If you were dreading the $150 round-trip train tickets or the original $80 shuttle fee to see the 2026 FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium, New York officials just handed you a massive win.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the price for the Official NYNJ Stadium Shuttle has been slashed from $80 to just $20 round-trip. The move comes after public outcry over soaring transit costs for the tournament, which kicks off this June.
So, yes–that means you’ll have much more money left over to spend on the more important things, like souvenirs and stadium hot dogs.
A $60 Price Drop & Increased Number of Seats
Originally set at a steep $80, the state is now subsidizing the service to make the “once-in-a-generation” event accessible to more than just the ultra-wealthy.
- The New Price: $20 round-trip (a 75% discount)
- Refunds: If you already paid $80, don’t panic–officials say a $60 automatic refund is being processed for existing ticketholders
- More Seats: Bus capacity has been boosted from 10,000 to 18,000 seats for the biggest matches to handle the surge in demand
New Yorkers Get VIP Access
In a move to prioritize locals, Governor Hochul confirmed that 20% of all shuttle tickets for every match are being reserved exclusively for New York State residents.
While the remaining 80% are open to all fans, this “NY-first” quota ensures that locals won’t be completely boxed out by the millions of international tourists descending on the city.
Hosting the World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Yorkers…This is your World Cup, and from Buffalo to Brooklyn, New Yorkers should be able to enjoy every moment of it. – Governor Hochul
Where to Catch the Shuttle
To avoid the absolute transit apocalypse predicted for Penn Station, these shuttles will bypass the trains entirely, departing from three key Manhattan hubs:
- Port Authority Bus Terminal
- Midtown East (east of Grand Central Terminal)
- Midtown North (west of Central Park)
Exact locations will be announced to ticketholders in the coming weeks.
How to Secure Your $20 Seat
Tickets are on sale now, but there is a requirement: you must already have a valid FIFA World Cup match ticket to book the shuttle.
With NJ Transit train fares still hovering around $98 round-trip (even after their own recent price cut), these $20 bus seats are expected to sell out almost instantly. You can grab yours at the Official NYNJ Host Committee site.
