World Cup Fans Face Steep Train Fare Hikes in New Jersey

Prices for rail travel to matches in Newark have spiked from $13 to $150 per ticket.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:51pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a chaotic train platform scene, with geometric shapes and planes of bright colors representing the rush of soccer fans trying to reach a World Cup venue.Steep train fare hikes price out many fans from attending World Cup matches in New Jersey.Newark Today

Soccer fans attending World Cup matches at venues in the United States this spring will face exorbitant costs beyond just the event tickets themselves. In Newark, New Jersey, the price for train travel to the stadium has skyrocketed from the typical $13 fare to a staggering $150 per ticket.

Why it matters

The steep price hikes for public transportation could price out many casual fans and families from being able to attend World Cup matches, limiting access to the global event and potentially impacting ticket sales and attendance numbers at the Newark venue.

The details

The dramatic increase in train fares to the World Cup stadium in Newark is being attributed to high demand, limited capacity, and transportation companies seeking to capitalize on the influx of international soccer fans. Local officials have expressed concerns about the affordability and accessibility issues this could create for the global event.

  • The World Cup matches in Newark, New Jersey are scheduled for May and June 2026.

The players

Newark, New Jersey

A city in New Jersey that is hosting several 2026 World Cup matches.

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What’s next

Local transportation authorities are exploring options to provide more affordable transit alternatives for World Cup fans, but solutions may be limited given the high demand.

The takeaway

The exorbitant train fare hikes in Newark highlight the broader challenge of hosting a global event like the World Cup, where organizers must balance commercial interests with accessibility and affordability for fans.