This summer, commuters in the metropolitan area are being warned to brace for heavy traffic, especially during World Cup games set for June and July of 2026. Officials from New York and New Jersey are advising people to consider staying home on certain days.
New Jersey Transit has announced that only 40,000 round-trip tickets will be available for each game from Penn Station in Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. This limitation will put a strain on those looking to attend the matches.
Additionally, there’s a significant price increase for train fares; round-trip tickets will cost $150 instead of the usual $12.90, making travel quite expensive during the event.
“If you’re not going to a game, I highly recommend working from home if possible,” said Kathryn Garcia, Executive Director of the Port Authority. She noted the anticipated congestion and also suggested that rideshare options might not be the best choice during this period.
Garcia mentioned that there will be efforts to inform air travelers about illegal taxi services and emphasized the benefits of using public transport whenever feasible.
The warnings come as MetLife Stadium is expected to host numerous games, including the finals, which will attract large crowds. “Moving around during this time will be challenging,” Garcia commented.
The tension around travel is heightened by the anticipated influx of visitors during the World Cup events, particularly at Penn Station, which serves many commuters from New York City and its surroundings.
In an effort to manage the flow, access to the New Jersey Transit area of Penn Station will be restricted to ticketed World Cup attendees for four hours before and three hours after each game. This measure aims to control the crowd and ensure safety amid the expected chaos.
The World Cup schedule will also coincide with busy rush hours, especially on June 22nd and June 30th, further complicating the situation.
For those interested, here are the dates for the matches at MetLife Stadium:
- June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco (6 p.m. ET)
- June 16: France vs. Senegal (3 p.m. ET)
- June 22: Norway vs. Senegal (8 p.m. ET)
- June 25: Ecuador vs. Germany (4 p.m. ET)
- June 27: Panama vs. England (5 p.m. ET)
- June 30: Round of 32 (5 p.m. ET)
- July 5: Round of 16 (4 p.m. ET)
- July 19: FIFA World Cup Final (3:00 p.m. ET)
Parking will be unavailable for the general public on match days, as safety and crowd management are top priorities. Attendees are urged to use official transport options and to prepare in advance, following official recommendations to navigate the busy days ahead.
