FIFA World Cup 2026 in New York / New Jersey

Last updated: May 2026 — FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off June 11, 2026.

FIFA World Cup 2026 in New York / New Jersey brings world-class football to United States. MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford NJ) hosts multiple matches across the group stage and possibly into the knockouts. With 82,500 seats and full FIFA-standard facilities, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford NJ) is one of the 16 official venues for the 48-team tournament.

About MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford NJ)

Hosts the FINAL on July 19, 2026. Also hosts opening match for Group C (Brazil vs Morocco) and multiple knockout games.

Match Times in New York / New Jersey

New York / New Jersey operates in UTC-4. Match kickoff times at MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford NJ) fall in standard local time for New York / New Jersey — typically afternoon to evening for the majority of games. Fans traveling from other time zones can use our Kickoff Time Converter to see exact times in their home timezone and download the schedule to their calendar.

Tickets for Matches in New York / New Jersey

Match tickets for MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford NJ) are sold exclusively through FIFA's official ticket platform at FIFA.com/tickets. Pricing ranges from approximately 60 USD (Category 4, cheapest) to over 800 USD (Category 1, group stage) and 1,000-6,000+ USD for knockout-stage premium seats. Hospitality packages with food, drinks, and premium seating cost 3,500-20,000 USD per match. Avoid third-party resellers — only FIFA's official resale platform is sanctioned.

Travel and Accommodation for Fans

For fan tourists visiting New York / New Jersey, accommodation prices typically rise 2-3× during match weeks. Book hotels and rentals at least 90 days in advance for best rates. Public transit and rideshare services see massively increased demand — plan extra travel time. For trip-cost estimates including flights, hotels, tickets, and local expenses, use our Travel Cost Estimator.

What to Do in New York / New Jersey Beyond the Match

Most host cities are setting up FIFA Fan Zones with big screens, food, and entertainment for fans without match tickets. New York / New Jersey typically offers local football pubs, public viewing parties, and 24/7 atmosphere during World Cup weeks. Mix attending one match with fan-zone viewing for several others to experience the tournament without buying tickets for every game.

Useful Tools for Your New York / New Jersey Trip

Use our suite of free FIFA World Cup 2026 tools: Kickoff Time Converter for the schedule, Bracket Maker for predictions, Watch Party Planner for hosting friends, and Office Pool Generator for workplace sweepstakes.

MetLife Stadium for World Cup 2026 — Including the Final

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (capacity 82,500 for FIFA) hosts 8 World Cup matches between June 13 and July 19, 2026 — including 6 group-stage, 1 Quarter-final, 1 Semi-final, and most importantly the World Cup 2026 Final on July 19. The Giants and Jets share the stadium, but FIFA's 'NY/NJ Stadium' branding strips both NFL identities. The 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII (Seattle vs Denver), Copa America 2016 final (Argentina vs Chile), and numerous Concacaf and CONMEBOL matches have been held here. The Final will likely draw 1.5 billion global TV viewers — the most-watched single sports event on Earth.

World Cup 2026 Matches in NY/NJ — Full Schedule

MetLife Stadium's 8 matches: June 13 (Group C, Brazil vs Morocco, 12 PM ET), June 16 (Group E, Germany vs Ecuador, 6 PM ET), June 20 (Group L, Croatia vs Panama, 12 PM ET), June 23 (Group F, Netherlands vs Sweden, 7 PM ET), June 25 (Group E, Ecuador vs Germany, 4 PM ET — final group match), July 7 (Quarter-final), July 14 (Semi-final), July 19 (THE FINAL, 3 PM ET). The Final's 3 PM ET kickoff is designed for European prime-time (8 PM in the UK, 9 PM in Germany/Spain/Italy) — maximizing global broadcast revenue.

Getting to MetLife Stadium from NYC

NJ Transit's Meadowlands Rail Line runs special trains from Penn Station NYC and Secaucus Junction — direct to MetLife Stadium station ($5.25 from Penn Station, 25 minutes). Trains run every 5-10 minutes for 3 hours before kickoff and 90 minutes after. From Newark Liberty Airport (EWR), take NJ Transit Northeast Corridor to Secaucus Junction, transfer to Meadowlands train — 35 minutes, $7.75 total. Driving: stadium parking $50-100, overflow lots $30-60. Hotels: Sheraton Lincoln Harbor ($379/night during WC, $189 normally), Sonesta Simply Suites Secaucus ($249), Element Harrison ($229). Manhattan stays are 30-45 min via NJ Transit + subway. For the Final (July 19), expect prices to triple.

NYC Fan Culture + Watch Party Venues

New York City is the most football-passionate large American market, driven by NYCFC's (MLS) supporters group The Third Rail, Red Bulls' Empire Supporters Club, and the largest concentration of European/Latin American immigrants in North America. Free public viewing zones: Bryant Park (Manhattan), Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 1 lawn, Astoria Park (Queens), Fort Greene Park (Brooklyn), McCarren Park (Williamsburg), Highbridge Park (Bronx). FanFest NYC is at Pier 26 / Hudson River Park — free, all 104 matches. The Garment District around Bryant Park transforms into the city's de facto European fan hub (Irish, British, German, Italian bars within walking distance). Queens neighborhoods host country-specific watch parties: Jackson Heights (Colombia, Ecuador), Astoria (Greece, Italy), Flushing (Korea, China), Sunnyside (Ireland). For the July 19 Final, FanFest tickets will be free but require reservation — past Finals have drawn 20,000+ to NYC public viewing alone.

More Questions About FIFA World Cup 2026

Where is the World Cup 2026 Final?

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3 PM ET. Capacity 82,500. Final kickoff at 3 PM ET is designed for European prime-time (8 PM UK, 9 PM Germany/Spain/Italy).

How do I get from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium?

NJ Transit Meadowlands Rail Line — special trains run direct from Penn Station NYC to MetLife Stadium station. $5.25, 25 minutes, every 5-10 minutes before kickoff and 90 minutes after. Trains do NOT run on non-match days.

Will there be public viewing of the Final in New York?

Yes — FanFest NYC at Pier 26 / Hudson River Park will host the Final with multiple giant screens. Free entry but reservation required for Semi-finals and Final. Bryant Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Astoria Park also host community watch parties throughout the tournament.