“Horribly high” transportation prices in America during the 2026 World Cup

Football fans expressed their deep dissatisfaction with the exorbitant prices of public transportation to reach the sites of the 2026 World Cup matches, following reports that American transportation authorities had raised prices specifically for this summer’s World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico.
According to a report published by The Athletic, the New Jersey Transportation Authority intends to charge fans more than $100 for travel tickets from Penn Station in Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey during the World Cup.
The price of a round-trip ticket is usually $12.90.
The Massachusetts Transportation Authority confirmed this month that the price of round-trip tickets from Boston to Gillette Stadium will be $80, up from $20 on game day.
“This is shameful. In recent tournaments, transportation was either included in the ticket price or offered at very discounted prices to ticket holders,” Guillaume Obreiter, spokesman for the French National Team Fans Association, told AFP.
He added, “They continue to pile up additional costs without any consideration for the fans,” accusing the International Football Association (FIFA) of excluding “the most loyal fans in favor of the wealthy.”
France will play its three matches in Group A in Boston and New Jersey.
The Free Lions, a group of England fans, wrote on social media: “Another day, another exploitation at this World Cup. What the heck is going on?”
The England national team is also scheduled to play its group stage matches in Boston and New Jersey.

New Jersey Governor Mickey Sherrill held FIFA responsible for the high prices, pointing to a $48 million bill facing the state to ensure the safety of fans heading to the eight matches at MetLife Stadium.
“I will not bear these costs for New Jersey passengers for years to come. This is not fair,” Cheryl wrote on social media, adding that the International Federation is expected to reap $11 billion in revenue from the World Cup.
She added, “The bottom line: The International Federation must cover the transportation costs, otherwise I will not allow the exploitation of the people of New Jersey.”
This opinion was supported by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who wrote on social media on Tuesday that FIFA should bear the costs of transportation to the World Cup stadiums.
The International Federation, which faces severe criticism due to the high ticket prices for many matches, issued a strongly worded statement criticizing the increase in transport prices.
He said the original agreements with the host cities “stipulated that fans be provided with free transportation to all matches.”
The International Federation added that the renegotiation stipulated providing transportation “at cost” on match days, and “we are very surprised by the position of the New Jersey Governor regarding the transportation of fans.”
He continued, “The World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America, with the resulting economic effects.”
“FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at the New York-New Jersey Stadium, including other major sporting events, world concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation,” he explained.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was among the critics of the announced price increase.
“It seems to me that charging more than $100 for a short train trip is too high,” Hochul wrote on X.
The New Jersey Transportation Authority did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.