Football fans heading to World Cup matches at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will have to pay a hefty $150 for a round-trip train ride from New York City, officials have confirmed.
The 36-mile journey, which usually costs about $12.90, will apply during the tournament, where the stadium is set to host eight matches, including the final. Only 40,000 train tickets per game will be available for fans.
NJ Transit President and CEO, Kris Kolluri, said the fare will cover trips from New York to the stadium and back, a move that has sparked criticism
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New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill defended the decision, citing a $48 million security cost for hosting the matches. She insisted that local commuters should not bear the expense, adding that FIFA should take responsibility.
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also called on FIFA to cover transportation costs for fans.
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FIFA, however, has pushed back, saying host city agreements originally required free transportation for fans on matchdays.
The body noted that while the agreement was later adjusted to allow transport “at cost,” the current pricing is unexpectedly high.
The organization pointed to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where fans used public transport for free with match tickets.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also criticized the fare, describing it as excessive for such a short trip.
The development adds to growing concerns over the rising cost of attending the World Cup, despite reports that the US government has allocated about $100 million to support transport systems in host cities.
With millions of fans expected, the high transport fare could affect attendance and overall fan experience if no agreement is reached.
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