Millions of residents in New Jersey and New York have been told to work from home this summer as the FIFA World Cup is set to send train ticket prices through the roof.
As the nation prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaders in New York and New Jersey have urged commuters to work from home on certain days in June and July to avoid rising prices and limited train tickets.
NJ Transit warned commuters that only 40,000 round-trip tickets from Penn Station in Manhattan to the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, would be sold per game.
The limited ticket availability is set to hike up prices of a round-trip to around $150 from its usual $12.90 price. The pricing hike was approved by Governor Mikie Sherrill as the event is set to cost NJ Transit around $48 million, NBC 4 reported.
'If you are not attending one of the events, please, if possible, work from home because the city will be incredibly congested and so will New Jersey,' Port Authority executive director Kathryn Garcia said at a press conference on Friday.
'I would also discourage anyone from taking a rideshare... We are going to do a lot of outreach to people coming through our airport to make sure they know about illegal taxis, but it also is for those in the city.
'We encourage you to use public transit if you can.'
Garcia warned that the 'back and forth is just going to be tough' as the area is preparing for thousands to descend onto MetLife Stadium, which is set to host eight matches from June 13 to July 19.
As the nation prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, New York and New Jersey officials urged commuters to work from home in June and July to avoid rising prices and limited train tickets to the MetLife Stadium (pictured) that is hosting matches
Port Authority executive director Kathryn Garcia warned that the 'back and forth is just going to be tough' as the area is preparing for thousands to descend onto MetLife Stadium
NJ Transit warned commuters that only 40,000 round-trip tickets from Penn Station in Manhattan to the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, would be sold per game. File photo of commuters at the Path Transit at 33rd Street in New York
Brazil versus Morocco is set to kick off the tournament in NJ on June 13 at 6pm ET. Then, France versus against Senegal on June 16 at 3pm ET. Norway kicks off against Senegal on June 22 at 8pm ET.
June 25 will see Ecuador versus Germany at 4pm ET before Panama faces off against England at 5pm ET on June 27. The subsequent rounds will take place on June 30 at 5pm ET, July 5 at 4pm ET and the World Cup Final on July 19 at 3pm ET.
Foot traffic is expected to soar around Penn Station for those traveling into New Jersey from the city and Long Island, as NJ Transit's section of Penn Station will be restricted to World Cup ticket holders for four hours before a match and three hours after.
'To reduce congestion and ensure safety, there will be no general spectator parking on stadium property on matchdays,' the NJ Transit website has warned.
'Access to the stadium will be limited to... official transportation options, and no private bus or charter operators will provide matchday service. Fans are strongly encouraged to plan ahead, purchase transportation in advance and follow official guidance.'
FIFA is projected to rake in around $11 billion from the summer event, government officials said, according to NBC 4.
State officials called on FIFA to put money toward the egregious bill set to hit New Jersey and New York, but the soccer organization said that has never been a part of the deal with a host city, the outlet reported.
The tensions arise as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a series of free World Cup events across the city's five boroughs.
Commuters at the New Jersey Transit train platform at Penn Station in New York are pictured in this 2024 file photo
Limited train ticket availability is set to hike up prices to around $150 from its usual $12.90. The pricing hike was approved by Governor Mikie Sherrill, seen above, as the FIFA World Cup is set to cost NJ Transit around $48 million
Mamdani had previously condemned the costly FIFA ticket prices and went after the soccer giant after the organization marginally caved to fierce backlash by making a handful of tickets for each game $60.
In December before his inauguration, Mamdani said: 'A $60 "supporter ticket" for 1.6 percent of seats isn't enough. Not when FIFA just set the highest ticket prices in World Cup history.'
Pricing had ranged from $140 up to $2,735 for group stage games and cost surges from there the further the tournament progresses.
Seats for the final reached around $10,000, with four tickets costing over $2 million, NBC 4 reported.
'Thousands spoke up demanding that this be a tournament that New Yorkers can afford,' Mamdani continued.
'Here's what we actually need: end dynamic pricing, cap resale prices and set aside 15 percent of tickets for local fans at a discount. The beautiful game must be for everyone.'
And the NYC mayor continued holding onto those beliefs as he and Governor Kathy Hochul announced five free official FIFA Fan Fest events.
Mamdani said, while the events were initially not intended to be free, 'the world's game should belong to the world.'
Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced free official FIFA Fan Fest events. While the events were initially set to be free, he said that 'the world's game should belong to the world'
FIFA is projected to rake in around $11 billion from the summer event, government officials said
Manhattan's Rock Center is set to host daily programming, with extended viewing during the Finals Week, from July 6 to July 19.
Queens' USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows will host daily programming and match viewings from June 11 to June 27.
In Staten Island, daily programming and evening match viewings will take place at the Staten Island University Hospital Community Park from June 29 to July 2.
The Bronx will host matchday programming and local cultural programming from June 13 and June 14 at the Bronx Terminal Market.
Brooklyn's Brooklyn Bridge Park will host daily programming and match viewing from June 13 to July 19.
'Every fan should be able to watch the greatest tournament on Earth without having to dip into their savings,' the NYC mayor added.