New York / New Jersey
World Cup 2026 Schedule
MetLife Stadium hosts 3 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a Round of 32 on July 1, a Round of 16 on July 6, and the World Cup Final on July 19. Dates, kick-off times (EDT), tickets, hotels and transit guide below.
🏆 Final Host — MetLife Stadium, Jul 19
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ is the largest venue in the tournament at 82,500 capacity and was selected as the 2026 Final host by FIFA in February 2018. Kick-off is 3:00 PM EDT — prime-time for both European and South American audiences.
Updated March 26, 2026 · Source: FIFA Official Fixtures
NYC / NJ at a Glance
All Matches at MetLife Stadium
3 matches · July 1, 6 & 19, 2026
MetLife Stadium hosts more knockout stage prestige than any other venue in the tournament — the only city to host both a Round of 16 and the Final. Match times and dates confirmed by FIFA. Teams TBD until the group stage concludes on June 27.
Round of 32
Round of 16
🏆 World Cup Final
* Team names are editorial predictions based on the FIFA group draw. Confirmed teams are published after the group stage concludes June 27, 2026.
* Kick-off times for the Round of 32 and Round of 16 are subject to FIFA confirmation. Times will be published once the group stage schedule is finalised. The Final (July 19, 3:00 PM EDT) is confirmed.
Source: FIFA Official Fixtures
World Cup 2026 Tickets — New York / New Jersey
FIFA's official ticket ballot for the Final is closed. Verified resale inventory is available now on Ticketmaster — the official resale partner for FIFA 2026 matches in the United States.
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Final Week Hotels — New York & New Jersey
July 14–20 is the highest hotel demand week in American sports history. Refundable rates in Midtown Manhattan are already at $450–$900/night and climbing. Book now — cancel free if plans change.
| Area | Avg/Night | Transit to MetLife | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midtown Manhattan | $450–$750 | NJ Transit ~40 min (Penn St) | Best access + nightlife |
| Newark, NJ | $180–$320 | Drive/Lyft ~20 min | Best value · near EWR |
| Jersey City, NJ | $220–$380 | Light Rail + bus ~30 min | Good value · views |
| Times Square area | $550–$900 | NJ Transit ~40 min | Closest to action |
| East Rutherford, NJ | $300–$500 | Walk/shuttle ~10 min | Match day easy |
Affiliate links via Expedia, Hotels.com & Vrbo — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Always check cancellation policy before confirming.
Getting to MetLife Stadium
MetLife is 10 miles west of Manhattan in East Rutherford, NJ. On match days, the recommended route is NJ Transit train — do not drive, parking is extremely limited and road closures are in place.
🚂NJ Transit Train — Recommended
- ›Depart from Penn Station, Manhattan (33rd St & 7th Ave)
- ›Direct service to Meadowlands Station (adjacent to MetLife)
- ›Journey time: ~40 minutes · Cost: ~$5 each way
- ›Match day service: trains every 10–15 minutes pre/post match
- ›Trains run from 3 hours before kick-off to 2 hours after final whistle
✈️Arriving by Air
- ›Newark (EWR) — closest. Airtrain + NJ Transit to Penn Station, then stadium train. Total: ~60 min.
- ›JFK — avoid on match day. Traffic adds 60–90 min. If using JFK, arrive night before.
- ›LaGuardia (LGA) — no direct rail. Taxi to Manhattan, then NJ Transit. Allow 90 min on match day.
🚕Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
- ›Rideshare from Midtown: $35–60 normal · $80–150+ on match day (surge)
- ›Rideshare pickup after the match has a dedicated zone at Lot H
- ›Wait times post-match: 30–60 minutes for rideshare · NJ Transit is faster
🚗Driving — Not Recommended
- ›Parking: $40–80 on game day, available at MetLife lots only
- ›Route 3 westbound from Lincoln Tunnel is heavily congested
- ›Allow 2 hours extra travel time if driving on Final day
- ›Better option: drive to Secaucus Junction and take NJ Transit from there
Pro Tip: Book NJ Transit in Advance
NJ Transit does not reserve seats on match day trains — it's first come, first served. Arrive at Penn Station at least 90 minutes before kick-off for the Final. The Meadowlands direct service only runs on event days; confirm the schedule on njtransit.com closer to the date.
