New York and New Jersey will host the biggest game on the planet: the World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. The final city is the most expensive, the most famous, and the most in-demand destination of the whole tournament, and fans from all over the world will be there.

MetLife Stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from Manhattan. It is a 30-minute train ride from Penn Station, and on final day, the journey will be part of the experience. Here is the complete fan guide to New York and New Jersey at World Cup 2026.

The stadium: MetLife

MetLife Stadium opened in 2010 and seats 82,500 fans. It is the home of the New York Giants and the New York Jets, and it has hosted a Super Bowl, the Copa America Centenario final, and some of the biggest concerts in the world. For the World Cup, it will host group games, knockout ties and the final.

The stadium is known for its giant video boards, its excellent sightlines, and its facade, which lights up in the colours of the teams playing. For the final, the stadium will be lit up for the two finalists, and the atmosphere will be unforgettable.

The final kicks off at 3pm local time, 9pm in Central Europe, and the whole world will be watching. Tickets are the most expensive in the tournament, with face values from around $250 for Category 4 to more than $6,700 for the best Category 1 seats.

Matches in New York and New Jersey

MetLife Stadium will host group-stage matches, a Round of 32 game, a Round of 16 game, and the final on July 19. England will play one of their group games here, and the stadium will be a magnet for fans from all over the world throughout the tournament.

The final is the obvious highlight, but the group games will also be superb. The stadium is designed for big events, and the atmosphere for a World Cup group game, with fans from two nations filling the stands, will be electric.

For fans who cannot get a ticket to the final, New York will host a huge fan festival with giant screens, concerts and food. The city will be in party mode for the whole day, and the fan festival is free to enter.

Getting there

The best way to reach MetLife Stadium from Manhattan is the train. From Penn Station, take NJ Transit to Secaucus Junction, then the shuttle train to the Meadowlands Sports Complex, right next to the stadium. The journey takes about 30 minutes by train plus 10 minutes on the shuttle.

On final day, trains will be extra busy, so allow at least three hours to get to the stadium. Buy your train ticket in advance, because the trains to the Meadowlands sell out quickly. Buses also run from Port Authority and from various points in Manhattan.

Driving is not recommended. Traffic on final day will be very heavy, and parking is expensive. Public transport is faster, cheaper and much less stressful.

Where to stay and what to do

New York is the most expensive host city, with hotels in Manhattan costing more than $400 a night during the final. The best value options are in Jersey City and Hoboken, in New Jersey, which are close to the stadium and well connected to Manhattan by public transport. Brooklyn and Queens are also good options.

For fans on a budget, staying outside Manhattan and using the subway is the smart move. A hotel 30 minutes from the centre can cost half as much as one in Times Square, and the subway runs all night.

New York itself needs no introduction: Times Square, Central Park, the museums, the restaurants and the nightlife are all world-class. During the World Cup, the city will be full of fans from every country, with fan zones and big screens across Manhattan. Even if you do not go to the stadium, you will have an unforgettable time.