The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament — on July 19, 2026. Here’s what fans need to know about the venue, getting there, and where to stay.
About New York New Jersey Stadium
MetLife Stadium sits in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, just 8 miles west of New York City. As per FIFA’s neutral naming policy, it will operate as New York New Jersey Stadium (NYNJ Stadium) throughout the tournament.
The venue has a seated capacity of over 82,500, split across three tiers:
- Lower tier: 33,346 seats
- Middle tier: 21,323 seats
- Upper tier: 27,897 seats
Why This Stadium?
NYNJ Stadium is the largest venue in the tournament and one of the most accessible, sitting at the heart of the New York/New Jersey metro area — the most populated region in the United States. It is hosting eight matches in total, more than any other World Cup 2026 host city.
The eight matches include five group stage games, one Round of 32 match, one Round of 16 match, and the final on July 19.
Match Schedule at NYNJ Stadium
The stadium’s World Cup calendar runs from June 13 through July 19, 2026. For the full tournament calendar, see the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule.
| Date | Match | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| June 13 | Brazil vs Morocco (Group C) | 6:00 PM |
| June 16 | France vs Senegal (Group I) | 3:00 PM |
| June 22 | Norway vs Senegal (Group I) | 8:00 PM |
| June 25 | Ecuador vs Germany (Group E) | 4:00 PM |
| June 27 | Panama vs England (Group L) | 5:00 PM |
| June 30 | Round of 32 | 5:00 PM |
| July 5 | Round of 16 | 4:00 PM |
| July 19 | Final | 3:00 PM |
For FIFA World Cup Final tickets, including pricing and how to buy through the official FIFA ticketing portal, check our dedicated guide. General match tickets for all NYNJ Stadium games are covered in our World Cup 2026 tickets guide.
Stadium Preparations: From Artificial Turf to Natural Grass
MetLife Stadium’s standard artificial turf has been replaced with a natural grass surface built specifically for the World Cup — a major engineering project overseen by FIFA’s Senior Pitch Manager, David Graham.
The New Playing Surface
Crews began installing Tahoma 31 bermudagrass on May 7, 2026, using approximately 20 truckloads of sod grown over 10 months at Carolina Green Turf Farm near Charlotte, North Carolina. FIFA had originally planned to source grass from a New Jersey farm, but severe winter weather destroyed that crop.
The pitch sits atop a multi-layer system: two feet of sand over the existing artificial turf infrastructure, a full irrigation system, and a vacuum ventilation layer. A network of HVAC units regulates the surface temperature to keep the grass in match condition through the summer.
Seating Changes
To meet FIFA’s field dimension requirements, 1,740 corner seats were removed and replaced with a modular composite steel system that can be dismantled for soccer configurations. The modifications ensure proper run-up space for corner kicks while preserving the venue’s overall capacity.
How to Get to the World Cup Final Stadium
There is no general spectator parking at the stadium on matchdays. All fans must use public transit, official shuttles, or rideshare. A valid FIFA match ticket is required to purchase any matchday transportation. For a broader overview of getting around during the tournament, see the US transport guide for World Cup 2026.
NJ Transit Rail
All trains run through Secaucus Junction, where fans transfer to a matchday-only shuttle train direct to the stadium — a 10-minute ride. Round-trip rail tickets cost $98, reduced from the original $150 after corporate sponsorships offset costs.
- Tickets go on sale via the NJ Transit mobile app and njtworldcup.com
- 40,000 transit tickets available per matchday — advance purchase only
- Service restricted to World Cup ticket holders starting 4 hours before kickoff
- After matches, Northeast Corridor trains terminate at Newark Penn Station; fans continue to NYC via PATH at no extra cost
Official Stadium Shuttles
Round-trip shuttle buses cost $20 and run from four pickup points:
- Midtown North, Manhattan (Red Line)
- Midtown East, near Grand Central (Green Line)
- Port Authority Bus Terminal (Blue Line)
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, NJ (Yellow Line — park-and-ride)
Shuttle tickets must be purchased in advance and are non-transferable.
Rideshare and Private Cars
Rideshare drop-off and pickup is at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, with direct stadium access from there. Expect premium pricing and longer wait times before and after matches. Limited parking is available at American Dream mall with pre-purchased passes via JustPark.
Nearest Airports
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the closest major airport at roughly 10 miles, and a hub for United Airlines. Other options include LaGuardia (LGA, 11 miles) and JFK (19 miles). Search for flights to Newark or flights to New York on Wego.
Where to Stay Near the World Cup Final Venue
Hotel demand around the New York/New Jersey area will be intense throughout the tournament. Book early — prices are climbing as kickoff approaches. For a full breakdown of recommended areas, see the US World Cup hotels guide.
Best Areas for Matchday Access
- East Rutherford / Meadowlands — closest to the stadium but limited supply. Search hotels in East Rutherford
- Secaucus — about 5 miles away, connected via Secaucus Junction rail. Search hotels in Secaucus
- Jersey City / Hoboken — good value, quick PATH access to NYC, and closer to MetLife than Manhattan
- Manhattan near Penn Station — easy NJ Transit access to the stadium. Search hotels in New York
- Newark — budget-friendly, close to EWR airport and connected by NJ Transit rail
If you’re attending the final on July 19 and traveling from abroad, plan your full trip using our FIFA World Cup 2026 travel planning guide. The FIFA Fan Festival in the New York/New Jersey area will also run throughout the tournament for fans without match tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the FIFA World Cup 2026 final be played?
The final takes place at MetLife Stadium (operating as New York New Jersey Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET.
Can I drive and park at the stadium on matchdays?
No. There is no general spectator parking at MetLife Stadium during World Cup matches. Fans must use NJ Transit rail ($98 round trip), official shuttles ($20), or rideshare services.
What is the capacity of the World Cup Final stadium?
MetLife Stadium seats over 82,500 across three tiers, making it the largest venue hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.
Which airport is closest to MetLife Stadium?
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the closest major airport at roughly 10 miles. LaGuardia (LGA) and JFK are also within range at 11 and 19 miles respectively.
Sources
- FIFA — New York New Jersey to Host World Cup 2026 Final
- FIFA — Stadium Information Details
- FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee — Getting to NYNJ Stadium
- NJ Transit — Regional Stadium Mobility Plan
- NJBIZ — NJ Transit Drops World Cup Rail Fares to $98
- CBS Sports — Inside FIFA’s Engineering Effort to Build a World Cup Pitch at MetLife Stadium
- MetLife Stadium — FIFA World Cup 2026
- FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ — Match Schedule
- NY Governor — Shuttle Price Reduced to $20
- NJ Transit — Reduces Ticket Price to $98 for FIFA World Cup Matches
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
