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East Rutherford Today
By the People, for the People
NJ Transit Plans Crowd Control Measures for World Cup
Ticketholders may get exclusive access to Penn Station before games at MetLife Stadium
Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:49am
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The World Cup's transportation demands will test NJ Transit's ability to move both fans and regular commuters through the busy New York Penn Station.East Rutherford TodayNJ Transit is considering implementing restrictions at New York Penn Station during the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Under the proposed plan, only ticketholders would be allowed to access special trains to the stadium, potentially shutting out over 64,000 daily NJ Transit riders who normally use the station.
Why it matters
With the World Cup relying heavily on NJ Transit to transport fans to the games and limited parking options at the stadium, the agency is tasked with balancing the needs of ticketholders and regular commuters. These crowd control measures could significantly disrupt the daily commutes of thousands of NJ residents.
The details
The plan would close parts of New York Penn Station to all NJ Transit riders except those with game tickets for four hours before a match starts. Ticketholders would use a specific entrance to ride to Secaucus and then catch a train or bus to MetLife Stadium. A total of eight World Cup games are scheduled at the stadium, including the championship match.
- Four of the games are scheduled on weekdays (June 16, 22, 25, and 30).
- Two games are on Saturday (June 13 and 27).
- Two games are on Sunday (July 5 and 19).
- The games start late in the afternoon, affecting the regular commute.
The players
NJ Transit
The public transportation agency responsible for providing rail, bus, light rail, and paratransit services in New Jersey.
MetLife Stadium
The home stadium of the New York Giants and New York Jets NFL teams, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will host several 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
What’s next
NJ Transit plans to announce the full details of the transportation plan for World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium later this month.
The takeaway
The 2026 FIFA World Cup poses a significant logistical challenge for NJ Transit, as the agency must balance the needs of ticketholders attending the games with the daily commutes of over 64,000 regular riders who use New York Penn Station. The proposed crowd control measures at the station highlight the difficult tradeoffs involved in accommodating both groups.
