Leader Schumer Demands FIFA Cover Full Rail Cost For New Yorkers Attending World Cup; FIFA Will Raise Billions While Fans Are Hit With $150 Train Tickets

Schumer Says Charging New York Fans More Than Eleven Times The Normal Fare To Get To A World Cup Match Is A Ripoff, FIFA Must Step Up And Cover The Ride Now

Schumer Calls On FIFA To Immediately Commit Real Dollars To NJ Transit To Cover The Ride For New Yorkers Heading To MetLife, Prevent Fare Hikes On Everyday Riders, And Protect Penn Station Access On Match Days

New York, N.Y. - Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today called on FIFA to pay its fair share and cover the full cost of transportation for New Yorkers heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium, as FIFA is set to rake in approximately $11 billion in revenue off the tournament while New York fans are being hit with $150 NJ Transit round-trip tickets to get to the game.

The New York and New Jersey region will host eight FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium, including the Final on July 19th, 2026, and is expected to attract over 1.2 million fans to travel to the region during the tournament. NJ Transit announced last week that round-trip rail fares from New York Penn Station to MetLife Stadium will cost $150 on match days, more than eleven times the normal $12.90 round-trip fare. With FIFA eliminating parking at MetLife, prohibiting walking access, and charging fans $225 to park at the nearby American Dream Mall, mass transit is effectively the only way in or out of the stadium on match days.

The total NJ Transit operation to move fans to and from MetLife is projected to cost $62 million, with approximately $11 million dedicated to security alone. The federal government is contributing $10.6 million and the NY/NJ Host Committee is contributing just over $3 million, leaving NJ Transit to foot a $48 million bill with zero financial contribution from FIFA. Meanwhile, FIFA has told other host cities they can offer fans mass rail for as little as $2.50 per round trip, a fraction of what New York fans are being charged.

"Charging more than eleven times the normal fare for a train ride is a ripoff, plain and simple. FIFA is making billions from this World Cup, and fans are being hit with a $150 ticket before they even walk through the gate. FIFA is the one profiting from this World Cup, and we are expecting New York to host the majority of visitors watching these matches," said Leader Schumer. "New York and New Jersey are not just another host; we are the best host in the world. We are carrying more fans, more riders, and more disruption than any other region in this tournament. FIFA needs to step up accordingly. Past practice does not cut it when you are eliminating parking, shutting down Penn Station, and forcing every fan onto one transit system. FIFA should cover the ride, not stick New York fans with the bill."

FIFA's budgeted revenue for the 2023 to 2026 cycle is approximately $11 billion, a 71 percent increase over the previous cycle and the most lucrative World Cup in history. Despite FIFA's non-profit status, ticket prices for fans are hitting record levels, with group stage seats starting around $700 and Final tickets at MetLife running as high as $10,000 under FIFA's dynamic pricing model. Hospitality and ticket sales alone are budgeted to generate a record $3 billion for FIFA this cycle.

Additionally, Penn Station is scheduled to partially close for up to four hours before each World Cup match, disrupting access for regular commuters and travelers eight separate times over the course of the tournament.

Schumer pushed back on FIFA's argument that it has never historically contributed to public transportation costs, noting that the New York and New Jersey region is not a typical host. The region is hosting eight matches, including the Final, in the most densely populated area of the country and home to the busiest commuter rail network in America. Past practice, Schumer said, does not apply when the scale of the event, the volume of fans, and the level of disruption to everyday riders so far exceed what any other host city is being asked to absorb.

Schumer mentioned the Trump administration has failed to put its money where its mouth is regarding the World Cup. President Trump's FY 2026 budget requested zero dollars for World Cup transportation. Schumer fought for and secured $100 million in federal funding for host-city transportation, with approximately $10 million directed to the New York and New Jersey region, a fraction of the costs now being absorbed by NJ Transit.

"Trump cares more about being on international TV at midfield on match day than actually hosting successful games," Schumer concluded. "A successful World Cup means fans can get to the stadium without getting fleeced, and everyday New Yorkers are not locked out of Penn Station. That starts with FIFA paying its fair share."

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