Schumer Calls on FIFA to Cover $150 NJ Transit Fares for World Cup Fans

Senator says high rail costs will price out New Yorkers from attending matches at MetLife Stadium

Apr. 20, 2026 at 12:57am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a soccer match or crowd of fans, rendered in a cubist style with sharp, overlapping planes of bright colors and metallic accents, conveying the complex interplay between global sports and local infrastructure.A cubist interpretation of the tension between global sports events and local transportation challenges.East Rutherford Today

Senator Chuck Schumer has called on FIFA to cover the $150 NJ Transit round-trip fares that fans will have to pay to attend World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Schumer argues it's unfair for New Yorkers to have to deal with the steep price hike, especially since FIFA is eliminating parking at the stadium and the federal government and local host committee are only covering a portion of the $62 million in transit costs, leaving NJ Transit to foot a $48 million bill with no financial contribution from FIFA.

Why it matters

The high transit costs could price out many local fans from attending the World Cup matches, diminishing the economic and community benefits the region stands to gain from hosting the global event. Schumer is calling on FIFA, which is projected to earn $11 billion in revenue from the tournament, to help cover the transit expenses so the matches are accessible to a wider range of fans.

The details

NJ Transit train tickets to MetLife Stadium will cost $150 round-trip during the World Cup, up from the usual $12.90 fare. There will also be $80 shuttle services available. The total NJ Transit operation to move fans is projected to cost $62 million, with $11 million dedicated to security alone. The federal government is contributing $10.6 million and the local host committee is contributing just over $3 million, leaving NJ Transit to cover a $48 million bill with no financial contribution from FIFA.

  • The $150 NJ Transit fares will be in effect from June 13 to July 19, during the World Cup tournament.
  • Penn Station in New York City is scheduled to be partially closed for up to four hours before each World Cup match at MetLife Stadium, disrupting regular commuters and travelers eight times during the tournament.

The players

Chuck Schumer

A Democratic U.S. Senator from New York who is calling on FIFA to cover the high transit costs for fans attending World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.

Mikie Sherrill

The Governor of New Jersey who has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the World Cup games.

Heimo Schirgi

The FIFA World Cup Chief Operating Officer who issued a statement saying the high NJ Transit fares will have a "chilling effect" and push fans toward alternative transportation options, diminishing the economic benefits of hosting the World Cup.

Shawn Kolluri

A New Jersey Transit official who said the $48 million bill for the transit agency should not be subsidized by regular commuters, and that the fans attending the World Cup matches should bear the cost.

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What they’re saying

“The total NJ Transit operation to move fans to and from MetLife is projected to cost $62 million, with approximately $11 million dedicated to security alone. The federal government is contributing $10.6 million and the NY/NJ Host Committee is contributing just over $3 million, leaving NJ Transit to foot a $48 million bill with zero financial contribution from FIFA.”

— Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator

“The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect. Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup.”

— Heimo Schirgi, FIFA World Cup COO

What’s next

Senator Schumer is calling on FIFA to cover the full $150 NJ Transit fares for fans attending World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium. If FIFA does not agree to cover the costs, it could price out many local fans from attending the matches.

The takeaway

The high transit costs to attend World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium highlight the tension between the economic interests of the global soccer governing body FIFA and the needs of the local community hosting the event. Schumer's call for FIFA to cover the transit expenses reflects concerns that the steep fares could undermine the broader community and economic benefits the region hopes to gain from hosting the World Cup.