₹14K Just To Get To A Game? Travel Costs More Than 2026 FIFA World Cup Tickets Itself

Last Updated:April 18, 2026, 14:03 IST

Travel costs are soaring for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with ₹14K train rides and ₹9K bus fares sparking massive fan outrage.

While ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have already raised eyebrows, it’s the cost of simply getting to the stadium that’s now sparking serious backlash in the United States.

Terrifying Train Ticket Costs In NYC

For matches at MetLife Stadium, including the final, a round-trip train ride from New York is set to cost nearly ₹13,890 ($150).

That’s more than ten times the usual fare of roughly ₹1,200. To make matters worse, only 40,000 train tickets will be available across eight matches, meaning demand is likely to far outstrip supply.

Driving? That’s no relief either.

Parking is extremely limited, with prices soaring to around ₹20,900 ($225) per spot, mostly reserved for accessible parking or nearby facilities.

Who’s Responsible?

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill didn’t hold back, placing the blame squarely on FIFA.

Taking to social media, she claimed that “FIFA put zero dollars towards transporting World Cup fans," adding that earlier agreements scrapped most stadium parking provisions.

That decision, she explained, has forced the state’s transit system to handle nearly four times its usual passenger load, inevitably driving up costs.

FIFA, however, has offered a different perspective. The governing body previously stated that revised host city agreements now require transportation to be provided “at cost," a notable shift from earlier expectations of free matchday travel.

Fans at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, for instance, enjoyed complimentary metro access with their tickets, a perk clearly missing this time around.

Boston’s Bus Dilemma

It’s not just New Jersey. Over in Boston, the newly launched “Boston Stadium Express" to Gillette Stadium is facing similar criticism.

Priced at ₹8,840.90 for a round trip, the shuttle service, operated in partnership with Yankee Line, will ferry fans from over 100 hotels.

Boston 2026 president Mike Loynd defended the move, stating, “Providing fans with clear, reliable transportation is essential to delivering a positive tournament experience."

There’s a catch, though: fans must already have a valid match ticket to even board the bus, and availability is limited.

(with AFP inputs)

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