Kickoff for the World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium is rapidly approaching—or should we say rolling?—and it’s safe to say New York is more than ready for the excitement.
Between extended bar hours, new laws that practically make celebrating mandatory, and massive fan hubs popping up across the five boroughs, the anticipation is reaching fever pitch. The energy is through the roof—or maybe through the net.
With all the excitement underway, one question may still be lingering for New Yorkers lucky enough to score tickets: how exactly do you get there? Thankfully, that’s where we come in.
Whether you’re traveling from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, New Jersey, or beyond, getting to the biggest sporting event on the planet doesn’t have to be the most stressful part of your day. We’ve put together the ultimate transit and travel guide to help you navigate everything from trains and buses to parking and game-day logistics, so you can spend less time worrying about transportation and more time perfecting your victory chants.
The Direct Route: NJ Transit Trains
If you want to skip highway traffic entirely, the iron rail is your best bet—but it is going to cost you, and you can’t just show up with a standard MetroCard or OMNY tap.
- The Price Tag: $98 round-trip.
- The Catch: This service is exclusively for World Cup ticket holders.
- The Route: Trains will run directly between Manhattan’s Penn Station and the stadium. No annoying transfer at Secaucus Junction required for these matches.
- The Limit: Capacity is strictly capped at 40,000 passengers per match.
How to Board at Penn Station
Before heading to Penn Station, make sure you’ve purchased your NJ Transit ticket through the app’s “Special Events” section. On game day, you’ll need both your World Cup match ticket and your NJ Transit ticket in hand to receive the mandatory Matchday Wristband required for boarding the train to MetLife Stadium.
⚠️ Penn Station Boarding Zones: Pay attention to signage. Queueing and boarding will be split between W. 32nd Street (between 6th & 7th Avenues) and W. 33rd Street (between 6th & 8th Avenues).
The Budget Choice: Official FIFA Shuttle Buses
In a rare piece of good news for your wallet, FIFA slashed the round-trip shuttle price from $80 down to $20 round-trip, making this by far the most economical way to get to the match.
You must book these seats separately through FIFA’s official shuttle booking system.
Where to Catch the Shuttle
- Manhattan Hubs:
- Port Authority Bus Terminal
- Midtown East (near Grand Central)
- Midtown North (near Columbus Circle)
- Jersey Park-and-Ride: Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (Clifton, NJ)
Gridlock Alert: NYC Traffic & Gridlock Zones
Even if you aren’t crossing the river, the World Cup is going to fundamentally change how traffic moves through Manhattan on match days. The city is prioritizing buses to keep the FIFA shuttles moving.
- The 42nd Street Shutdown: 42nd Street will become a strict bus-only corridor. Do not attempt to drive a personal vehicle across Midtown.
- New Dedicated Bus Lanes: Expect massive lane closures for regular traffic on Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue between 42nd Street and 59th Street.
The Conveniences (With Conditions): Rideshares & Taxis
Taking an Uber, Lyft, or yellow cab might feel like the easiest option, but the logistics are tightly restricted to prevent a total bottleneck at the stadium gates.
- Surge Pricing: Expect astronomical “premium pricing” before and after the matches.
- No Front-Door Drop-off: Drivers cannot pull up to the stadium. All rideshares and taxis are restricted to a designated zone at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment.
- The Walk: Pack comfortable shoes; you will have to walk the remaining distance from the racetrack lot to the stadium gates.
If you’re thinking about driving yourself, be prepared: it’s by far the most expensive and potentially stressful option. There will be no public parking available at MetLife Stadium on match days, with all fan parking redirected to the nearby American Dream Mall. Advance parking passes are required and cost a hefty $225–$300 per vehicle, per match.
Add in expected highway congestion and enhanced security screenings, and FIFA is urging drivers to arrive several hours before kickoff.
The Cheat Sheet: Which Option is Best For You?
