The World Cup 2026 New York / New Jersey programme is the tournament’s grand finale: eight matches at MetLife Stadium, crowned by the World Cup Final on Sunday 19 July 2026 — the biggest single sporting event the region has ever staged. But MetLife is also the most logistically demanding venue of the tournament: no parking, no walking in, and transit tickets that sell out. This guide covers the full match schedule, exactly how to get to East Rutherford, the fan zones across the five boroughs and New Jersey, and what to do with your bags.
World Cup 2026 New York / New Jersey Match Schedule
New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) hosts five group-stage matches and three knockout fixtures:
| Date | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 13 June | Brazil vs Morocco (6pm) | Group Stage |
| Tue 16 June | France vs Senegal (3pm) | Group Stage |
| Mon 22 June | Norway vs Senegal (8pm) | Group Stage |
| Thu 25 June | Ecuador vs Germany (4pm) | Group Stage |
| Sat 27 June | Panama vs England (5pm) | Group Stage |
| 30 June – 5 July | Round of 32 tie | Knockout |
| 5 – 9 July | Round of 16 tie | Knockout |
| Sun 19 July | The World Cup Final | Final |
Getting to MetLife Stadium: Plan Ahead or Miss Kickoff
There is no general parking, no tailgating and no walking in for any of the eight matches. Your options:
NJ Transit rail is the primary route: trains from Penn Station New York via Secaucus Junction to Meadowlands. Round-trip World Cup tickets cost $105, are capped at 40,000 per match, require pre-purchase via the NJ Transit app, and from four hours before kickoff the line is reserved for match ticket holders. Shuttle buses from Manhattan run at $20 round trip after the original $80 price was slashed. Book either as soon as you have match tickets — the Final’s allocation will vanish.
Bag rules: FIFA’s clear bag policy applies (clear bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, small clutches up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches), and MetLife has no bag check. Full details in the MetLife Stadium bag policy guide.
Fan Zones Across New York and New Jersey
The celebration spreads across the whole region: the Fan Village at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, the Jersey Fan Hub at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison with live match viewings and cultural programming, plus dedicated fan zones in Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Wherever you’re based, there’s a big screen within a subway ride — check nynjfwc26.com for daily programming.
Luggage Storage in New York for the World Cup
With no bag check at MetLife and strict limits on what crosses the security line, sort your bags before you leave Manhattan. Radical Storage has 250+ verified locations across New York from $6 per bag per day, with no size limits and a $3,000 guarantee per item. The most useful for match days:
- Penn Station — 225 W 34th St, open 9am–11pm, two minutes from where NJ Transit World Cup trains depart.
- Port Authority — 555 8th Ave, by the Manhattan shuttle bus departures.
- Grand Central — 153 E 43rd St, for Midtown East stays and the Rockefeller Fan Village.
Where to Stay and What to See Between Matches
Stay near Penn Station / Midtown West for the simplest match-day logistics — you’re on top of the NJ Transit departures and the shuttle hub. Hoboken and Jersey City offer better value with quick PATH connections. For the Final weekend, book months ahead and expect peak pricing. Between matches you have the world’s most famous to-do list: Central Park mornings, the High Line, Broadway evenings, and a ferry past the Statue of Liberty — all easier with your bags stored.
Frequently Asked Questions
At New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday 19 July 2026. There is no spectator parking — all fans arrive by NJ Transit rail or official shuttle.
Eight: five group-stage matches between 13 and 27 June (including Brazil vs Morocco and Panama vs England), a Round of 32 tie, a Round of 16 tie, and the Final on 19 July.
NJ Transit round-trip World Cup tickets cost $105, capped at 40,000 per match and sold via the NJ Transit app. Shuttle buses from Manhattan cost $20 round trip after the original price was reduced.
The Fan Village at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, the Jersey Fan Hub at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, and fan zones in Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island.
Radical Storage has 250+ locations across New York from $6 per bag per day — including by Penn Station (where World Cup trains depart), Port Authority and Grand Central — each covered by a $3,000 guarantee. MetLife Stadium itself has no bag check.
