World Cup host city planning complementary transport amidst rocketing prices around the country
- Fans attending FIFA World Cup games in Philadelphia will not have to pay for return transportation, unlike other locations such as Boston and New York.
Fans planning to attend one of the six FIFA World Cup games scheduled to be held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will not have to pay the exorbitant fees expected from some other locations just to get to the venue.
SEPTA announced on April 15 that its regular base fee of $2.90 to travel from Broad Street subway station to the home of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles would remain fixed for fans traveling to World Cup games this summer, as per the Philadelphia Inquirer .
This announcement came after it emerged that the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority would be raising its prices for its commuter train between Boston and Foxborough, home to Gillette Stadium, from $20 to $80.
SEPTA will be fixing its $2.90 fare to travel from Broad Street to Lincoln Financial Field -Credit:Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Meanwhile, it had also been claimed - and has since been confirmed - that NJ Transit will be raising its fee to catch the subway from Penn Station in New York City to the Meadowlands, home to MetLife Stadium, from $12.90 to $150 for a return, via ABC 7 NY .
This came after New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill had already taken to social media to call out FIFA for being tasked with footing the $48 million bill to get fans to and from the venue. "Our Administration inherited an agreement where FIFA contributes $0 toward transportation for the World Cup – while also eliminating parking at MetLife Stadium. Except for premium parking, where FIFA is charging over $200 per spot," she later posted after the fares were confirmed.
"As a result, NJ TRANSIT must carry four times the usual ridership for events at the venue, at a cost of $48 million. New Jerseyans shouldn't be stuck with that bill while FIFA makes $11 billion in profits."
But while fans at those venues will have to shell out for transportation, Philadelphia won't be following suit, with spokesperson Andrew Busch saying, "We are not going to be doing anything like that ... no premium pricing."
This has since been further clarified by the local organizing committee on social media, that there will be no fee to use SEPTA's Broad Street line when returning from games. According to The Athletic , "Organizers say complimentary rides home from NRG Station will begin at half-time and continue for two hours following the end of each match."
This supposedly free transportation has been made possible courtesy of one of FIFA's sponsors this summer - Airbnb. The outlet was informed by the CEO of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, Meg Kane, that the rental firm has provided $5 million in funding for local initiatives during the tournament in host cities.
What's more, a federal grant of $5.5 million has also been provided to help cover the cost of transporting soccer fans.
This won't cover the entire cost for what will be a demanding summer for the local public transportation infrastructure, however, with SEPTA having previously estimated that the extra transportation required and associated overtime costs for the World Cup, upcoming MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, and America's 250, will set it back in the region of $21.5 million.
