New Jersey Lowers World Cup Train Fare to $105 After Initial $150 Plan

The United States, Canada, and Mexico promised free public transportation for 2026 World Cup ticket holders when they bid to host the tournament in 2017. FIFA later allowed hosts to charge fares to cover costs. New Jersey initially set a $150 round-trip fare on NJ TRANSIT from Midtown Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, which normally costs $13 for the 20-minute trip.

The fare drew criticism from fans who called it price gouging. It has since been lowered to $105 with support from corporate donors. Tickets for the adjusted fare go on sale tomorrow. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill defended the original plan on X.

She stated that the agreement with FIFA will cost NJ TRANSIT at least $48 million while FIFA is positioned to make $11 billion during the World Cup. Sherrill added that if FIFA will not cover the cost of transporting its fans, the state will not subsidize ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ TRANSIT every day.

FIFA said it was quite surprised by the New Jersey governor’s approach on fan transportation. The 2026 tournament will be the first hosted jointly by three countries and the first with 48 teams.

FIFA is projected to generate $13 billion from the tournament through tickets, parking, merchandise, concessions, sponsorships, and television rights. Host cities and states are responsible for costs including stadium retrofits, security, transportation, administration, and public fan zones.

Local organizers have said FIFA’s contracts leave hosts with limited ability to recoup their expenses. The state of New Jersey has spent more than $300 million preparing to host games. Toronto plans to spend $380 million Canadian dollars and Vancouver $624 million Canadian dollars.

Most U.S. host cities originally estimated hosting costs at around $200 million each.

FIFA has required large security cordons around stadiums, eliminating general parking at MetLife Stadium. Remaining parking will be sold by FIFA at rates from $100 to $175 per game in various host cities. The organization pays rental fees to use the stadiums.

Federal funding of $625 million for local police was delayed by a partial government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security. The funds were disbursed in March after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft provided $8 million upfront for security measures in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

States and cities continue to cover additional expenses including specialized grass cultivation to meet FIFA specifications. Professional sports events often promise economic benefits from visitor spending, but studies have shown that much of the activity substitutes for other tourism rather than adding to it.

The costs to public budgets remain fixed while the scale of any net economic gain is uncertain.