New Jersey's governor, Mikie Sherrill, has criticised Fifa after reports that the state's transport system will charge $100 for a return ticket to World Cup matches this summer. The current price for a round trip from New York's Penn Station to MetLife Stadium, which hosts eight matches including the final, is $12.90. The reported increase would apply to all passengers, with no reductions for children, seniors or people with disabilities. NJ Transit has said the price is not yet finalised.
Governor Sherrill stated that Fifa is providing no funding for transport, leaving NJ Transit with a $48m bill to safely transport 40,000 fans per game. She noted that Fifa is making $11bn from the tournament and charging up to $10,000 for a single final ticket. 'I won’t stick New Jersey commuters for that tab for years to come,' she said, adding that she would approve the fare increase if Fifa does not intervene.
NJ Transit's board has unanimously approved a resolution empowering its chief executive, Kris Kolluri, to set World Cup rail fares at levels sufficient to cover all costs. Kolluri confirmed that regular commuters would not subsidise the fares. New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani backed Sherrill, saying Fifa offloads costs onto local municipalities.
Fifa expressed surprise at the governor's comments, noting that host city agreements originally required free transport for fans. In 2023, Fifa adjusted the requirements to allow transport at cost. The organisation said it had worked for years on transportation plans and advocated for federal funding to support host cities.
Sherrill, who was elected governor last year, has already cancelled a planned $5m fan festival at Liberty State Park, redirecting funds to smaller watch parties. Elsewhere, the Massachusetts transit authority has raised its train fares for World Cup matches from $20 to $80.
