New Jersey presses FIFA over World Cup transit costs

FIFA World Cup transit costs are at the centre of a dispute in New Jersey. This week, Governor Mikie Sherrill asked FIFA to help subsidise those costs. The request is tied to this summer’s World Cup. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Penn Station to MetLife Stadium fares are set to rise to $100 (€84.94) for World Cup matches. The usual fare is $12.90 (€10.96). An official fare has not yet been announced. Still, Inside the Games said the reported increase was not denied by Sherrill, NJ Transit or the local World Cup host committee.

In a post on X, Sherrill said: “I won’t stick NJcommuters with that tab for years to come, that’s not fair.” She added: “FIFA should pay for the rides, but if they don’t, I’m not going to let NJ commuters be taken for one.”

Why FIFA World Cup transit costs are under scrutiny?

New York leaders voiced similar criticism earlier in the week. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Governor Kathy Hochul both criticised FIFA over New Jersey World Cup train fares. They also objected to the wider burden on local commuters.

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Schumer said: “FIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer’s World Cup,”. He argued that New York residents were still being forced to foot the bill. He added: “The least FIFA can do is ensure New York residents can go to the stadium without being gouged at the turnstile,” and called on the organisation to cover “transportation costs for host cities and states” in the U.S. In a separate post on X, he wrote: “New York commuters and residents should not subsidise an $11 billion windfall,”.

Separately, Hochul objected to the steep ticket prices on social media. She said fares should be more accessible and affordable for football fans and commuters. “Charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me,” she said. She added that such high prices would not be happening on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

FIFA points to host city agreements

Meanwhile, FIFA said they were surprised by the New Jersey governor’s demands. A spokesperson told The Athletic: “the original FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City Agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches,”. In addition, FIFA added: “Recognising the financial strain this placed on the host cities, back in 2023, FIFA adjusted the Host Agreement requirements across all host cities as follows: All Match Ticket holders and accredited individuals shall be able to access transport (public or additionally planned transport) at cost to allow travel to Stadiums on match days.
Moreover, FIFA has worked for years with host cities on their transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities for transportation,”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be hosted by 16 North American cities. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is due to host eight matches, including the final. At the same time, 40,000 football fans are expected to use NJ Transit. The system already sees 800,000 daily riders.

NJ Transit, MetLife Stadium and the $48 million cost

Sherrill said her administration inherited an agreement that allowed FIFA to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. “The agreement our administration inherited allowed FIFA to eliminate parking at MetLife Stadium. As a result, NJ Transit must move four times as many riders as it does during a normal event at the venue. So NJ Transit will provide transportation for ticket holders coming into New Jersey ‘at cost’, and the cost to NJ Transit is at least $48 million,” she explained.

Also, FIFA insisted that the event benefits the local economy. The organisation said the “World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America, along with the related economic impact. The federation added that it “is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation.”

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