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Apr 16, 2026

New Jersey Governor Demands FIFA Foot the Bill as World Cup Train Fares Could Surge Above $100

AI Summary
Governor Mikie Sherrill warned FIFA that New Jersey will not subsidize exorbitant World Cup rail tickets, citing a potential $100 round‑trip fare and a $48 million cost to move 40,000 fans per match. NJ Transit’s board authorized fare adjustments, while FIFA pointed to revised host‑city agreements that shift transport costs to fans.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill publicly challenged FIFA after reports surfaced that round‑trip train tickets from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium could exceed $100 for the 2026 World Cup.

Current NJ Transit listings show a standard fare of $12.90 for the same route, but a recent The Athletic report suggests the price could jump dramatically, with no discounts for children, seniors or people with disabilities. NJ Transit told Fox 5 New York that the final fare has not yet been set, but a decision is expected within days.

In a social‑media post, Governor Sherrill emphasized that the state inherited an agreement in which FIFA contributes $0 toward transportation, leaving New Jersey Transit with a projected $48 million bill to safely move an estimated 40,000 fans to each of the eight matches, including the final.

"FIFA is making $11 billion off this World Cup and charging fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket for the final," Sherrill said. "I won’t let New Jersey commuters shoulder that cost. FIFA should pay for the rides, and if they don’t, I won’t let our residents be taken for a ride."

Sherrill added that she would approve any fare increase if FIFA does not intervene, stating, "I will, if that’s what it takes, because I’m not putting it on the backs of New Jerseyans."

On Wednesday, NJ Transit’s board unanimously passed a resolution empowering CEO Kris Kolluri to set World Cup rail fares at levels sufficient to "cover any and all costs" associated with transporting the projected fan volume. Kolluri confirmed that the fare structure will not be cross‑subsidized by regular commuters.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani backed Sherrill’s stance, noting that FIFA often offloads costs onto local municipalities and suggesting that a partnership could make the event more affordable for everyone.

FIFA responded by highlighting the original 2018 Host City Agreements, which required free transportation for fans, and noting a 2023 amendment that shifted to a "cost‑to‑use" model. The organization also claimed it had advocated for federal funding to support host‑city mobility plans.

Sherrill, a Democrat elected last year on a platform of affordability, has already redirected $5 million earmarked for a fan festival at Liberty State Park toward smaller watch parties across the state.

Transportation pricing for this World Cup has become a broader discussion, with Massachusetts raising its Boston‑to‑Foxborough fare from $20 to $80, underscoring growing concerns over fan‑accessibility and cost burdens.