Fans traveling from New York's Penn Station to MetLife Stadium could face a single‑ride fare exceeding $100 for the 2026 World Cup, a seven‑fold jump from the regular $12.90 return price, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill said on X. The governor blamed FIFA for the steep increase and urged the governing body to subsidise transport, noting that NJ Transit is left with a $48 million bill while FIFA stands to earn $11 billion from the tournament.
NY Transit plans to introduce a special‑event fare for the 30‑minute journey to the stadium, which will be renamed New York/New Jersey Stadium for the competition. No concession rates are slated, meaning children and seniors must also pay the full amount. The venue will host eight matches, including an England group‑stage game, and the final on 19 July.
The fare hike follows a similar surge for matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, where train tickets rose to $80 and coach tickets to $95. Sherrill emphasized that the existing agreement provides "$0 for transportation to the World Cup" from FIFA, and she will not allow New Jersey commuters to shoulder the cost.
BBC Sport reported that NY Transit will confirm the pricing on Friday. A FIFA spokesperson said the body was "surprised" by Sherrill's comments, asserting that supporters are expected to travel "at cost" and that there is no increased pricing for other major events at the venue. The spokesperson recalled that the 2018 Host City Agreements required free transport, but a 2023 amendment now permits transport "at cost" for ticket‑holding and accredited individuals.
The $100 ticket price is disproportionate to the modest $48 million transport bill faced by NJ Transit, highlighting a mismatch between FIFA's massive $11 billion revenue and the financial burden placed on local infrastructure.
By shifting from a free‑transport guarantee to an "at cost" model, FIFA effectively transfers risk to host cities, which may deter future bids from regions lacking deep pockets. The steep fare could also dampen attendance, especially among families and senior fans who now lack any concession.
For Nigerian supporters, the high cost may limit the ability to travel to New York for the final, pushing many to rely on televised coverage rather than experiencing the event live. This could affect viewership patterns and advertising revenue tied to the African market.
The next development to watch is NY Transit's official pricing announcement on Friday, which will indicate whether the $100 fare is final or if further negotiations with FIFA will produce a reduced rate.
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