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Getting to this summer’s FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium just became dramatically less painful for both your wallet.
Governor Kathy Hochul and the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee announced this week that official round-trip shuttle bus service to World Cup matches will now cost $20, down from the originally announced $80 fare. (In New York terms, that’s basically the difference between “ugh” and “fine, I’ll go.”)
The upgraded shuttle program is part of a bigger effort to keep the region’s transit infrastructure from completely melting under the weight of one of the biggest sporting events on earth. The buses will transport fans to and from matches at MetLife Stadium (that’s “New York New Jersey Stadium” during FIFA season), with departures from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and additional pickup points in Midtown East and Midtown North. Exact locations will be shared with ticketholders in the coming weeks.
The Host Committee is also massively expanding capacity. Initial plans called for around 10,000 shuttle seats per game, but officials now say there will be up to 18,000 seats available for five matches and 12,000 seats for three others. Additional school buses are even being brought in through Highland Electric Fleets and NYC School Bus Umbrella Services to help handle demand.
To help locals access the cheaper transportation option before international soccer fans descend on the region en masse, 20% of shuttle tickets for each match will be reserved exclusively for New York State residents. The remaining tickets will be available to all match-going fans. And if you were one of the ambitious early planners who already shelled out $80 for a shuttle ticket, you’ll automatically receive a $60 refund, too.
“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,” Hochul said in a statement. “Delivering cheaper shuttle bus service is a no-brainer.”
The transportation changes are part of a larger statewide World Cup buildup that already includes free public watch parties, expanded outdoor drinking permits during matches and new youth soccer investments through the state’s NY Kicks initiative. In other words, New York is preparing to spend the next year treating soccer like the Super Bowl, Olympics and New Year’s Eve all rolled into one.