New York / New Jersey
The World's Stage Comes to the World's City
New York — home to MetLife Stadium — will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. There's no bigger stage on Earth, and NYC delivers an unmatched atmosphere for the beautiful game.
Stadium
MetLife Stadium
Capacity
82,500
Timezone
Eastern Time
Airport
EWR / JFK / LGA
Quick Overview
matches hosted
8 matches — Group stage and the Final (July 19)
stadium
MetLife Stadium
airport codes
EWR, JFK, LGA
timezone
Eastern Time
best neighborhoods
Midtown Manhattan, Chelsea, Jersey City, Hoboken, Meadowlands
fan hub status
Major fan events expected across New York and New Jersey
Weather and packing
June: Warm and humid, with highs often in the upper 70s to mid 80s Fahrenheit.
July: Hotter and humid, with afternoon storms possible and warm nights across the metro area.
- →Pack comfortable walking shoes for subway, train, and city walking days
- →Bring a light rain shell for summer storms
- →Use breathable clothing and plan shade or indoor breaks on long sightseeing days
Match Schedule
June 13
6:00 PM ET
Brazil vs Morocco
MetLife Stadium
Group C
June 16
3:00 PM ET
France vs Senegal
MetLife Stadium
Group I
June 22
8:00 PM ET
Norway vs Senegal
MetLife Stadium
Group I
June 25
4:00 PM ET
Ecuador vs Germany
MetLife Stadium
Group E
June 27
5:00 PM ET
Panama vs England
MetLife Stadium
Group L
June 30
5:00 PM ET
TBD (Match 78)
MetLife Stadium
Round of 32
July 5
4:00 PM ET
TBD (Match 91)
MetLife Stadium
Round of 16
July 19
3:00 PM ET
🏆 World Cup Final
MetLife Stadium
FINAL
Airports & Arrival
Newark Liberty International Airport
EWRClosest major airport to MetLife Stadium
Usually the most convenient airport for match-first travelers focused on the stadium.
- →Best airport for Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark, and Meadowlands hotel stays
- →Taxi/rideshare is the simplest route to many New Jersey hotels
- →Rail links connect into New York Penn Station for Manhattan stays
LaGuardia Airport
LGAConvenient for many domestic flights but across the river from the stadium
Good domestic option, less direct for match-day stadium logistics.
- →Best for Queens, Midtown East, and some Manhattan itineraries
- →Expect bridge/tunnel traffic when crossing toward New Jersey
John F. Kennedy International Airport
JFKFarthest of the three major airports from MetLife Stadium
Best for international fares and flight choice, not for shortest stadium transfer.
- →Strong international flight coverage
- →AirTrain and rail connections can reach Manhattan, but stadium access still requires New Jersey transit planning
Stadium & Match-Day Transit
MetLife Stadium
📍 1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
👥 Capacity: 82,500
Getting There
Take the NJ Transit train from Penn Station to Meadowlands Station — about 30 minutes. Game-day shuttle buses also operate from the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Public transit
- →Use NJ Transit service to Meadowlands Station when event trains are operating
- →Most Manhattan-based fans should plan around New York Penn Station and NJ Transit
- →Buy rail tickets early and expect crowded post-match platforms
Rideshare
- →Rideshare can work before matches but becomes slow and expensive after full-time
- →If using rideshare after the match, walk to a designated pickup area and expect delays
Driving and parking
- →Pre-book parking where possible
- →Expect heavy traffic around the Meadowlands before and after matches
- →Driving is easier for New Jersey hotel stays than Manhattan hotel stays
Walking and biking
- →MetLife is not walkable from Manhattan
- →Jersey City and Hoboken are walkable neighborhoods for hotel stays, but still require transit or car service to the stadium
Match-day tips
- →Leave at least 90 minutes from Midtown Manhattan to your seat
- →Stay near Penn Station, Hoboken, Jersey City, or Meadowlands if stadium access is the top priority
- →Keep your return route flexible because post-match transit will be crowded
Where To Stay
Midtown Manhattan
$$$The simplest New York base if you want iconic city energy and a direct path toward stadium trains.
Best for: first-time visitors, Penn Station access, classic sightseeing
Transit: Excellent subway and rail access; busy but convenient
Stadium: Best Manhattan base for NJ Transit via Penn Station
Chelsea / Flatiron
$$$A polished Manhattan option with better food and nightlife access than staying only around Times Square.
Best for: restaurants, nightlife, walkable Manhattan stay
Transit: Strong subway access and easy rides to Penn Station
Stadium: Short subway/taxi ride to Penn Station before NJ Transit
Jersey City
$$-$$$A smart compromise for fans who want New York views and New Jersey-side stadium logistics.
Best for: skyline views, New Jersey access, slightly calmer hotel base
Transit: PATH access to Manhattan; choose hotels near waterfront or PATH stations
Stadium: Often easier by car/rideshare than Manhattan, depending on event traffic
Hoboken
$$-$$$A strong fan base for bars and group trips, especially if you want nightlife without staying in Manhattan.
