The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to bring millions of fans to North America, but the excitement is being dampened by the exorbitant transit prices being charged by US transport authorities. The outrage is particularly strong among football fans, who are already facing the high cost of match tickets. The situation has sparked a heated debate, with politicians and fans alike calling for FIFA to subsidise domestic transit and ensure fair access to the tournament.
One of the most shocking examples of price gouging is the New Jersey Transit's plan to charge fans more than $100 for a journey from Penn Station in Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is a significant increase from the usual return ticket price of $12.90. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has also confirmed that return tickets from Boston to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts will cost $80, up from the usual event-day price of $20. These price hikes have been met with fierce criticism from fans and politicians alike.
Guillaume Aupretre, a spokesman for France's main supporters' group, expressed his disgust, stating, 'It's a disgrace. In recent tournaments, transportation was either included in the ticket price or offered at a heavily discounted rate for ticket holders.' He accused FIFA of shutting out 'the most loyal supporters in favour of the wealthy'. This sentiment was echoed by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who blamed FIFA for the price hikes and pointed out that the state faces a $48 million bill to ensure fan safety. Sherrill wrote, 'So here's the bottom line: FIFA should pay for the rides, but if they don't I'm not going to let New Jersey commuters get taken for one.'
The US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also weighed in, calling for FIFA to foot the bill for transport costs. FIFA, already facing criticism for sky-high match ticket prices, issued a statement criticising the transport price hike, claiming that the original host city agreements required free transportation for fans. However, this claim has been met with skepticism, as no other major event in the past has required organisers to pay for fan transportation.
The outrage extends beyond New Jersey, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul tweeting, 'Charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me.' The situation has raised questions about the accessibility of the World Cup and the role of FIFA in ensuring fair and affordable transportation for fans. With FIFA set to make $11 billion at the World Cup, the call for subsidised transit is gaining momentum, and it remains to be seen how the governing body will respond to the growing backlash.
