In the ongoing feud between the state government and FIFA, New Jersey blinked first.
After weeks of controversy over its $150 round-trip train fare to World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium, NJ Transit announced Thursday it will bring the price down to $105—a 30% reduction. The cut was made possible through corporate sponsorships and “non-taxpayer dollars,” according to a statement from the agency.
Audible Steps Up
Among the companies expected to chip in is Amazon’s Audible, which is headquartered in Newark. The full list of contributing sponsors will be released on May 13, when tickets go on sale. Prices could drop even further with additional funding from the private sector.
“Governor Sherrill has been clear that FIFA should contribute to transport its fans to World Cup games,” a Sherrill spokesperson said. “Since it hasn’t, she directed NJ Transit to seek private and non-taxpayer dollars to significantly reduce the fare.”
How We Got Here
The $150 fare set off a lengthy standoff between Governor Sherrill and FIFA, with Sherrill arguing that the organization—projected to generate $11 billion from this tournament—should bear the cost of transporting fans to games. FIFA fired back, warning of a “chilling effect” from high fares and increased congestion. FIFA refused to budge.
NJ Transit head Kris Kolluri had signaled early on that the fare could come down if sponsors stepped up to help cover costs. The governor’s directive was clear: reduce the price without a cent from New Jersey taxpayers.
For context, the usual round-trip cost from Penn Station to MetLife Stadium runs around $12. At $105, the World Cup fare is still the highest being charged by any host city.
A sizable chunk was taken off the price, but the sticker shock stands. The new price can still come down should additional private sponsors step up.