International Fan? Get a USA eSIM Before You Land
Avoid roaming charges from day one. Airalo eSIMs for the USA start from $5/week with 1–10GB data. Install before your flight — no Wi-Fi needed to activate on arrival at JFK or EWR.
Works on all modern iPhones (XS+) and Android. Supports all US carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T network). Perfect for the July 1 → July 19 window if you're following multiple knockout games.
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Protect Your World Cup Final Trip
World Cup Final tickets cost $500–$3,500+ and hotels in NYC for July 19 are running $450–$900/night. Travel insurance covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies, delayed flights and lost baggage — so one disruption doesn't cost you the entire trip.
VisitorsCoverage covers travelers in 175+ countries. Get an instant quote in under 60 seconds — policies from $50 for 2-week coverage.
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Flights to New York for the World Cup Final
Fly into Newark (EWR) for the easiest MetLife Stadium access, or JFK/LGA if you're staying in Manhattan. Kiwi.com searches all carriers — including virtual interline routes that larger OTAs miss — with real-time price tracking.
Transatlantic fares to NYC for July 14–20 are already rising fast. Lock in prices now — Final confirmation after June 27 typically triggers a 40–80% fare spike overnight.
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Things to Do in New York — Between Matches
With 18 days between the R32 (Jul 1) and the Final (Jul 19), there's time to explore NYC properly. Top picks: Statue of Liberty, One World Observatory, Central Park tours, Broadway shows, and Brooklyn Bridge walks. Book skip-the-line tickets in advance — demand is highest in July.
Affiliate links via GetYourGuide (8% · 31-day cookie) and Viator (8% · 30-day cookie).
New York / NJ Travel Tips for World Cup 2026
1. Book hotels now — July 19 is peak demand in US sports history
Refundable NYC hotel rates for Final week (Jul 14–20) are already at $450–$900/night and rising monthly. Book a refundable rate immediately. Cancel-free if your team exits before the Final.
2. Stay in Midtown Manhattan — not in NJ
Midtown gives you both the best NJ Transit access (Penn Station → MetLife in 40 min) and the full NYC pre/post-match experience. Restaurants, bars and fan zones are within walking distance.
3. The Final sells out faster than any other World Cup event
FIFA's official ballot is already closed. Verified resale is your only option. Act before the bracket is confirmed (post June 27) — Final ticket prices jump 30–50% the day the finalists are known.
4. Fly into Newark (EWR) — not JFK
EWR is 20 minutes from MetLife Stadium and has direct Airtrain connection to NJ Transit. JFK is an hour+ away from MetLife in normal traffic, and 2+ hours on match day.
5. NYC in mid-July is hot and humid — plan accordingly
Average July temperature: 85°F (29°C) with high humidity. MetLife Stadium is open-air — bring sunscreen, a hat and water for daytime matches. The R32 (Jul 1) and R16 (Jul 6) both kick off at 6:00 PM EDT — cooler but still warm.
6. Book NYC tours and shows early — July is peak tourist season
Statue of Liberty, One World Observatory and Broadway shows book out 4–6 weeks in advance in July. If you're spending multiple days in NYC between the R32/R16 and the Final, secure entertainment early.
Luggage Storage in New York City
Checking out before the match? Radical Storage has 50+ secure luggage storage locations across Manhattan and near Penn Station — stores your bags from $5/day while you head to MetLife unburdened.
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Pre-Booked Airport Transfer — Skip the Taxi Queue
Arriving at JFK, EWR or LGA for the Final? Pre-book a private transfer and skip the post-match taxi queue — which can run 45–90 minutes on World Cup Final day. Kiwitaxi covers 100 countries with English-speaking drivers and fixed prices.
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New York / New Jersey World Cup 2026 — FAQs
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🏆 Final Quick Facts
- Date
- Sunday, July 19, 2026
- Venue
- MetLife Stadium
- Address
- 1 MetLife Stadium Dr, NJ
- Kick-off (EDT)
- 3:00 PM
- Kick-off (BST)
- 8:00 PM
- Kick-off (CEST)
- 9:00 PM
- Capacity
- 82,500
- Best Transit
- NJ Transit from Penn St
- Best Airport
- Newark (EWR)
Full Stadium Guide →
🏨 Book NYC Hotels
Final Week prices rising fast. Book refundable now.
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