Transport costs for fans travelling to World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium have been reduced following criticism over the original pricing.
Train tickets have been cut from $150 (£111) to $98 (£73), while shuttle bus fares have dropped sharply from $80 (£59) to $20 (£15) after supporters raised concerns about affordability.
Thomas Concannon, head of the Football Supporters’ Association England fan group, had earlier described the initial prices as “astronomical” and “completely out of the norm.”
MetLife Stadium, which will be referred to as New York/New Jersey Stadium during the tournament in line with FIFA’s naming policy, is set to host eight matches, including the final and one of England’s Group L fixtures.
A return rail journey from Penn Station in Manhattan to the stadium, a distance of about 18 miles, normally costs around $12.90 (£9.50).
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill had previously criticised FIFA’s refusal to subsidise transport, saying local taxpayers would not be made to cover the costs.
Free public transport was offered at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, and similar arrangements had been included in the United States’ original hosting agreement before being revised in 2023 to allow travel at cost.
FIFA has defended the pricing structure, arguing there is no precedent for subsidised transport to major events at MetLife Stadium.
In a post on Tuesday, Sherrill said commercial partnerships helped make the reduced fares possible ahead of ticket sales.
“Good news: Ahead of NJ Transit World Cup train tickets going on sale, NJ Transit is lowering ticket prices to $98 without New Jersey taxpayer money,” she wrote. “Thank you to our partners for helping make this possible.”
