Transport fares for fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup in U.S. host cities are soaring ahead of the tournament.
The price surges place a significant financial burden on traveling supporters and create a funding dispute between local transit authorities and the global governing body of soccer.
In major host cities including New York and Boston, train fares on match days have seen a six-fold increase [1]. Some tickets to the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, reached as high as $150 [2]. Following backlash from fans, those train ticket prices were reduced to $98 [3], and shuttle-bus fares were cut to $20 [3].
New Jersey Transit is facing significant operational pressure as the MetLife Stadium prepares to host eight matches [1]. The agency estimates that the tournament will result in $50 million in extra expenses [1].
Officials from New Jersey Transit said FIFA should help fund these added costs. The request comes as FIFA is projected to earn $11 billion in profit from the 2026 tournament [1].
FIFA has declined the request for financial assistance. A representative for the organization said transportation costs are the responsibility of host communities [1].
The surge in prices is driven by a combination of limited existing capacity and a massive increase in demand for travel on match days [1]. This has left host cities to manage the logistics of moving thousands of fans without direct financial support from the tournament organizers.
“Train fares on match days have seen a six-fold increase”
The conflict highlights a recurring tension in mega-event hosting, where the financial windfall is concentrated within the organizing body while the infrastructure and operational costs are externalized to local taxpayers and commuters. As FIFA projects record profits, the refusal to subsidize transit may lead to further friction between the organization and the U.S. cities providing the essential logistics for the event.
