Transport fares linked to the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States have been scaled back following widespread criticism from football fans over what they described as inflated pricing for match-day travel.
According to BBC Sport, initial transport costs to venues such as MetLife Stadium—which will be known during the tournament as the New York/New Jersey Stadium—had sparked backlash after rail and shuttle bus fares were announced at significantly higher-than-usual levels.
In response to the outcry, authorities confirmed reductions to the proposed fares. Rail tickets, previously priced at $98 (about £73), have now been lowered, while shuttle bus fares have also been reduced from $20 (around £15).
The stadium is set to stage eight matches during the competition, including an England group-stage fixture and a semi-final.
Earlier, Thomas Concannon, who serves as the Football Supporters’ Association’s England fan representative, strongly criticised the initial pricing, calling it “astronomical,” and saying it was “completely out of the norm” compared with regular transport costs.
For context, a standard return train journey from Manhattan’s Penn Station to the stadium is usually about $12.90 (roughly £9.50), underscoring the gap between normal fares and the original World Cup pricing structure.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill explained that the revised pricing would be supported through commercial sponsorship, stressing that no state taxpayer funds would be used.
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She added that the adjustments were intended to improve affordability for supporters attending matches.
“Good news: Ahead of NJ Transit World Cup train tickets going sayon sale, NJ Transit is lowering ticket prices to `$98 without New Jersey taxpayer money.
“Thank you to our partners for helping make this possible,” Sherrill said.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also expressed approval of the fare reductions, stating that the tournament should remain financially accessible to fans.
She further announced a 75% reduction in round-trip bus fares and confirmed that some tickets would be allocated specifically to New York residents.
Despite the changes in New Jersey, concerns persist about transport pricing in other host cities. Supporters travelling to Foxborough, Boston, are expected to face notably higher-than-usual travel costs.
Fans from England and Scotland are among those most affected, with matches scheduled across multiple host cities in the United States.
The fare revisions come amid ongoing scrutiny of travel arrangements and overall affordability as preparations continue for the expanded global tournament across North America.