Getting to the Game: Transportation Tips for the FIFA World Cup at MetLife Stadium
North Jersey is gearing up for the FIFA World Cup games at MetLife Stadium, with the first match between Brazil and Morocco set to kick off at 6 p.m. on Saturday. To accommodate the nearly 80,000 ticketholders, the stadium's parking lots will be closed, and transportation options like NJ Transit trains, shuttle buses, and ride-sharing services will be available.
NJ Transit officials are taking precautions to avoid past mishaps during major sporting events, such as the 2014 Super Bowl. With a global audience watching, the agency is implementing measures to assist international fans unfamiliar with the local transportation system, including deploying multilingual ambassadors to guide them.
To access NJ Transit trains for the World Cup games, commuters will need both their game tickets and round-trip train tickets, which are being sold for $98. The agency has made 40,000 train tickets available for each game and is encouraging attendees to take the train to avoid traffic congestion, as Uber and Lyft rides could take up to two hours due to gridlock.
In partnership with DoorDash, NJ Transit has renamed the train line to the stadium the "DoorDash Meadowlands Rail Line" and reduced the cost of train tickets from $150 to $98. Shuttle buses from Manhattan to the stadium are a more affordable option at $20 per round trip, down from the initial $80 fare.
To manage the post-game crowd flow, designated fan zones outside the stadium will help disperse attendees. NJ Transit is also prepared with backup buses, ferries, and Amtrak infrastructure in case of any unforeseen issues during the World Cup games.
As fans head back to Penn Station after the matches, they may encounter enthusiastic Knicks fans celebrating a potential NBA Finals win. The Knicks' previous victories have led to impromptu celebrations and increased police presence near Madison Square Garden and Penn Station.