Last updated: July 12, 2026
NJ Transit World Cup 2026: Complete Match-Day Guide
NJ Transit is the primary way to get from New York City to MetLife Stadium for the 2026 World Cup. Here is everything you need to know about the route, the special World Cup fares, timing, and what to expect on match day.
Key facts
$98 World Cup special ticket
$12.90 round trip
Penn Station, NYC
Secaucus Junction
~45–60 minutes
40,000 tickets
The route
From Penn Station, take any NJ Transit train to Secaucus Junction. On World Cup match days, a dedicated Meadowlands rail service runs from Secaucus Junction directly to the stadium. This connection runs frequently in the hours before kickoff and after the final whistle.
Allow 60–90 minutes from Midtown Manhattan to your seat, including the walk through Penn Station and the Secaucus transfer.
The $98 World Cup fare
NJ Transit is charging a special World Cup round-trip fare of $98 — compared to the normal $12.90 fare on the same route. The fare covers the full round-trip journey including the Meadowlands connection.
- Tickets must be purchased in advance at njtransit.com
- Only 40,000 tickets available per match — they will sell out
- Each ticket is tied to a specific boarding time
- Penn Station closes to general access 4 hours before kickoff — plan accordingly
Penn Station on match day
Penn Station will be heavily congested on World Cup match days. NJ Transit will restrict access to ticketed World Cup rail passengers only during the pre-match window. Follow NJ Transit signage to designated World Cup boarding areas.
- Arrive at Penn Station at least 90 minutes before your train
- Do not rely on buying tickets at the station on match day
- Know your boarding time — your ticket is time-specific
- Have your ticket ready on your phone before you enter the station
After the match
Post-match trains run frequently but will be crowded. Expect queues at Secaucus Junction. If you want to avoid the immediate post-match rush, plan to spend 45–60 minutes in the stadium after the final whistle before heading to the train.
Alternative: Official shuttle bus
The Official NYNJ Stadium Shuttle runs at $20 round trip from designated pick-up points in Manhattan and New Jersey. It has less capacity than rail but is significantly cheaper. See the shuttle bus guide for full details.
Useful links
- Penn Station World Cup guide
- How to get to MetLife Stadium
- MetLife Stadium guide
- Hotels near Penn Station
- NY/NJ match schedule
World Cup Tickets
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Hotels Near MetLife Stadium
Stay close to the action. Find hotels near MetLife Stadium for World Cup matches.
Experiences & Events
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