The Local Girl 
New Jersey is weeks away from welcoming millions of soccer fans (or football, depending on where you’re from) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. There is a lot of preparation taking place, from planning fan festivals to figuring out how fans will get to and from the games. We’ve learned there will be no parking permitted at MetLife Stadium, so it looks like the best options will be taking public transportation or using rideshare services, like Uber or Lyft. Now it looks like commuters won’t be able to take NJ Transit for several hours on match days in an effort to get World Cup ticket holders safely to and from the stadium. Now we’re hearing those train tickets that typically cost $12 could run World Cup fans close to $100 just to get to East Rutherford. Here’s what we learned about the state of NJ Transit and its public transportation plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
New York Penn Station NJ Transit Closures
It’s looking like commuting during World Cup match days will be more than just a regular headache. New York Penn Station will reportedly close to commuters for four hours on match days to allow World Cup ticket holders to travel to and from MetLife Stadium.
According to documents obtained by NorthJersey.com, World Cup ticket holders will have their tickets checked at entrances on 33rd Street and 32nd Street along Seventh Avenue. NJ Transit commuters will not be able to access Jersey-bound trains at Penn Station for four hours before the World Cup matches are scheduled to start at MetLife. After the match ends, the trains will arrive empty at Secaucus and be fully dedicated to World Cup spectators leaving the match. Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road commuters will be directed to other entrances, according to the documents.
Match days at MetLife Stadium are scheduled for June 13, 16, 22, 25, and July 5 and 19. Because some of these games are during the week, this plan would mean NJ Transit commuters would not be able to access Penn Station for the entire evening rush, from 4PM to 8PM.
The Hoboken Girl reached out to NJ Transit to confirm these plans and see what the transportation organization is doing for commuters during this scheduled shutdown. NJ Transit told HG on April 6th, 2026, “The mobility plan is still being finalized and will be announced later this month. NJ TRANSIT remains committed to safely transporting 40,000 fans to and from the FIFA matches, while also providing a transportation plan that will minimize the impacts to our regular riders to the greatest extent possible.”
Local lawmakers are also slamming the released plans, calling for transparency from NJ Transit and the New Jersey-New York World Cup Host Committee.
“It’s hard enough to commute into the city on a normal day. Now we’re finding out that NJ Transit riders are going to be locked out of Penn Station during rush hour so FIFA can have the trains to themselves,” said Assemblywoman Katie Brennan in a statement. “It’s not clear how people are supposed to get home from work or if there’s any sort of contingency plans in place. Riders deserve answers right now.”
“This will be a huge disruption for more than a hundred thousand NJ Transit riders,” said Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla in a statement. “The World Cup is only two months away. There’s been no public discussion about this or even a formal announcement. We need transparency and a real, detailed plan from NJ Transit and the Host Committee.”
During a budget hearing on April 9th, 2026, the NJ Transit President and CEO, Kris Kolluri, testified before the State Senate about budgetary needs for NJ Transit. During this hearing, he was questioned about the Penn Station shutdown plans.
“The eight FIFA games that we are going to conduct at MetLife Stadium is arguably the most important security event we’re ever going to see in the nation,” Kris said. “Not just because the President of the United States is going to be there, but something like 14 dignitaries or heads of state will be there. We have essentially three security perimeters that establish the route for somebody with a FIFA ticket to take from New York. New Jersey Transit is obligated to move 40,000 people per game, 28,000 of those will come from New York, and almost all will come through Penn Station.”
The three security perimeters he mentioned are New York Penn Station, Secaucus Junction, and MetLife Stadium. During the World Cup, there will be increased security checks at these NJ Transit stations instead of the usual walking right onto the train.
Kris says he’s aware people are concerned the shutdown will impact peak hours for commuters during the work week. He clarified that out of the four weekday World Cup matches, three of those matches will require shutdowns during non-peak hours. Those games are scheduled for June 16th, June 25th, and June 30th. One match scheduled for Monday, June 22nd, at 8PM will require a temporary shutdown during peak commuting hours. Kris says NJ Transit is working with Amtrak and New York City to make sure commuters get home in a safe, timely, and secure way.
