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New York New Jersey, USA, 2026 World Cup City Guide
Everything you need to know about visiting New York & New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup đź—˝
✒️ By the worldcup-travel.com team | 📅 Published 23 April 2025
First off, New York New Jersey isn’t a place. There is New York, and then there’s New Jersey. However, FIFA has combined the two state names for the World Cup, so we’ll be using that term from here on out.
That said, we’ve got the best information on New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup travel, including transportation to and from the area, to and from MetLife Stadium (officially coined “New York New Jersey Stadium” by FIFA), and between host cities. We’ll also help you find a variety of accommodations, car rentals, public transportation in and around the city, and so much more.
Learn more about visiting New York New Jersey for the World Cup
Eat, play, see, and do in New York New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup
New York is the city that never sleeps. Buzzing with energy, it’s one of the few cities where the time of day won’t keep you from having fun, which bodes well for vibrant fans planning to hit up the Tri-state area for the 2026 World Cup.
Though many think of NYC as Manhattan, the entire city encompasses five individual boroughs - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island. Across the Hudson River, west of Manhattan, lies New Jersey. There, you’ll find Hoboken and Jersey City, which have gained traction as cities that NYC residents fleeing sky-high rents in Manhattan and Brooklyn escaped to, in order to now pay sky-high rents there. Yes, the state of New Jersey has a lot more to offer beyond Hoboken and Jersey City, but for your soccer-related purposes, we’re going to focus on areas closest to New York New Jersey Stadium.
The stadium itself is located in East Rutherford, and - with room for 82,500 fans - is among the biggest of the 2026 World Cup stadiums. There’s one drawback to this location and that is lack of pedestrian access. Because of the highways surrounding New York New Jersey Stadium, it’s not possible to get there by foot, even if you stay at a hotel nearby. Courtesy shuttles will likely be available, and we expect additional transportation to be added in preparation for the tournament.
New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup FAQs
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New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) is located in East Rutherford, NJ, nine miles west of Midtown Manhattan. That’s a 20-minute drive without traffic. Read more on our New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup transport page.
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MLS: New York Red Bull, who despite their name play in NJ. New York City FC play at the iconic Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
NWSL: NJ/NY Gotham FC, who also play in New Jersey, at the Sports Illustrated Stadium.
USL: Brooklyn FC is the first women's professional team in Brooklyn, and there’s a men’s team launching in the USL League One in 2026. There are lots of USL League Two teams in the NJ area, including FC Motown, Ocean City Nor-easters, and New Jersey Copa FC.
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Philadelphia (96 miles stadium-to-stadium)
Boston (207 miles stadium-to-stadium)
Toronto (464 miles stadium-to-stadium)
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Eight World Cup games, in total, will be played in New York New Jersey: five group stage matches, one Round of 32, one Round of 16, and the World Cup Final on July 19.
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Overall, NYC weather is pretty warm in June and July with nine hours of sun every day. Humidity hovers around 70% in July, though, so expect to sweat a bit.
Expect temperatures around the mid-70s in June (25°C). In July, it will be hot and humid with highs around 84°F (29°C). There is always a chance of rain, usually in the shape of quick thunderstorms, and cloudy days are still possible, even when it’s hot out.
Which 2026 World Cup matches will be held in New York New Jersey?
Match 7 – Saturday, June 13, 2026 – Group Stage (Group C)
Match 17 – Tuesday, June 16, 2026 – Group Stage (Group I)
Match 41 – Monday, June 22, 2026 – Group Stage (Group I)
Match 56 – Thursday, June 25, 2026 – Group Stage (Group E)
Match 67 – Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Group Stage (Group L)
Match 77 – Tuesday, June 30, 2026 – Round of 32 (Knockout stage)
Match 91 – Sunday, July 5, 2026 – Round of 16 (Knockout stage)
Match 104 – Sunday, July 19, 2026 – Final
Fan-Fueled Adventures in New York
We spoke to football-loving locals and intrepid travellers to get their take on the 2026 World Cup host cities.
Thomas Conneely is a sports-mad NYC local. He shared some key tips for fans visiting New York New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup:
Metlife has absolutely nothing around it, so unless FIFA builds something for the World Cup, there’s little to do. Just head straight to the stadium.
Definitely bring a little bit of cash, as some of the best food spots are still cash only.
Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help. Most people think New Yorkers aren’t friendly, but if you ask, we’re happy to lend a hand.
Avoid Midtown. It’s touristy, expensive, and just not worth the effort. See Times Square, take a few snaps, but then be on your merry way.
Get more in-the-know tips from Thomas on our New York New Jersey transport guide.
Above: Thomas on the field at MetLife. Below: American vibes at a NYCFC match.
Visiting New York New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup
Everyone should visit NYC at least once in their life, so this is an amazing opportunity to not only see the sights, but experience the 2026 World Cup, too. Tourist attractions are plentiful, and some are truly worth a visit. We recommend catching a Broadway show, seeing the Statue of Liberty, and exploring Central Park.
Luckily for visitors, NYC is easy to navigate. The city is shaped like a grid, which makes it simple to get around. Plus, most people here walk or take public transportation, as it has a mostly reliable public transportation system (Don’t get New Yorkers started on its problems, though). Even getting to New Jersey is a snap, just catch the PATH train from five different locations in Manhattan, and it’ll take you right across the river.
Before your visit, make sure to visit the transport page for getting around New York New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup.
Doing New York New Jersey like a local
You can’t do all of Manhattan in one trip, because even though the island is small, it’s densely packed with restaurants, bars, shops, bodegas, theaters, museums and parks.
There are street vendors on just about every corner and you should definitely pick up a classic NYC hot dog, or hit up one of the city’s famous “street meat” Halal carts for super cheap, super yummy chicken, lamb, or falafel served over a heap of yellow rice. Delish!
There are literally thousands of amazing restaurants in New York and New Jersey, but that doesn’t mean a reservation isn’t necessary. Most restaurants require guests to reserve a table ahead of time (and will charge for late cancellation), so start planning your Michelin star meals early.
A few of our favorite activities in NYC include walking along the Highline, an old elevated rail line that’s been repurposed as a public park, taking the Staten Island Ferry (it’s free!) to get a view of the city and the Statue of Liberty from the harbor, taking in the Museum of Natural History, and visiting Stone Street in the Financial District for excellent outdoor drinking and eating vibes.
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