EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY — New Jersey Transit is planning to charge fans more than $100 for round-trip tickets from Penn Station in Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A return ticket for the same journey normally costs $12.90.

A spokesperson for New Jersey Transit said no firm decision had been taken on World Cup ticket pricing and described the reports as unconfirmed speculation. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority confirmed that return tickets from Boston to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts would cost $80, up from the usual event-day price of $20.

MetLife Stadium will host the 2026 World Cup final and is scheduled to stage eight tournament matches. Football fans have expressed outrage at the price increases for transit fares to World Cup matches.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill blamed FIFA for the transit price hikes and said the state faces a $48 million security bill for the eight games at MetLife Stadium. "I won't stick New Jersey commuters for that tab for years to come; that's not fair," Sherrill said.

She also addressed who should cover transportation costs for fans attending matches. "So here's the bottom line: Fifa should pay for the rides, but if they don't I'm not going to let New Jersey commuters get taken for one," Sherrill said. Senator Chuck Schumer wrote that FIFA should foot the bill for transport costs to World Cup venues.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also weighed in on the proposed fares. "Charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me," Hochul said.

FIFA disputed the characterization of its obligations, stating that the original host city agreements required free transportation for fans to all matches and that a re-negotiation stipulated transport would be offered at cost on match days. "We are quite surprised by the NJ Governor's approach on fan transportation," FIFA said. "FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation."

The U.S. federal government allocated $100 million in funding to host cities for transit network costs, including $8.7 million for Boston and Massachusetts and $10.4 million for the New York-New Jersey area. Los Angeles's transit agency received $9.6 million and pledged not to increase standard fares, which are typically $3.50 for a round trip from downtown Los Angeles, for trips to SoFi Stadium during World Cup match days.

France will play all three of its Group I matches in Boston and New Jersey. England has group matches scheduled at stadiums in Boston and New Jersey.