The full NJ Transit mobility plan for the World Cup is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Excuse Me, How Much Are Tickets?
Since World Cup ticket holders can’t park at MetLife Stadium – excuse us –New York New Jersey Stadium for the games, they’re being told to utilize rideshare apps and public transportation. Hence, the increased demand on NJ Transit to transport people safely to and from the eight matches in East Rutherford. Now, World Cup fans should expect to shell out more money to enjoy the international matches this summer.
A new report from The Athletic says NJ Transit return rail tickets will be close to $100 from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium for the World Cup games. The 18-mile journey, typically including a stop at Secaucus Junction, usually costs $12.90. NJ Transit has not yet commented on this reported huge increase in price.
Governor Mikie Sherill spoke on the recent NJ Transit struggles ahead of the World Cup in an Instagram Reel. In the April 15th post’s caption, the Governor writes, “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 to come.”
The Governor says FIFA should be the one paying for the rides to and from the games. Yet, during her weekly radio call-in show on WNYC, she said she would approve the fare increase if FIFA doesn’t intervene. “I will, if that’s what it takes, because I’m not putting it on the back of New Jerseyans,” she said during her show.
On Wednesday, April 15th, the NJ Transit board reportedly approved a resolution allowing chief executive Kris Kolluri to set World Cup rail fares at levels sufficient to “cover any and all costs” associated with transportation to the World Cup.
“The governor said whatever the fare will be, it will not be cross-subsidized by our regular commuters,” Kris told NJ.com. “I’d think every NJ Transit customer would stand behind that. It will cost us $48m. We will charge FIFA fans for those tickets, and it will not be subsidized by our commuters.”
On April 17th, NJ Transit shared its plan at a press conference. The Regional Stadium Mobility Plan is designed to move more than 78,000 spectators per match using a coordinated network of stadium shuttle buses, rail service, rideshare, permitted vehicles, and limited premium parking at American Dream across the eight New York New Jersey matches. Round-trip rail fare will cost $150, and the plan highlighted other restrictions and requirements for riders, such as having passes to the matches.
Governor Sherrill responded with a statement criticizing the event organizers for pushing the financial and logistical burden of the effort onto taxpayers. “In the agreement that my Administration inherited, FIFA put zero dollars towards transporting World Cup fans. In addition, it eliminated parking at MetLife Stadium, putting the burden of transporting four times more matchday riders than typical for an event at the stadium on NJ TRANSIT. On top of extensive logistical considerations to ensure transportation is safe and efficient throughout the tournament – for regular commuters and FIFA ticket holders alike – this agreement will cost NJ TRANSIT at least $48 million, while FIFA is positioned to make $11 billion during the World Cup.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. 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.
“I have also directed NJ TRANSIT to provide discounts for riders impacted by service changes on Monday, June 22nd and Tuesday, June 30th, the two dates that overlap with peak commuting hours. My Administration is also coordinating closely with PATH to cross-honor tickets and provide additional service to keep people moving during this busy time.”
What About the PATH?
Locals who utilize the PATH during their commute can expect services to continue, but should expect an increase in demand. PATH services will remain open to all riders during the games, and there are talks to increase service during match days.
“We are working closely with the states of New York and New Jersey, the City of New York, the host committee, and our regional and Federal partners to support a safe, efficient, and seamless experience for fans, visitors, and residents,” Seth Stein, a spokesperson for PANYNJ, told HG. “Planning is ongoing, and we are preparing for increased demand across our facilities as part of this coordinated regional effort. Specific operational plans, costs, and funding arrangements are still being finalized in coordination with our partners.”
Any Other Advice?
When the Portal Bridge was under construction in February 2026, it caused a lot of disruptions for commuters traveling from New Jersey to New York. Trains that were supposed to go to New York Penn Station were rerouted to Hoboken, and commuters were told their tickets would be cross-honored at the Hoboken PATH Station as well as NJ Transit bus stops.
The reroute understandably caused a lot of congestion for commuters. When the adjusted schedules were announced, NJ Transit advised commuters to try to work from home as much as possible to avoid the chaotic commutes. They have yet to issue a similar advisory for the World Cup schedule, but the trend seems to be asking your boss if working from home is an option.
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