World Cup Shuttle Bus to MetLife Stadium Drops to $20 Round-Trip After Fan Outcry
Governor Hochul commits $6 million in state funds to slash the original $80 fare and expand capacity to 18,000 seats per match. NJ Transit rail also cuts again — now $98. Tickets on sale now.
The most contentious logistics question surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches in New York and New Jersey has a new answer. Governor Kathy Hochul and the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee announced on Wednesday that the Official NYNJ Stadium Shuttle bus fare will be cut from $80 to $20 round-trip, with New York State committing $6 million to make it happen.
The price reduction — a 75 percent drop in a single announcement — comes after sustained pressure from fans, FIFA itself, and transit advocates who argued the original fare was disproportionately steep for a 30-mile round trip. The shuttle is the primary direct bus option for fans traveling from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
- Price: $20 round-trip (reduced from $80)
- Capacity: 18,000 seats on non-school match days; 12,000 on school match days
- NY State residents: 20% of tickets reserved exclusively for New York State residents
- NYC pickup points: Port Authority Bus Terminal · Midtown East (east of Grand Central) · Midtown North (west of Central Park)
- NJ park-and-ride: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
- Tickets on sale now: nynjfwc26.com — valid match ticket required to purchase
- Non-transferable: both shuttle and match tickets verified at boarding
- Already bought at $80? Automatic $60 refund — no action required
Capacity Expanded, School Buses Drafted In
Alongside the price cut, the Host Committee significantly expanded shuttle capacity. The original service was designed to move approximately 10,000 fans per match. That figure has grown to 18,000 seats for the five matches taking place outside of school days, and 12,000 for the three matches on school days. The additional capacity was made possible by securing school buses from Highland Electric Fleets with support from New York City School Bus Umbrella Services.
The expansion addresses a structural concern beyond affordability: even at a lower price point, a shuttle capped at 10,000 seats would leave tens of thousands of ticket holders without a guaranteed bus option on sold-out match days.
Where to Board: Three NYC Pickup Points
For fans departing from Manhattan, buses will operate from three locations: Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown West, a Midtown East pickup east of Grand Central Terminal, and a Midtown North pickup west of Central Park. The Host Committee has said that exact addresses for the two non-Port Authority locations will be communicated directly to ticketholders in the coming weeks. For fans driving from New Jersey, a park-and-ride service will operate from the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
Port Authority Bus Terminal is the best-connected of the three options for fans arriving via subway or the Long Island Rail Road. For full transit routing to each pickup point, see our guide to getting to MetLife Stadium from NYC.
New Yorkers Get Priority Access
A dedicated allocation of 20 percent of all shuttle tickets for each match will be reserved exclusively for New York State residents. The Host Committee has not yet published the verification process for that residency requirement; details are expected when the updated ticketing platform goes live at nynjfwc26.com. The remaining 80 percent of tickets are open to all match ticket holders.
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NJ Transit Rail Also Cuts Fares — Again
The shuttle announcement landed alongside a separate fare reduction for NJ Transit rail. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill confirmed that the round-trip train fare from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium will drop to $98 — the second reduction since the original $150 price was announced, which had already been trimmed to $105. Sherrill said the latest cut was achieved without New Jersey taxpayer money, citing corporate sponsors including DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries, and American Water.
For context: on a typical day, the 18-mile round trip from Penn Station to East Rutherford costs less than $13. Rail tickets, like shuttle tickets, must be purchased in advance and go on sale Wednesday at nynjfwc26.com.
The Pressure Behind the Price Cuts
The transportation pricing controversy had attracted attention well beyond the New York region. FIFA had previously warned that elevated transit fares could have a dampening effect on attendance, noting that other U.S. host cities — including Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston — kept their matchday fares unchanged. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri had defended the original prices at an April press conference, arguing that the agency was attempting to recoup operational costs rather than profit from captive fans.
Wednesday's dual announcements suggest that public pressure, combined with state-level financial intervention and corporate sponsorship, ultimately produced a different outcome than the agencies initially planned for.
What Match Ticket Holders Should Do Now
If you already bought a shuttle ticket at $80:
- A $60 refund will be applied automatically — no action required.
- Your existing ticket remains valid.
If you haven't bought a shuttle ticket yet:
- Tickets are on sale now at nynjfwc26.com.
- A valid FIFA World Cup 2026 match ticket is required to purchase transportation.
- Tickets are non-transferable and verified at boarding alongside your match ticket.
- Accessible shuttle options are available for guests with accessibility needs.
There is no general spectator parking at MetLife Stadium on match days, making the shuttle — alongside NJ Transit rail — one of the two most reliable options for most fans. For a full breakdown of all transportation options, see our complete guide to getting to MetLife Stadium. If you're still planning your trip, our where to stay guide covers hotel options across the region for all eight match dates.
Exact Midtown East and Midtown North pickup addresses will be confirmed to ticketholders in the coming weeks. This article will be updated when those details are released.