As the opening day of the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, New York and New Jersey officials have announced a significant reduction in round-trip transportation prices to cope with the massive influx of fans expected. The bus fare from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has been slashed from the original $80 to $20, a whopping 75% decrease.
Governor Hochu announced that the state government will allocate $6 million to subsidize this bus service, aiming to make attending the World Cup more affordable. Hochu stated on social media, “Getting to the stadium should be as convenient as possible. As New Yorkers have helped host this grand event, we will reserve 20% of bus tickets for local residents.”
To expand capacity, officials have implemented flexible transportation solutions:
– Capacity Increase: By introducing around 300 iconic yellow school buses, the number of bus seats on peak days has increased from 10,000 to 18,000.
– Operating Hours: On non-school days with matches, 18,000 seats will be available; on school days with matches, approximately 12,000 seats will be reserved.
– Boarding Locations: Buses will depart from three locations in Manhattan, including the Port Authority Bus Terminal, midtown east of Grand Central Station, and midtown north of Central Park.
For fans who have already paid the full $80 for bus tickets, the committee has promised to provide a refund for the price difference.
Recently, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also announced a reduction in World Cup special train ticket prices offered by NJ Transit. Initially, these tickets had skyrocketed from the regular $12.90 to $150, prompting widespread criticism. After adjustments, the train round-trip fare has been lowered to around $98 to $105 (a reduction of about 30%).
Unlike New York State, where taxpayer money is being used, in New Jersey, the reduction in prices is supported by sponsorships from companies like DoorDash, Audible, PSE & G, and American Water.
MetLife Stadium will host 8 matches during the World Cup, scheduled for June 13, 16, 22, 25, 27, 30, July 5, and July 19 (final).
While transportation costs have significantly decreased, ticket prices for the World Cup remain high. Currently, the cheapest game tickets on the Ticketmaster website still require around $2,300. For many fans who have already spent thousands of dollars on tickets, the reduction in transportation costs is undoubtedly a drop in the bucket, but better than nothing.