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East Rutherford Today
By the People, for the People
NJ Transit Plans Crowd Control for World Cup Games at MetLife Stadium
Commuters could face major disruptions as transit agency restricts access to Penn Station for non-ticket holders
Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:49am
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Cubist rendering of the anticipated chaos and disruption at New York Penn Station during the 2026 World Cup matches at nearby MetLife Stadium.East Rutherford TodayNJ Transit is finalizing a transportation plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The plan may involve closing parts of New York Penn Station to all NJ Transit riders except those with game tickets for up to four hours before kickoff. This would impact over 64,000 daily rail commuters who typically use the station.
Why it matters
The World Cup is relying heavily on NJ Transit to transport fans to the games, as traditional parking and tailgating options will not be available. The potential station restrictions aim to manage the influx of ticketed fans while minimizing disruptions to regular commuters, though the changes could still significantly impact the daily routines of thousands of riders.
The details
Under the proposed plan, only ticketholders would be able to access special trains to MetLife Stadium from a designated entrance at Penn Station. The rest of the station could be closed off to other NJ Transit riders for up to four hours before each of the eight World Cup matches scheduled at the stadium. The games include four on weekdays, two on Saturdays, and two on Sundays, all starting in the late afternoon.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium are scheduled for June 13, 16, 22, 25, 27, 30 and July 5, 19.
- NJ Transit says the full mobility plan will be announced later this month.
The players
NJ Transit
The public transportation agency responsible for providing rail, bus, light rail and paratransit services throughout New Jersey.
MetLife Stadium
The home stadium of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will host several 2026 World Cup matches.
What’s next
NJ Transit says it will announce the full details of its World Cup transportation plan later this month.
The takeaway
The 2026 World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium will present a major logistical challenge for NJ Transit, which must balance the needs of tens of thousands of ticketed fans with the daily commutes of over 64,000 regular riders passing through Penn Station. The agency's crowd control plan aims to minimize disruptions, but could still significantly impact the routines of many New Jersey commuters.
