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Just days after NJ Transit reduced the price of 2026 FIFA World Cup train tickets following backlash, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced another reduction.
Last week, round-trip tickets from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were reduced from the original cost of $150 to $105.
Now, Sherrill has announced that tickets are down to $98 round-trip before they go on sale Tuesday night.
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Gov. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., narrowly won Rep. Tom Kean Jr.’s battleground district in 2025. (Eduardo Muñoz Álvarez/Getty Images)
“Good news: Before NJ TRANSIT World Cup train tickets go on sale tonight, @NJTRANSIT is lowering ticket prices to $98 with no money from New Jersey taxpayers,” Sherrill wrote on X.
“Thank you to our partners – DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries and American Water – for helping make this possible.
“We are excited to host a world-class event this summer and showcase New Jersey on the world stage.”
NJ TRANSIT REDUCES WORLD CUP TRAIN TICKET PRICES AFTER BACKPLAY, CITING MORE MONETARY SUPPORT: REPORT
NJ Transit and the FIFA New York New Jersey host committee came under fire after the initially announced price of $150 for round-trip tickets. Their argument was that it would end up costing taxpayers if they had not set this abnormal price for the influx of those traveling to MetLife Stadium from New York.
Then, NJ Transit announced last week that it had received monetary support from “sponsors and other sources” to be able to lower prices. We now know about these sponsors after Sherrill’s statement on social media.
Sherrill and FIFA also fell out after the $150 price tag was released. The governor said FIFA should help pay for train tickets, while the governing body criticized Sherrill’s “unprecedented” plan and added that expensive train tickets would have a “chilling effect” on the fan experience.
Transportation officials are preparing to welcome an unprecedented number of passengers during World Cup matches this summer. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“Governor Sherrill has made it clear that FIFA should contribute to transporting its fans to World Cup matches. When that is not the case, she has directed NJ Transit to seek private, non-taxpayer funds to significantly reduce the fare,” a Sherrill spokesperson told The Athletic. “The Governor appreciates all of the businesses that have already stepped up to reduce costs for ticket holders. She will continue to ensure that the World Cup is an experience that benefits fans and all New Jersey residents.”
Kris Kolluri, CEO of NJ Transit, defended the initial price, saying the final cost to the public transportation company should not burden New Jersey commuters.
“This is an exciting time for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey’s diversity as well as its economic position in the country and the world. Just as important, (Sherrill) said New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the travel of fans to the game because that would not be fair,” Kolluri said, reiterating that the tournament would cost NJ Transit $48 million.
“To move 40,000 people and pay $6 million (per game), we have to charge $150.”
The regular round-trip train fare from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium is $12.90.
Commuters move through the NJ Transit section of Penn Station in New York on May 20, 2025, after NJ Transit resumed operations following a tentative agreement to end a three-day strike by rail engineers. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, parking has been banned at MetLife Stadium and carpooling will be limited, ultimately leading to a natural increase in NJ Transit’s commute to World Cup matches.
The first match at MetLife Stadium will take place on June 13 with a group stage match between Brazil and Morocco.
