New York Senator and Governor intervene as fury over World Cup transportation costs escalates

Martin Macdonald

• 15 Apr 2026 10:01 CDT
• 3 min read

News

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Senator Chuck Schumer have both released statements criticising the exorbitant prices for travel to the MetLife Stadium from New York City during the World Cup.

On Tuesday, the Athletic confirmed that a bus ride from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium could cost as much as $100 for the 18-mile trip.

The normal fee for that trip is around $12.90 so those travelling to World Cup matches from New York are paying nearly eight times as much for the same distance.

The news comes after the fury at the Boston World Cup committee's decision to offer $95 return tickets to and from the Gillette Stadium during the tournament, as they received criticism for increasing the prices tenfold for train tickets to and from the stadium.

Hochul posted on X: The World Cup should be as affordable and accessible as possible. Charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me. That’s not happening on the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority)."

Schumer, meanwhile, believes FIFA should subsidise the travel costs of World Cup fans, having left additional costs at the door of local authorities.

"FIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer's World Cup, yet New York area commuters and residents are being handed the bill. NJ Transit may be forced to charge fans an eye-popping $100-plus for a train ride that normally costs $13, because FIFA's hosting agreement dumps added transportation and security costs onto states and cities while FIFA keeps the revenue from tickets, broadcasting, and concessions," the New York Senator said.

"That is not a partnership, that is a shakedown because World Cup tickets already cost fans a fortune. The least FIFA can do is ensure that New York residents can enter the stadium without being gouged at the turnstile. I am calling on FIFA to step up and cover transportation costs for host cities and states. New York commuters and residents should not subsidize an $11 billion windfall."

Unless FIFA intervenes, it appears like these costs will remain and there are no concessions for children, senior citizens or disabled people, with all tickets costing $100.

NJ Transit told NY1 in a statement:

“The ticket prices for match day travel have not been finalized. However, as the governor has clearly stated, the cost for the eight matches will not be borne by our regular commuters. we can confirm that the overall cost to the agency is approximately $48 million for the eight matches.”

Residents respond

Several local citizens reacted to the new prices to NY1.

Jorge Rios, a New Jersey resident: That’s honestly outrageous, like I can't picture myself paying 100 bucks, like the tickets are already pricey enough and paying that much just for the transportation is insane."

Topher Hegngi, an employee of Major League Soccer: “Everybody wants to feel that energy. I’ve been to multiple World Cups in different countries, and you see what those countries do to enable their fans to be able to watch the game. It sucks to even see, you know, that happening. It's further making it harder for people to be able to enjoy one of the most beautiful spectacles the world has to offer."

Chris Bilgore, a Brooklyn resident: “You’re already paying an arm and a leg for those tickets. It costs a lot to go see those games. But there should be no reason that anyone should be charging $100 for a train ticket.”

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill: “One of the key things I wanted to make sure of was that we were not going to be paying for moving people who are viewing the World Cup on the backs of New Jersey taxpayers and New Jersey commuters."

Whether it be for plane tickets, match tickets, accommodation, travel to matches or even World Cup fanzones, this is set to be the most expensive tournament in history for fans.

At the time of writing, there are World Cup tickets available on resale platforms for as much as $11,000.

On average, match tickets are around three times more expensive that the last World Cup in Qatar.

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