The basics:
- Preparations in homestretch with less than a month until 2026 FIFA World Cup
- NJ Transit World Cup rail fares reduced to $98
- Fan festivals and watch parties expanding statewide
- FIFA announces first-ever World Cup final halftime show
Preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued to intensify across New Jersey and the broader host region. A series of new announcements tied to transportation, fan experiences, technology initiatives and entertainment surround the upcoming tournament, which has its first match at MetLife Stadium on June 13.
Among the most significant recent development was another reduction in NJ Transit’s dedicated World Cup rail pricing. After initially proposing a $150 round-trip fare for service to MetLife Stadium, NJ Transit first reduced the cost to $105 before announcing this week that fares would drop again to $98.
According to NJ Transit, the reduced fare was made possible through advertising partnerships with companies including DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries and New Jersey American Water, which collectively helped offset ticket costs by roughly 35%.
Ticket sales now live
“In one month, millions from around the world will gather in our region for one of the largest sporting events in history – and New Jersey is ready to welcome them,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement. “I have been clear: hosting the World Cup cannot come at the expense of New Jersey taxpayers. Since FIFA still will not cover the cost of transporting its fans despite making $13 billion from the World Cup, we are finding a solution that protects our residents.
“Thanks to strong partnerships with private sponsors, we’re driving down the cost of transit and delivering a plan that supports this historic moment without placing any additional burden on NJ TRANSIT riders or New Jersey families.”
I have been clear: hosting the World Cup cannot come at the expense of New Jersey taxpayers.
– Gov. Mikie Sherrill
NJ Transit said World Cup rail tickets are now available exclusively through the agency’s redesigned mobile app, which launched this week as part of its broader Rapid Action Plan initiative. Officials said tickets will not be sold at ticket vending machines or station ticket offices, and inventory will be capped at 40,000 tickets per matchday.
Transportation planning has emerged as one of the most closely watched elements of the region’s World Cup preparations as officials attempt to move massive crowds while avoiding major disruptions to commuters and residents.
Tax package status
During her May 14 “Ask Governor Sherrill” program on News 12 New Jersey, Sherrill also acknowledged that a proposed temporary World Cup-related tax package tied to the Meadowlands region is unlikely to move forward in the Legislature.
More World Cup prep
- NJ restaurants, bars gear up for 2026 FIFA World Cup crowds
- Bohler helps Pingry secure spot as World Cup practice base
The proposal would have temporarily increased the state sales tax within the Meadowlands District to 9.6% (up from 6.6%) during the tournament period while also adding a hotel surcharge and rideshare fee designed to help offset security, transportation and hosting costs associated with the World Cup.
Sherrill said the proposal was intended to help generate revenue from visitors traveling to the region for the event without placing additional burdens on New Jersey residents, who would have been eligible for tax credits tied to the temporary increase.
“I don’t think the Legislature is going to move forward on that, but we’re still in talks and some were very supportive of it,” Sherrill said during the program. “But as a whole, I think we might just turn our focus on some of those fan zones that we have, 34 across the state, and really focusing on driving our economy that way, and having small businesses really gain the benefits of so many visitors.”
Statewide celebrations
Earlier this month, the administration announced $5 million in grants supporting 34 organizations that will host fan zones, festivals, street fairs and watch parties across the state ahead of and during the tournament.
The initiative marked a shift away from an earlier concept centered on a single large Jersey City fan festival in favor of a broader statewide model aimed at spreading tourism activity and small-business benefits across New Jersey communities.
The statewide grant recipients included the Meadowlands Chamber-led “Flag Cities” series, the North to Shore Festival and Visit South Jersey activations in Camden County, along with dozens of community-based events planned across North, Central and South Jersey.
The “Flag Cities” World Cup fan festival series is expanding across North Jersey with additional host communities, sponsors and entertainment programming. Produced by Axiom Communications in partnership with the Meadowlands Chamber, the series added events in Bayonne and Paterson while announcing performers including Village People and Soulja Boy. Organizers said the expansion was supported in part by the state’s recently awarded $1.3 million World Cup grant funding. The initiative is expected to bring large-scale fan festivals featuring live match broadcasts, food vendors, beer gardens, cultural activations and entertainment to communities across Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Passaic counties.
