New Jersey Transit has announced a special $150 round-trip train fare for fans travelling to FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium this summer, a dramatic increase from the standard $12.90 fare for the same journey. The fare for stadium bus shuttle services has been set at $80 per round-trip.
The price hike, announced on Friday, applies to the eight matches the stadium will host, including the final on 19 July. Officials stated that only 40,000 advance-purchase train tickets will be sold per match day for the stadium, which is expected to draw over 78,000 spectators per game.
Officials Defend Pricing as Cost Recovery
NJ Transit president and CEO Kris Kolluri defended the decision during a press briefing, stating, "This isn't price gouging. We're literally trying to recoup our costs." The transit agency faces an estimated $48 million bill to provide transport services for the tournament.
The stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is largely inaccessible by car for the event, as most on-site parking will be unavailable, forcing the vast majority of fans to rely on public transit.
Political Leaders Criticise FIFA's Role
The fare increase has prompted criticism from political leaders in both New York and New Jersey. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill placed blame squarely on FIFA, the tournament's organising body.
"We have inherited an agreement in which FIFA doesn't contribute a single dollar toward transportation for the World Cup," Sherrill wrote on the social media platform X. "And while NJ Transit is left with a $48 million bill to safely transport 40,000 fans from the stadium to wherever they're headed, FIFA is generating $11 billion from this World Cup."
Sherrill added, "I won't stick N.J. commuters with that tab for years to come, that's not fair. FIFA should pay for the rides, but if they don't, I'm not going to let N.J. commuters be taken for one."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also expressed concern earlier in the week, posting on X that "charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high" to her.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the transportation funding issue.