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80,000 Fans Flood MetLife; Transport Costs Soar

6/17/2026

27 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Fans Arrive

Over 80,000 soccer fans arrived at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the opening World Cup match on Saturday.
The Host Committee expects most fans to use trains, shuttles or ride-share because parking is limited.
Midtown Manhattan train tickets cost $98, about seven times the usual fare, while shuttles charge $20.
Four New York Times reporters raced from Midtown Manhattan to the stadium by train, bus, ride-share and bicycle.

Summary

NYC Enforces Gridlock

NYC declared a Gridlock Alert Day for June 16, restricting West 42nd Street to FIFA, shuttle and MTA buses.
A 30-block truck ban from 30th to 60th Streets runs 9 a.m.–8 p.m., except cargo bikes.
NJ Transit opened a dedicated Penn Station entrance at Sixth and Seventh Avenues at 11 a.m.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani added NJ Transit capacity, urged early ticket purchases, and dismissed Jersey City schools at 12:45 p.m. to ease traffic.

Summary

NYC Preps

NYC Ferry service has been increased for summer demand on World Cup match days.
Citi Bike will operate normally on match days, offering commuters an alternative.
Bus lanes on five Manhattan streets will be reserved for stadium shuttles, MTA buses, World Cup vehicles and emergency services from six hours before kickoff until three hours after.
Congestion pricing remains on match days, so drivers still pay Manhattan tolls.

History

Historical Context

In 2012 London secured the Summer Olympics, leading Transport for London and the Olympic Delivery Authority to revamp the city’s transit. They extended the East London Line, upgraded the DLR and North London Line, introduced the Olympic Javelin and added about 4,000 extra train trips, delivering roughly 240,000 passenger-hour capacity. This overhaul became a model for later hosts such as New York’s 2026 World Cup plans.

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Fans Arrive

Over 80,000 soccer fans arrived at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the opening World Cup match on Saturday.
The Host Committee expects most fans to use trains, shuttles or ride-share because parking is limited.
Midtown Manhattan train tickets cost $98, about seven times the usual fare, while shuttles charge $20.
Four New York Times reporters raced from Midtown Manhattan to the stadium by train, bus, ride-share and bicycle.

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