFA for eliminating general parking at MetLife Stadium. A limited amount of premium parking is available at the nearby American Dream shopping mall, which is available at $225 per game.

“This agreement will cost NJ TRANSIT at least $48 million, while FIFA is positioned to make $11 billion during the World Cup,” Sherrill said on X, formerly Twitter. “As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. 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.”

NJ Transit President Kris Kolluri said the transit agency has been focused both on moving fans to and from MetLife Stadium and ensuring that everyday commuters still have access to the system.

NJ Transit will close its section of Penn Station to all non-World Cup ticket holders for four hours before all of the eight World Cup games at MetLife Stadium this summer. 

“While we are ready to deliver a seamless travel experience for those riding with us on match days, we have been equally focused on ensuring our everyday customers have a multitude of travel options if they rely on NJ Transit for essential travel during key time periods before and after the match,” Kolluri said in a statement.

Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey World Cup Host Committee, said the transit plan reflects “years of planning and coordination.”

“Our focus is on delivering a clear, reliable experience for matchgoers while minimizing disruption and helping residents navigate the increased demand the tournament will bring,” Lasry said in a statement. “We want to ensure the World Cup is an enjoyable experience across our entire region, while showing the world everything New York New Jersey has to offer.”

FIFA reacted with “surprise” after Sherrill’s comments earlier in the week, stating that World Cup host city agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches. FIFA then adjusted that agreement in 2023 so that host cities could deliver transportation “at cost” to match-going fans, a spokesperson told multiple publications during the week.

Heimo Schirgi, chief operating officer for the 2026 World Cup, alleged that the pricing structure would have a “chilling effect.” Schirgi further described the move as “unprecedented” and accused NJ Transit of “arbitrarily” setting elevated prices.

“Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup,” Schirgi said in a statement to amNewYork.

FIFA also said the World Cup would bring millions of fans to North America with a significant economic impact. The organization also pushed back against claims that it would generate $11 billion in profit and asserted that it is a non-profit organization.

“While FIFA is projected to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue, not profit, as the Governor incorrectly claims, FIFA has always been a not-for-profit organization as per our statutes,” Schirgi said in a statement. “Revenues from the FIFA World Cup are reinvested into developing the game of football, particularly for youth and women, worldwide.”

FIFA also pointed to several host cities that have not raised transportation costs for the tournament, including Houston, which is charging $1.25 one-way fares for World Cup transportation.

However, soccer’s governing body, which typically passes the majority of World Cup operational and infrastructure costs onto host nations, has been criticized by US elected officials over the issue.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer blasted FIFA on Tuesday, accusing the organization of orchestrating a “shakedown” of host cities.

“FIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer’s World Cup, yet New York area commuters and residents are being handed the bill,” Schumer said in a statement. “NJ Transit may be forced to charge fans an eye-popping $10o-plus for a train ride that normally costs $13, because FIFA’s hosting agreement dumps added transportation and security costs onto states and cities while FIFA keeps the revenue from tickets, broadcasting, and concessions.

Schumer called on FIFA to “step up” and cover transportation costs for host cities and states, adding that residents in the New York metropolitan area should not “subsidize an $11 billion windfall.”

This is not the first time a host state has announced a major hike in transit costs ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Last week, Massachusetts’ MBTA announced round-trip fares of $80 for trips between Boston and Foxborough Stadium, with tickets typically costing $20 for NFL games at the venue.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly stated that the upcoming World Cup will be the “most inclusive” tournament in history, but FIFA – and Infantino – have come under consistent criticism over the cost of match tickets at the tournament, with fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) estimating that an individual fan would pay an average of $8,000 to follow their country all the way to the World Cup final.

Meanwhile, a significant hike in transit costs marks a departure from recent major tournaments. At the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, ticket holders received free access to Doha’s metro system throughout the tournament, while ticket holders also had free access to public transport during the recent Euro 2024 championships in Germany.