World Cup 2026 New York Travel Guide
MetLife Stadium is 25 minutes from Times Square by NJ Transit, and the world's most iconic city is your pre-match warm-up
Your World Cup City Guide
Look, getting around the tri-state area during a massive tournament takes some planning. That is why I put together this World Cup 2026 New York travel guide. I have stood in the NJ Transit lines at Penn Station, and I can tell you exactly what to expect when you head to MetLife Stadium. You get the world's most famous skyline as your backdrop, but you also get the logistical challenge of moving 82,500 fans across the Hudson River.
If you base yourself in Midtown Manhattan, you are right on top of the transit hub. But do not sleep on Hoboken or Jersey City if you want a shorter commute to the match and cheaper beers. The Ironbound District in Newark is also a massive hotspot for football culture and incredible Portuguese food. This World Cup 2026 New York travel guide covers the essentials you need to know before you land at Newark or JFK.
Here is what you need to lock down early:
- Book a hotel near Penn Station or a PATH train stop.
- Download the NJ Transit app before match day to buy your $7 to $10 tickets.
- Check the strict clear bag policy for stadium gates before you leave your hotel.
- Skip the rental car. Tailgating is huge at MetLife for NFL games, but parking passes for the tournament will be scarce and expensive.
You are in for an unbelievable trip. Get your transit sorted, book your room, and get ready for kickoff.
Quick Facts for Your Trip
Joe's Pizza
NYC-style pizza
Midtown
$200 to $400 per night
Central Park
Top attraction
NJ Transit match day trains run from Penn Station
Best transit tip
Matches at New York New Jersey Stadium
Every fixture this venue hosts at the FIFA World Cup 2026, group stage through to knockouts. Knockout team names lock in once the group standings are confirmed.
Sat, 13 Jun 2026
Tue, 16 Jun 2026
Mon, 22 Jun 2026
Thu, 25 Jun 2026
Sat, 27 Jun 2026
Tue, 30 Jun 2026
Sun, 05 Jul 2026
Sun, 19 Jul 2026
Schedule from the official FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture list. Always confirm kickoff times on FIFA.com before travelling.
Explore New York / New Jersey
Restaurants
Where to eat near the stadium and around the city
Best Restaurants in New York / New Jersey →
Getting Around
Getting to the city and around on matchday
Getting Around New York / New Jersey →
Hotels
Where to stay for the best World Cup experience
Best Hotels in New York / New Jersey →
Things to Do
Attractions, culture, and entertainment
Things to Do in New York / New Jersey →Best Restaurants
New York City has over 27,000 restaurants. You could eat a different meal every day for 74 years and never repeat. For World Cup fans, the best options are in Manhattan near Penn Station (your transit hub to MetLife Stadium) and across the river in Hoboken, New Jersey.
If you are staying closer to the stadium, do not miss the Ironbound District in Newark. It is packed with incredible Portuguese and Brazilian spots that go crazy during international matches. Otherwise, stick to the classics in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
- Joe's Pizza: $3.50 slices in Greenwich Village, cash only.
- Los Tacos No. 1: $4 to $5 tacos in Chelsea Market.
- Peter Luger Steak House: $130 porterhouse in Williamsburg, reserve weeks ahead.
Joe's Pizza
$Cash only. The plain cheese slice ($3.50) is the benchmark for NYC pizza. Open until 4 AM on weekends.
Los Tacos No. 1
$The adobo chicken and carne asada tacos ($4 to $5 each) are some of the best in Manhattan. Lines move fast.
Peter Luger Steak House
$$$Reserve weeks ahead. Cash only for the dining room. The porterhouse for two ($130) has been Brooklyn's signature meal since 1887.
Transport Guide
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is one of the best transit-served World Cup venues. NJ Transit runs direct match day trains from Penn Station Manhattan to the stadium in 20 to 25 minutes for $7 to $10. NYC Subway serves Penn Station from all over Manhattan and runs 24 hours a day.
NJ Transit match day trains run from Penn Station NYC directly to MetLife Stadium every 15 to 20 minutes starting 3 hours before kickoff. The journey takes 20 to 25 minutes and costs $7 to $10. Buy tickets on the NJ Transit app before boarding. Post-match trains run until all fans are cleared.
NYC Subway runs 24 hours a day, making it the only World Cup host city where you never have to worry about a last train. After NJ Transit brings you back to Penn Station, take any subway line home at any hour. Fare is $2.90 with OMNY or contactless payment.
From Newark Airport (EWR), take NJ Transit to Secaucus Junction, then the Meadowlands train. Total time about 40 minutes.
Best Neighborhoods
Most fans base themselves in Manhattan and take the train to the stadium. Midtown is the most convenient area, with Penn Station right there. Hoboken and Jersey City offer lower prices and quick PATH train access to NYC.
Midtown Manhattan
Tourist hub with Times Square, Broadway, and thousands of restaurants. Loud, expensive, and electric on match days.
$200 to $400 per night
Hoboken, NJ
Waterfront bars with Manhattan skyline views. Washington Street has great restaurants and a young crowd. Quieter and cheaper than Manhattan.
$150 to $250 per night
Long Island City, Queens
Modern hotels with Manhattan skyline views at 30% less than Midtown. One subway stop from Midtown on the 7 train.
$130 to $200 per night
Things to Do
You are in the greatest city on earth. Between matches, walk the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise, catch a show on Broadway (day-of tickets from $40 at the TKTS booth in Times Square), explore the street art in Bushwick, or take the Staten Island Ferry (free) for Statue of Liberty views.
Central Park
843 acres of green space in the middle of Manhattan. Rent a bike ($15 per hour) and ride from Columbus Circle to Harlem in 30 minutes.
The south end near 59th Street is the most popular. Head north past 72nd Street for quieter paths and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir.
Brooklyn Bridge Walk
The 1.1-mile walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn takes about 20 minutes. Finish with pizza at Juliana's in DUMBO, then catch the sunset over the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Go early morning or at sunset. Midday is packed with tourists. Start from the Manhattan side for the best skyline views.
The High Line
A 1.45-mile elevated park built on a former freight rail line on Manhattan's west side. Free to enter, with public art installations, food vendors, and views of the Hudson River.
Enter at Gansevoort Street (south end) and walk north to Hudson Yards. Stop at Chelsea Market on the way for food.
Explore New York / New Jersey Like a Local
Your match day starts well before kickoff. Get familiar with the best neighborhoods, food spots, and transport routes.
Inside MetLife Stadium
View transport, gates, food, and match day tips
View Stadium Guide →