Best for: bars, walkable nightlife, younger fan groups
Transit: Very walkable with PATH and ferry options
Stadium: Better than most Manhattan neighborhoods for New Jersey-side travel
Meadowlands / Secaucus
$$Choose this if the match is the main event and you care less about classic New York sightseeing.
Best for: stadium-first trips, lower-friction match days
Transit: Less walkable and less scenic, but practical for the stadium
Stadium: Closest hotel cluster to MetLife
Sports Bars & Watch Spots
Legends NYC
rowdy📍 6 W 33rd St, New York, NY
Midtown
Elbow Room
family📍 144 W 72nd St, New York, NY
Upper West Side
The Football Factory at Smithfield's
rowdy📍 355 W 41st St, New York, NY
Midtown West
Ulysses Folk House
pub📍 95 Pearl St, New York, NY
Financial District
Fan Hubs
Manhattan Fan Hub
📍 Central Manhattan
expected
Large public viewing and sponsor-style fan activity is expected in central New York areas. Treat exact locations and schedules as pending until local organizers publish details.
- →Best for fans staying in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, or Jersey City
- →Use subway and walking rather than driving into Manhattan
New Jersey Match-Day Base
📍 Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark, and Meadowlands
local watch area
New Jersey is the practical stadium side of the market. Fans prioritizing match-day logistics should consider staying or gathering west of the Hudson.
Local Soccer Culture
The market is really New York / New Jersey, not just New York City. International fan communities, club bars, and immigrant neighborhoods make it one of the strongest soccer regions in North America.
Clubs
- →New York City FC
- →New York Red Bulls
- →NJ/NY Gotham FC
Supporters
- →Supporter culture spans both New York City and New Jersey, with strong bar scenes around Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Hoboken, and Jersey City
Venues
- →Red Bull Arena
- →Yankee Stadium soccer setups
- →MetLife Stadium
Tourist Hits & Local Favorites
Tourist hits
Central Park
Best low-cost reset between matches, especially for groups staying in Manhattan.
Times Square
Chaotic, crowded, and iconic; good for first-time visitors but not where everyone should stay.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Book timed tickets early if visiting around peak tournament dates.
Local favorites
Hoboken waterfront
Skyline views, bars, and easier New Jersey-side logistics.
Queens food neighborhoods
Excellent for international food and fan communities.
Brooklyn soccer bars
Better local atmosphere than many Midtown tourist bars.
Pickup Soccer
Pier 40
Hudson River Park, Manhattan
Popular soccer facility with leagues and pickup-style activity; check permits and schedules.
McCarren Park
Williamsburg / Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Good casual soccer and park atmosphere for fans staying in Brooklyn.
Liberty State Park
Jersey City
Open park space with skyline views; better for casual kicking around than formal pickup.
Outdoors & Day Trips
Hudson River Greenway
walk/bike route · Manhattan west side · easy
One of the best low-stress outdoor routes for visitors.
Liberty State Park
park · Jersey City · easy
Great skyline and harbor views from the New Jersey side.
The High Line
urban walk · Chelsea / Meatpacking · easy
Best early or late to avoid peak crowds.
Food & Nightlife
Best areas to eat and drink
- →Midtown
- →Chelsea
- →Lower East Side
- →Williamsburg
- →Astoria
- →Hoboken
- →Jersey City
Koreatown and Midtown sports bars
Convenient before or after Penn Station stadium travel.
Hoboken bar crawl
Good New Jersey-side option for groups after non-stadium watch parties.
🏨 Hotels
Some travel links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
🚇 Getting Around
NYC has the best public transit in North America. The subway runs 24/7 and connects to NJ Transit for MetLife.
- →Get an OMNY card for contactless subway/bus payments
- →NJ Transit game-day trains run from Penn Station — buy tickets in advance
- →Avoid Uber/Lyft near the stadium on match days — surge pricing is brutal
- →Allow 90 minutes from Midtown Manhattan to your seat
Useful Local Resources
Tourism
Transit apps
Local blogs
Use 911 for emergencies. Check MTA and NJ Transit alerts before stadium travel.
Walk & Bike Notes
Manhattan, Hoboken, Jersey City waterfront, Brooklyn, and Queens neighborhoods are highly walkable, but stadium travel still requires rail, bus, or car service.
Citi Bike is useful for short city trips, not for getting to MetLife Stadium.
- →Midtown
- →Chelsea
- →West Village
- →Williamsburg
- →Hoboken
- →Jersey City waterfront
Use Citi Bike for short neighborhood hops and waterfront rides; avoid relying on bikes for match-day stadium logistics.
Safety & Match-Day Tips
- →Plan stadium travel around NJ Transit and event-specific service, not just normal map estimates
- →Avoid assuming MetLife Stadium is in New York City; it is in East Rutherford, New Jersey
- →Keep bags light and check stadium bag rules before leaving your hotel
- →Expect very crowded trains and platforms after marquee matches
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