USA · FIFA World Cup 2026
New York/New Jersey Travel Guide
Home of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final at MetLife Stadium
Host stadiums
About New York/New Jersey
New York City and its surrounding New Jersey metro hosts eight World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford — including the World Cup Final on 19 July 2026. No other 2026 host city has the same combination of global visibility, tournament gravitas and cross-border travel access.
The metropolitan region spans two states. Matches are staged at MetLife (NJ), but most visitors base themselves in Manhattan, Hoboken, Jersey City or Newark and travel in by train or car on matchday.
Upcoming matches in New York/New Jersey
No upcoming fixtures are published for this city yet. MetLife Stadium Tickets
Where to stay
- Manhattan (Midtown / Times Square) — shortest time to MetLife via NJ Transit from Penn Station. Highest prices, most choice.
- Hoboken & Jersey City — 20–30 min by PATH from Manhattan, cheaper hotels, dense matchday bar scene.
- Newark — closest downtown to the stadium and EWR airport; often the best price-to-access ratio during the tournament.
- Harrison, Secaucus — budget options directly on the MetLife rail line.
Getting around
- From Penn Station (NYC): NJ Transit to Secaucus Junction, transfer to the Meadowlands rail — 30–45 min total. Runs special World Cup services every few minutes around kickoff.
- Driving: MetLife parking is pre-book only and fills weeks ahead. Park-and-ride lots operate at Secaucus, Harrison and Newark.
- From JFK: AirTrain + LIRR/subway to Penn Station, then the stadium train. Allow 2–3 hours door to door.
- From Newark (EWR): quickest airport by far — AirTrain + NJ Transit direct to Secaucus in under an hour.
What to eat
- MetLife is cashless — Apple Pay, Google Pay, contactless cards only inside the stadium.
- Matchday spots: Hoboken waterfront bars (PATH-accessible), Newark's Ironbound for Portuguese and Brazilian food, Koreatown in Midtown around 32nd St.
- Secaucus has limited matchday food around the rail station — eat before you board.
Safety and matchday tips
- Use licensed yellow cabs or ride-share (Uber/Lyft) rather than unbooked cars at stations.
- Keep e-tickets on the device they were delivered to — screenshots aren't accepted at MetLife.
- Away fans in home sections: stay discreet. Jerseys are fine; chanting from the wrong section can get you ejected.
Fan zones and atmosphere
- NYC official Fan Festival — expected in Manhattan (location TBC by FIFA).
- Hoboken waterfront pubs and Jersey City's Grove Street area — unofficial fan hubs with big screens and outdoor seating.
Nearest airports
- EWRNewark Liberty International
- JFKJohn F. Kennedy International
- LGALaGuardia
Other host cities
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