NY-NJ Hosts 8 World Cup Matches, Including July 19 Final
Updated
Updated · New York Post · Jun 11
NY-NJ Hosts 8 World Cup Matches, Including July 19 Final
3 articles · Updated · New York Post · Jun 11
Summary
MetLife Stadium—temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium—opens its World Cup run on June 13 and will stage eight matches, ending with the July 19 final in East Rutherford.
The wider region is building monthlong fan programming around those games, with free watch parties and entertainment in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, Jersey and Rockefeller Center.
Central Park will host a 40,000-person final watch party on July 19, with tickets distributed by lottery through Global Citizen from June 11 to July 16.
Travel and access plans are already set: NJ Transit train tickets from Penn Station cost $98, shuttle buses from Manhattan cost $20, and parking is limited to $225 spaces that are already sold out for the final.
Will the World Cup's promised economic legacy outlast the massive security and transportation disruptions?
With host cities pushing back, could this World Cup finally force a change in FIFA's controversial business model?
2026 FIFA World Cup in New York-New Jersey: Economic Impact, Logistics, and Lasting Legacy
Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City, while the U.S. and Canada begin hosting matches the next day. The New York New Jersey region, home to MetLife Stadium, is preparing for its major role by addressing challenges like match schedules, transportation logistics, and fan accessibility. The group stage runs until June 27, featuring key matches such as Panama versus England. As the region navigates these immediate concerns, it aims to ensure a smooth and accessible experience for fans and participants throughout the tournament.