So you’ve managed to get yourself a ticket to one (or more!) of the games at MetLife Stadium (soon to be rebranded as NYNJ Stadium). Congratulations! You might have heard, though, that getting to the venue is going to be something of a hassle. Assuming that you’re coming from New York City, you’re best advised to use public transport. Be aware also that purchasing either train or bus tickets to the game requires having an official match ticket.
Train
Train tickets go on sale May 13, and are limited to 40,000 for each match. And they cost $150 for a return trip (Update: Now $105!). These special trains run directly from Penn Station through Secaucus Junction to the stadium. If you’re staying in Lower Manhattan, taking the subway to Penn Station is pretty straightforward: the uptown A, C, E, 1, 2, or 3 trains will all get you there.
Bus
There are also shuttle bus services running to each game, with tickets priced at $80. They are on sale now. There are two departure points in NYC: Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd Street and a stop near Grand Central terminal in the city’s east. If you’re staying in Lower Manhattan, the Port Authority stop is the better choice. Hop on the A or C trains uptown from Fulton Streett, or the E train uptown from the World Trade Center stop.
Ride share
Getting a ride share to a game should be easy enough, but getting one back into the city might be a struggle, because you’ll be competing against thousands of other people trying to do the same thing. As per the Athletic, New Jersey Transit’s forecasts suggest that some 6,000 people per game are predicted to rely on ride sharing services.
Driving
There’s no parking available at the stadium on any of the eight match days. However, there is parking at the nearby American Dream Mall, which is connected to the stadium via pedestrian bridge. Though it’s not necessarily a better deal than the bus or train, as parking starts at $225, and may go up depending on how many people opt for it. As mall CEO Adam Petrick told CBS News recently, “That price is going to be dynamic, based on demand, and we are going to be doing as much as we can to provide as many spaces as possible.”
Walking
But wait, can you just walk to the stadium? Trust us, we’re well aware this seems like a sensible solution — but no, you really cannot. As New Jersey State Police spokesman Charles Marchan said in response to fans online discussing plans to go on foot, “For the safety of all FIFA World Cup attendees, pedestrian traffic is strictly prohibited on the roadways surrounding MetLife Stadium. Walking on these roadways creates a significant safety hazard for both pedestrians and motorists.” Sorry.
Tom Hawking is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor and football fanatic. Find him at his website.
photo: iStock