Staying up to date
Meanwhile, New Jersey Institute of Technology launched a new public-facing World Cup digital hub aimed at helping visitors and residents navigate the tournament experience throughout the New York/New Jersey region.
The platform includes transit updates, restaurant recommendations, watch-party listings, event information and fan sentiment tools. Developed by NJIT students and faculty alongside mentors from technology firm CGI, the initiative represents another example of universities and private-sector partners building public-facing technology tied to the tournament.
Shuttle fares also slashed
On May 13, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee announced major upgrades to the Official NYNJ Stadium Shuttle bus system that will transport fans to and from matches at MetLife Stadium.
Under the revised plan, shuttle fares were slashed from the originally announced $80 round-trip price to $20 with support from New York State and sponsors.
Officials also expanded service capacity significantly, increasing available seats from 10,000 to as many as 18,000 for five matches and 12,000 for three matches.
The shuttle network will connect fans to MetLife Stadium from Port Authority Bus Terminal with additional pickup points in Midtown East and Midtown North. Exact pickup locations are expected to be announced to ticketholders in the coming weeks.
Discount details
To help expand capacity, organizers said additional yellow school buses were secured through Highland Electric Fleets with support from New York City School Bus Umbrella Services.
Fans who previously purchased shuttle tickets at the original $80 price point will automatically receive $60 refunds.
The Host Committee also announced that 20% of all shuttle tickets will be reserved exclusively for New York residents, with the remaining inventory available to all match-going fans.
“Creating a World Cup experience that is accessible for both fans visiting our region and the people who call New York and New Jersey home is a core priority for us,” said FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry. “We’re incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for helping us expand shuttle capacity and reduce roundtrip fares from $80 to $20. These improvements will provide an affordable and convenient transportation option while furthering our mission to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime event for residents and visitors alike.”
Hitting the road
The FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee also announced this week that it is bringing back its “Skyline to Shoreline Road Tour,” a traveling fan activation designed to build excitement throughout New York and New Jersey ahead of the tournament.
The mobile experience includes branded World Cup vehicles — including a fan-favorite double-decker bus and electric van — alongside soccer-themed games, giveaways, music, community programming and photo opportunities.
The Skyline to Shoreline Road Tour is officially rolling through New York New Jersey
! These FIFA World Cup 26 buses are full of games, giveaways, music, & more. Think of them as mobile fan zones bringing the World Cup energy right to you. #WeAre26 #Somos26 #WeAreNYNJ pic.twitter.com/6Xl8bZhLrZ
— FIFA World Cup 26
Fans attending tour stops can participate in activities including skee-ball, foosball, rebound board competitions, Tic Tac Goal, bench soccer and trophy statue photo activations with on-site photographers.
Upcoming New Jersey stops include:
- Bernards Township – May 16
- Maplewood – May 17
- A New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association event in Trenton – May 28
- West Orange – June 6
- A Bristol Myers Squibb community event in Princeton – June 10
Additional stops are planned at Citi Field, Hudson Yards and other locations throughout the summer.
The Host Committee said the tour is intended to bring the energy of the tournament directly into local communities throughout the region ahead of kickoff.
First halftime show in final history
In one of the week’s most high-profile announcements, FIFA and Global Citizen also revealed plans for the first halftime show in FIFA World Cup final history.
The July 19 championship match at MetLife Stadium — referred to internationally during the tournament as New York New Jersey Stadium — will feature performances by Madonna, Shakira and BTS in a globally televised halftime production curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
The show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to expand access to education and soccer opportunities for children worldwide. FIFA said $1 from every World Cup ticket sold will support the initiative.
The halftime production will also feature appearances by Sesame Street and Muppets characters as part of the broader education-focused campaign.
“Madonna, Shakira and BTS are global icons whose music transcends borders and generations, and we are proud to welcome them to the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “As the world comes together for the biggest match in football … this historic show will also shine a light on a greater purpose by supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and our shared mission to expand access to quality education and football opportunities for children worldwide. It will be a celebration of football, unity and shared humanity that will resonate far beyond the final whistle.”
With under a month until kickoff, things are getting real across New Jersey as World Cup activity continues to accelerate. For more coverage, read NJBIZ’s May 11 World Cup spotlight section and ongoing reporting at NJBIZ.com.
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