Why It Matters
New Jersey’s transit infrastructure faces its biggest stress test in years as MetLife Stadium hosts eight FIFA World Cup matches this summer. How well NJ Transit manages fan transportation could shape the state’s reputation as a major international event hub — and affect hundreds of thousands of daily commuters during weekday games.
What Happened
NJ Transit transported roughly 21,000 passengers to and from the first World Cup match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — a venue temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament. The agency had prepared capacity for up to 40,000 riders, meaning only about half of available rail capacity was used.
As transportation reporter Larry Higgs noted, “They had 21,000 people. They were prepared to move 40,000 people.” Despite falling well short of full capacity, NJ Transit and the New York New Jersey Host Committee characterized the debut operation as a success.
Fans who opted out of rail had other options, though not always smooth ones. More than 14,000 passengers took shuttle buses operated by the Host Committee at $20 per ticket. Rideshare users relying on Uber, the tournament’s official rideshare provider, reported surge pricing and lengthy wait times.
By the Numbers
21,000 — passengers NJ Transit carried to and from the opening match.
40,000 — the rail capacity NJ Transit had staged for the event.
$150 — the original round-trip rail ticket price from Manhattan before it was reduced to $98.
14,000+ — fans who rode shuttle buses at $20 per ticket.
8 — total World Cup matches scheduled at MetLife Stadium this summer.
Zoom Out
The gap between prepared capacity and actual ridership reflects a pattern seen at other major international sporting events, where fan transportation behavior is difficult to predict. High ticket prices for transit — the original $150 round-trip fare drew criticism before being cut — can suppress demand and push fans toward rideshare and private vehicles, increasing road congestion and strain on surrounding infrastructure.
New Jersey’s transportation planners are not alone in navigating these tradeoffs. Host cities across the United States are reconfiguring transit logistics for a World Cup that spans dozens of venues in multiple states, making coordination between agencies and private providers especially complex.
What’s Next
The next World Cup match in New Jersey is set for June 16 — today — when France faces Senegal at a 3 p.m. kickoff. That weekday timing adds a commuter dimension absent from weekend matches, and NJ Transit has asked commuters to work from home if possible. Three additional weekday games remain on the schedule, each carrying the same request.
Transit officials will also offer fans the option to purchase $98 train tickets on-site at the stadium, a policy introduced after the opening match to accommodate stranded attendees. How ridership levels evolve across the remaining seven matches will serve as a real-world gauge of New Jersey’s infrastructure readiness for large-scale international events.