Things to do
The 100 best things to do in NYC for locals and tourists
Last updated April 13, 2026: Pickleball is back in Central Park, outdoor movie season is finally here, and Veselka is again turning out pierogi...
In one of its largest installments in the tournament’s history, the 2026 FIFA World Cup returns this summer and it’s a particularly New York-y (okay, fine, New Jersey-y) edition of the every-foour-years soccer competition.
The tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19 in a record 104 matches staged across Mexico, Canada and the United States (that’s 16 North American cities including Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia and Seattle), marking the first time ever that three countries have hosted the event together.
But the New York–New Jersey region will play a particularly prominent role this year with eight matches scheduled for the area—including the big championship match on July 19—at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, after five weeks of games across the continent. It’s especially exciting because it’s been thirty-plus years since New York and New Jersey played host to the World Cup back in 1994 at the now-defunct Giants Stadium (which has since been replaced by MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. And not only that, but the official FIFA tournament poster was designed by one of New York’s own: Brooklyn-based conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas.
Whether you’re looking to brush up on the match schedule and ticketing details, acquaint yourself with some transit info and hotel recommendations, or partake in one of the fan zones or some other only-in-New York fun, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the FIFA World Cup in New York.
RECOMMENDED: A guide to the FIFA World Cup in the U.S.
Where is the FIFA World Cup being held in New York?
FIFA’s official schedule will tell you that the matches take place at “New York New Jersey Stadium” but any real New Yorker will tell you they actually mean MetLife Stadium, the (American) football stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey—yes, New Jersey, not New York—that’s usually home to the New York Giants and the New York Jets. (But, again, it’s actually located in New Jersey. We know, it’s confusing.)
If you’re unfamiliar with the New York/New Jersey area, East Rutherford is known as a sports and entertainment hub thanks to the aforementioned MetLife Stadium (a big-name stop for major performing artists from Beyoncé to Bruce Springsteen to BLACKPINK) as well as the massive American Dream shopping mall and theme park, the Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment complex and more. It’s—with zero traffic—only about a 25-minute drive from midtown Manhattan, though it can take nearly 40 minutes by public transportation depending on your point of origin.
How can I get to MetLife Stadium? And what about parking?
Okay, so New York isn’t exactly the most car-friendly city in the world, but that doesn’t mean that you drivers will be completely out of luck come World Cup season. Whether you’re venturing by car, train or bus (and no, despite some social-media confusion, you definitely should not walk to East Rutherford from NYC), here’s a rundown of all of your options for getting to MetLife for game day.
By train
In a surprise to absolutely no one, the best way to get to MetLife Stadium from New York City is by public transportation—specifically, take the NJ Transit train from Manhattan’s Penn Station to Secaucus Junction, then transfer to the dedicated Meadowlands Rail Service shuttle, which drops you directly at the stadium. (Speaking of, New York Penn Station will be accessible only to tournament ticket holders for four hours leading up to kickoff, so those moving through Midtown should plan accordingly!)
The whole trek to the stadium will take you about 30 minutes, with trains running frequently on event days. Train tickets can be purchased via the NJ TRANSIT Mobile App; they go on sale May 13 and are limited to 40,000 for each match, though that hefty $150 price for return trips has been decreased to a still-very-pricy $105. Customers must have a valid FIFA Wold Cup match ticket in order to purchase an NJ TRANSIT ticket to the stadium.
By bus
There will also be round-trip FIFA World Cup bus service to MetLife Stadium picking up from three transit hubs in New York and New Jersey: NYC’s Port Authority Bus Terminal, NYC’s Midtown East near Grand Central Terminal and the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine Park-N-Ride in Clifton, NJ. Bus tickets must be purchased in advance and a FIFA World Cup game ticket is required to board.
The NJ Department of Transportation officials say they’re planning for “a bus every 30 seconds for four hours” before and after each match. A new bus terminal at MetLife is set to open ahead of kickoff, while a temporary ramp off the Turnpike will funnel buses directly from New York City into the stadium area. There’s also a dedicated “TransitWay,” a bus-only lane that will switch on hours before and after games to keep vehicles moving.
By car
Technically, you can drive from the NYC area to MetLife, but it’s vital to know that there will be no parking available at the stadium on any of the eight local match days. However, there is parking at the nearby American Dream Mall, which is connected to the stadium via pedestrian bridge—around 5,000 parking spots will be available at the nearby shopping center, but only for ticket holders and priced at a steep $225 per spot. (Parking for the final is already gone.) A rideshare lot is also in the works near the Meadowlands Racetrack, though surge pricing is expected.
Can I still get tickets to the World Cup in NYC?
Yes, you can still get tickets to 2026 World Cup matches in the New York/New Jersey area—tickets for matches, including those played at MetLife Stadium, can be found on the official FIFA ticket platform as well as on the FIFA resale marketplace.
Where should I stay in NYC if I’m going to the World Cup?
Now, we’re assuming that you’re not simply coming to town for a single match and then leaving the next day. (If that is the case, however, you’d likely want to snag a hotel near MetLife Stadium, with the Hampton Inn Carlstadt-At The Meadowlands being your closest option at about a half-mile distance from the stadium.)
If, instead, you’re spending at least a couple days in town for the games, you’ve got a wealth of options across the river in NYC proper. We recommend sticking to a transit-accessible neighborhood, especially one with shuttle access to the stadium. Over near Penn Station, the Renaissance New York Midtown, the Kimpton Hotel Eventi and the Arlo Midtown are all solid four-star properties walkable to the transit hub, though if you want to splurge, the Equinox and the Pendry offer some five-star luxury nearby.
And the Grand Central area also has numerous top-rate options, including the Hyatt Grand Central New York, the Library Hotel and the Andaz 5th Avenue.
What’s the World Cup match schedule in NYC?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, with the schedule running from June 13 to July 19. 2026. While the first stage matchups have already been determined, the round of 32 and quarterfinal teams will be locked in as the tournament progresses.
Saturday, June 13 (6pm ET)
🇧🇷 Brazil vs. 🇲🇦 Morocco
Tuesday, June 16 (3pm ET)
🇫🇷 France vs. 🇸🇳 Senegal
Monday, June 22 (8pm ET)
🇳🇴 Norway vs. 🇸🇳 Senegal
Thursday, June 25 (4pm ET)
🇪🇨 Ecuador vs. 🇩🇪 Germany
Saturday, June 27 (5pm ET)
🇵🇦 Panama vs. 🏴 England
Tuesday, June 30 (5pm ET)
Round of 32
Sunday, July 5 (4pm ET)
Round of 16
Sunday, July 19 (3pm ET)
FIFA World Cup 26 Final
How else can I partake in the World Cup fun without attending a match? And where are all of the fan zones?
While it won’t be quite the same as having a seat right on the pitch, there are a host of major watch parties happening in NYC for this June and July’s matches. The premier event is the NYNJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub located at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, which will feature live match viewings, immersive fan experiences, cultural programming, musical performances and more. There will also be the NYNJ World Cup 26 Queens Group Stage HQ, which will take place at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the group stage matches from June 11 to June 27, 2026.
And of course Time Out Market will play host to its own World Cup Viewing Experience at our Dumbo location. Come cheer on your team as all of our TV screens will be streaming every game, paired with drink specials and merchandise for the ultimate fan. Even better? You can catch every game for free.
