New Jersey's MetLife Stadium is set to play a pivotal role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosting eight games in total, including the all-important centerpiece on July 19.
However, as has been the case with numerous locations across the country, the venue has been beset by controversy surrounding not only gameday ticket prices but also transportation costs to get to and from the venue, which lies around 11 miles - or around a four and a half hour walk - from New York City in the Meadowlands.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has been extremely outspoken about the controversial issue , consistently pointing the finger at FIFA for not covering the $48 million required to cover the cost of transporting fans to and from the venue.
NJ Transit has long been at the center of a dispute between New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and FIFA regarding gameday transportation costs -Credit:CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images
This ultimately led NJ Transit to confirm that train fares on gamedays between Penn Station and the Meadowlands would rise from $12.90 for a return to $150, a fee which later dropped to $105 courtesy of private funding.
Meanwhile, shuttles were also announced as an alternative transportation option for fans, costing fans $80 per person.
However, on Tuesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced together with the NYNJ Host Committee that not only had upgrades been made to the shuttle service, but also that the return tickets would now cost $20.
This, once again, came down to private funding along with support from the state. The statement went on to add that, "To ensure that New Yorkers have priority access to this enhanced bus service, 20 percent of bus tickets for each match will be reserved exclusively for New York State residents.
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"All other tickets will be available for all match-going fans, including New Yorkers."
In a statement, Governor Hochul said, "Hosting the World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Yorkers, and we are making this world class event as affordable and accessible as possible.
"Delivering cheaper shuttle bus service is a no-brainer: making it easier to get to matches and saving fans money, especially for New Yorkers who will benefit from exclusive tickets at this new, lower price. This is your World Cup, and from Buffalo to Brooklyn, New Yorkers should be able to enjoy every moment of it."
As for fans who had already pre-paid $80 for the shuttle service, a $60 refund will be issued.
The service will set off from Port Authority Bus Terminal along with a further two spots in Midtown East - east of Grand Central Station - and Midtown North - west of Central Park, with specific locations yet to be announced.
Trains will now cost fans $98 for a round trip instead of the initially planned $150 fares -Credit:Dustin Satloff/Getty Images
What's more, given the lower cost of the shuttle and the subsequent expected rise in demand for tickets, the buses will now be able to transport 18,000 fans for five of the games and 12,000 for the remaining three, a significant jump from the initially planned 10,000. This will be made possible with the use of extra school buses.
In more good news for travelling soccer fans, Governor Sherrill announced on Tuesday that further funding had been secured, allowing NJ Transit to lower the cost of the train once more.
"Good news: Ahead of NJ TRANSIT World Cup train tickets going on sale tonight, @NJTRANSIT is lowering ticket prices to $98 without New Jersey taxpayer money," she wrote.
"Thank you to our partners – DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries, and American Water – for helping make this possible.
"We're excited to host a world-class event this summer and showcase New Jersey on the global stage."
