FIFA World Cup fans face transportation challenges and tailgating concerns
FIFA does not ban tailgating fans attending 2026 World Cup matches. However, getting to these venues is not easy.
FIFA and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill were embroiled in a war of words last week, with the prospect of $150 train tickets to World Cup matches and plans to close part of New York’s Penn Station angering residents.
The latest unrest began after reports surfaced on April 6 that a portion of Penn Station would be closed to New Jersey Transit commuters not attending the eight World Cup games at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for four hours before kickoff.
Additionally, New Jersey Transit announced that round-trip train tickets between Manhattan’s Penn Station and MetLife Stadium, where the FIFA World Cup final will be played, will cost $150 per person.
According to NJ Transit, round-trip fares on the same route typically cost $12.90.
Sherrill said in an April 17 press release that the price increase move was prompted by FIFA’s decision to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. The Democratic governor said the price increase occurred because FIFA did not agree to cover the cost of transporting fans.
“We strive to ensure that costs are shared fairly. As we have said many times, FIFA should pay for fan transportation. If it doesn’t, we’re not going to subsidize World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who use NJ TRANSIT every day,” Sherrill said.
Meanwhile, FIFA said the price increase would have a “chilling effect” on fans attending matches in New Jersey, and called Sherrill’s request for FIFA to cover fans’ travel costs “unprecedented.”
2026 FIFA World Cup Chief Operating Officer Heimo Silgi said in a statement to USA TODAY: “Increased fares will inevitably force fans to turn to alternative modes of transportation. This will increase concerns about congestion and late arrivals, create broader ramifications, and ultimately reduce the economic benefits and lasting legacy that hosting the World Cup would provide the entire region.”
How are other cities approaching World Cup transportation?
New Jersey isn’t the only state where transportation costs are a topic of discussion ahead of the World Cup. In Boston, a round-trip MBTA ticket from Boston South Station to Gillette Stadium is on sale for $80.
Special event trains to Foxboro for New England Patriots NFL games and New England Revolution MLS games typically cost $20 round trip, according to local news station CBS Boston.
Other cities haven’t seen the increases seen in New Jersey or Boston. In Atlanta, for example, MARTA rail fares in the city are $2.50 per ride, and children ride free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Kansas City is offering $15 round-trip shuttle rides to fans who park at the city’s four park-and-ride locations and to fans coming from the city’s FIFA Fan Festival. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is offering fans $3.50 round-trip train tickets on MetroTrain.
SEPTA in Philadelphia is also keeping fares low, with fans expected to pay a base fare of $2.90 for the Broad Street Line to Lincoln Financial Field, where six games will be played.
USA TODAY Network’s Katie Sobko NorthJersey.com contributed to this report.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
