New Jersey Transit drops fare to World Cup games, again

Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News on May 13, 2026

Published in Soccer

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NEW YORK — Prices keep falling for a ride to the World Cup, with both New York and New Jersey announcing discounted tickets Wednesday after weeks of backlash against the high fares initially proposed for the global sporting event.

NJ Transit announced Wednesday that it had reduced the price of a round trip rail ticket to World Cup matches once again — from $105 to $98.

The announcement comes less than a week after the Garden State railroad walked back from it’s initial ticket price of $150 — a sum officials said would keep ordinary commuters from subsidizing the expense of World Cup service.

In a statement Wednesday, N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the price cut was made possible by donations, and ordinary commuters would still not be subsidizing the games.

“Thanks to strong partnerships with private sponsors, we’re driving down the cost of transit and delivering a plan that supports this historic moment without placing any additional burden on NJ Transit riders or New Jersey families,” she said in a statement.

NJ Transit has agreed to transport 40,000 fans to each of the eight World Cup matches scheduled for MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands this summer — an agreement calling special rail service starting four hours before kick-off and special return service for up to three hours after each match.

Last month NJ Tranist honcho Kris Kolluri said the cost of that service — including security, overtime labor costs, accelerated train maintenance, and a contingency plan involving buses on standby should rail service be delayed — would cost an estimated $6 million per match.

The resultant $150 ticket price angered fans and politicians alike, with many calling on FIFA — the global governing body that runs the games — to foot the bill.

In a tweet Wednesday, Sherrill said the reduction in price was made possible through money from several sponsors, specifically DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries, and American Water.

“In one month, millions from around the world will gather in our region for one of the largest sporting events in history — and New Jersey is ready to welcome them,” Sherrill said in her statement. “I have been clear: hosting the World Cup cannot come at the expense of New Jersey taxpayers. Since FIFA still will not cover the cost of transporting its fans despite making $13 billion from the World Cup, we are finding a solution that protects our residents.”

Also on Wednesday, New York Gov. Hochul announced that she and the World Cup’s NYNJ Host Committee had struck a deal to lower the cost of the committee’s shuttle bus service to the games from $80 to $20 — along with a commitment to reserve 20% of the bus tickets for New York State residents.

“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,” she said in a statement. “Cheaper shuttle bus service is a no-brainer — saving fans money and making it easier to get to matches, especially for New Yorkers who have access to exclusive tickets at this new, lower price.”