NJ Transit to Close Penn Station for World Cup Matches

Commuters will need to find alternate routes during the eight games at MetLife Stadium.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:09pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the chaotic scene of World Cup fans and commuters at a crowded Penn Station, with sharp geometric planes and overlapping perspectives conveying the disruption and logistical challenges.The impending closure of NJ Transit's section of Penn Station during World Cup matches will force commuters to navigate a complex web of alternate transportation options.NYC Today

NJ Transit has announced plans to close its section of Penn Station to all but World Cup-bound trains four hours before the eight matches held at Met Life Stadium this summer. Only fans with specially printed tickets will be permitted to enter NJ Transit's section of Penn Station during those hours due to heightened security surrounding the major world tournament.

Why it matters

The restricted access on World Cup match days will cause significant disruptions for New Jersey commuters, who will need to find alternate routes to and from work for several days this summer. This is due to the massive security presence and logistics required to transport 40,000 people per game, 28,000 of whom will come from New York and almost all through Penn Station.

The details

NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri stated that the eight FIFA World Cup games at MetLife Stadium are "the most important security event we're ever going to see in the nation," with the President of the United States and 14 dignitaries or heads of state attending. To accommodate the influx of fans, NJ Transit is obligated to move 40,000 people per game, 28,000 of whom will come from New York and almost all through Penn Station. As a result, NJ Transit will close its section of Penn Station to all but World Cup-bound trains four hours before each of the eight matches.

  • The restricted access will be in effect four hours before the eight World Cup matches held at MetLife Stadium this summer, beginning on June 13.
  • Four of the World Cup games will take place on the weekend, but there are also some weekday matches set for the early afternoon that could disrupt the evening rush hour.

The players

Kris Kolluri

The President and CEO of NJ Transit, who testified about the security plans and transportation logistics for the World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.

MetLife Stadium

The venue that will host eight of the World Cup matches, which is located in New Jersey and served by NJ Transit's section of Penn Station.

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What they’re saying

“The eight FIFA games that we are going to conduct at MetLife Stadium is arguably the most important security event we're ever going to see in the nation. Not just because the president of the United States is going to be there, but something like 14 dignitaries or heads of state will be there, we have essentially three security perimeters that establish the route for somebody with a FIFA ticket to take from New York. New Jersey Transit is obligated to move 40,000 people per game, 28,000 of those will come from New York and almost all will come through Penn Station.”

— Kris Kolluri, NJ Transit President and CEO

What’s next

NJ Transit will soon announce alternate transportation plans for non-World Cup riders at Penn Station, likely redirecting them to Amtrak, NJ Transit buses, PATH trains or ferries to New Jersey. Those plans are still being finalized and are expected to be announced in the next few weeks.

The takeaway

The heightened security and logistical challenges of hosting the World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium will have a significant impact on New Jersey commuters, who will need to find alternative routes to and from work for several days this summer. This underscores the massive scale and complexity of hosting a major international sporting event, even in a metropolitan area with robust public transportation infrastructure.