Getting to a World Cup match at MetLife Stadium this summer could cost you more than you think. And that’s not even counting a ticket to the game.
NJ Transit is allegedly preparing to charge more than $100 for a round-trip ticket from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium—which will temporarily be renamed New York New Jersey Stadium—for each of the eight World Cup matches scheduled at the East Rutherford venue, according to Bloomberg.
The typical fare for that 18-mile trip? $12.90. That means a 775% price hike.
The new ticket price would also apply across the board, including for seniors, children, and disabled passengers who normally receive discounted fares.
What NJ Transit Is Saying
NJ Transit has not officially confirmed the $100 figure. A spokesperson said ticket prices for match day travel have not been finalized, while noting that the cost of running World Cup service—estimated at approximately $48 million across eight matches—will not be passed on to regular commuters.
“As the Governor has clearly stated, the cost for the eight matches will not be borne by our regular commuters,” the spokesperson said.
Governor Mikie Sherrill echoed that position at a press conference Monday: “We are not going to be paying for moving the people who are viewing the World Cup on the back of New Jersey taxpayers and New Jersey commuters.”
The reported price is already higher than the $80 round-trip fare being charged by Boston’s MBTA for World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium.
A final pricing decision is expected in the coming days.
What to Know Before You Go
For context, parking at MetLife will be significantly reduced on match days, making train travel essentially the only practical option for a majority of fans. Access to Penn Station will also be restricted to World Cup ticket holders for four hours before each match. Regular commuters will be redirected during those windows.
The World Cup comes to New Jersey this summer. Getting there, it seems, won’t be cheap.
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