How to Get to MetLife Stadium for the World Cup
There is no general parking at MetLife Stadium. That is the single most important thing to know. The stadium lot is reserved for FIFA operations. NJ Transit is how most of the 82,500 fans per match will arrive. This guide covers every transportation option from a North Jersey resident's perspective.
What are the key numbers for World Cup transportation?
These are the figures that matter. Memorize the first three.
NJ Transit round trip
Stadium parking (none available)
American Dream parking (limited)
Official shuttle round trip
NJ Transit riders per game day
Arrive early (recommended)
What is the NJ Transit route to MetLife Stadium?
NJ Transit operates the Meadowlands line for all World Cup matches. The fare is $98 round trip. This is a special event fare, not the regular price. Capacity is 40,000 riders per game day. Buy tickets in advance through the NJ Transit app or website. Paper tickets may sell out.
The Main Route
Step 1: Penn Station NYC
Board NJ Transit toward Secaucus Junction. Trains run frequently on match days. 4 hours before kickoff, NJ-bound trains from Penn Station are restricted to World Cup ticket holders only.
Step 2: Secaucus Junction
Transfer to the Meadowlands line. This is the bottleneck. The transfer platform gets crowded. Follow the signs and staff directions. Do not try to rush. Everyone is going to the same place.
Step 3: Meadowlands Sports Complex
The station is adjacent to MetLife Stadium. Walk from the platform to the stadium gates. Total travel time from Penn Station: 30 to 45 minutes, depending on wait times.
The 4-hour restriction.
Starting 4 hours before kickoff, NJ Transit restricts NJ-bound trains from Penn Station to ticket holders only. This means if a match kicks off at 6:00 PM, non-ticket-holders cannot board NJ-bound trains at Penn Station after 2:00 PM. Plan accordingly if you are commuting home through Penn Station on a match day.
What if I do not want to go through Penn Station?
Penn Station will be the most crowded starting point. North Jersey residents have alternatives that avoid the Manhattan bottleneck entirely.
Secaucus Junction (Park and Ride)
Drive to Secaucus Junction and park there. Transfer directly to the Meadowlands line without going through Penn Station. This is the best option for North Jersey drivers who want to skip Manhattan entirely. Parking at the station fills early on match days. Arrive 3 to 4 hours before kickoff.
Hoboken Terminal
NJ Transit trains from Hoboken connect to Secaucus Junction. Hoboken Terminal is also reachable by NY Waterway ferry from Manhattan (Midtown West 39th St and Downtown Brookfield Place). If you are coming from Manhattan, the ferry to Hoboken then train to Secaucus avoids Penn Station.
Newark Penn Station
NJ Transit from Newark Penn to Secaucus Junction is one stop. If you are in the Ironbound for a pre-match meal, walk to Newark Penn (10 minutes from Ferry Street) and board from there. Avoids NYC Penn Station entirely.
Is there a shuttle bus to MetLife Stadium?
Yes. An official shuttle service operates from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine to MetLife Stadium. The round trip costs $80. You park your car at the school and ride the shuttle to the stadium. This is a separate service from NJ Transit with its own ticketing.
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine Shuttle
$80 round trip. Park at the school campus in Nutley/Clifton. The shuttle runs before and after each match. Book in advance. Capacity is limited. This is a good option if you are driving from western Bergen County or Passaic County and do not want to deal with NJ Transit at all.
Can I take Uber or Lyft to MetLife Stadium?
You can, but the drop-off point is not at the stadium. Rideshare is geofenced to Meadowlands Racing (the racetrack area), not the MetLife Stadium entrance. Plan for a 15 to 20 minute walk from the drop-off point to the stadium gates. After the match, the pickup area will be chaotic. Surge pricing is guaranteed.
The walk is real.
15 to 20 minutes on foot from the rideshare zone to the stadium is the reality. Wear comfortable shoes. This is not a quick hop out of the car. The geofencing exists because stadium-adjacent roads are closed for FIFA security and pedestrian flow.
Where can I park near MetLife Stadium for the World Cup?
There is no general parking at MetLife Stadium. The entire stadium lot is reserved for FIFA operations, the fan village, media, and shuttle buses. This is different from regular NFL or concert events where you can tailgate in the lot. That is not happening for the World Cup.
American Dream Mall ($225)
The only available parking near the stadium. Limited spots. The mall is adjacent to the Meadowlands complex. $225 is expensive but it is the only drive-and-walk option. The mall also hosts the Dream FanFest, so you can arrive early and explore before heading to the stadium.
Secaucus Junction (Park and Ride)
Park at the station and take the Meadowlands train. Cheaper than American Dream but the parking lot has limited capacity. Arrive early. You still need the $98 NJ Transit ticket on top of parking.
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (Shuttle)
Park at the school campus and take the $80 shuttle. Combined cost of parking plus shuttle is still less than American Dream's $225.
What should I know before heading to MetLife on match day?
Eight matches at MetLife Stadium means eight chances to learn these lessons. Here is what matters.
Buy NJ Transit tickets in advance
Use the NJ Transit app. Do not plan on buying at the station. Ticket machines will have lines. The app lets you activate your ticket when you are ready to board.
Arrive 3+ hours before kickoff
This is not optional. Security screening, walking from the train platform, finding your section. The fan village opens hours before the match and is worth exploring. Late arrival means missing the opening minutes while stuck in a security line.
Expect 1 to 2 hour delays after the match
82,500 people leaving at once. NJ Transit runs extra trains but the platform capacity is finite. Staying in your seat or walking through the fan village for 30 to 60 minutes after the final whistle reduces your wait significantly.
The 4-hour Penn Station restriction
Non-ticket-holders cannot board NJ-bound trains at Penn Station starting 4 hours before kickoff. If your daily commute goes through Penn Station, plan an alternative route home on match days.
Bring water and wear comfortable shoes
Walking distances are longer than a typical MetLife event. The rideshare walk is 15 to 20 minutes. The train platform to your seat can be 15 minutes. Standing in line adds more. June and July heat in the Meadowlands is real.
Which matches are at MetLife Stadium?
Eight matches total. Five group-stage games, one Round of 32, one Round of 16, and the Final.
| Date | Time | Match | Transit Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat Jun 13 | 6:00 PM | Brazil vs Morocco | Saturday evening. Peak crowds. Leave by 3:00 PM. |
| Tue Jun 16 | 3:00 PM | France vs Senegal | Weekday afternoon. Penn Station restriction starts 11:00 AM. |
| Mon Jun 22 | 8:00 PM | Norway vs Senegal | Monday night. Late return. Plan for midnight arrival home. |
| Thu Jun 25 | 4:00 PM | Ecuador vs Germany | Weekday afternoon. Similar to France vs Senegal timing. |
| Sat Jun 27 | 5:00 PM | Panama vs England | Saturday. England fans traveling in numbers. Expect heavy trains. |
| Tue Jun 30 | 5:00 PM | Round of 32 | Knockout round. Teams TBD. |
| Sun Jul 5 | 4:00 PM | Round of 16 | Sunday afternoon. July 4th weekend crowds in the area. |
| Sun Jul 19 | 3:00 PM | THE FINAL | The biggest day. Leave at noon. No exceptions. |