πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ World Cup 2026 Venue

MetLife Stadium

East Rutherford, New Jersey Β· United States

12 WC Matches82,500 capacityOpened 2010

Capacity

82,500

Opened

2010

Location

East Rutherford, NJ

To NYC

8 miles

Surface

Natural grass (WC)

WC Highlight

πŸ† Hosts the Final

About MetLife Stadium

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey is the crown jewel of FIFA World Cup 2026 and will host the tournament Final on Sunday 19 July 2026 β€” the most prestigious match in world football. Located just 8 miles west of Midtown Manhattan in the New Jersey Meadowlands, MetLife is the NFL's largest stadium by seating capacity and home to both the New York Giants and New York Jets. The stadium opened in 2010 at a cost of $1.6 billion, making it the most expensive sports venue in the world at the time. For the World Cup, the venue will be transformed with FIFA-compliant natural grass replacing the artificial turf, new sight lines and world-class broadcast infrastructure. The proximity to New York City β€” easily reached by NJ Transit rail directly from Penn Station β€” makes this the most accessible of all 16 World Cup venues for international fans. Expect enormous crowds, particularly as the tournament reaches its climax with the semi-finals and final. With a capacity of over 82,000 fans, the MetLife World Cup Final will be one of the largest-attended sporting events in modern history.

The most expensive stadium ever built when it opened in 2010, costing $1.6 billion. Shared by two NFL franchises β€” a unique arrangement in American sports.

World Cup 2026 Matches at MetLife

Match Schedule

12 total matches

Group Stage

Multiple group stage matches including high-profile fixtures

6 matches

Round of 32

Two knockout stage first-round matches

2 matches

Round of 16

Round of 16 match

1 match

Quarter-final

Quarter-final match

1 match

Semi-final

One semi-final match

1 match

Final

πŸ† The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final β€” 19 July 2026

1 match
View full fixture schedule β†’

🎫 Attending MetLife?

Buy tickets through FIFA's official platform

All World Cup 2026 tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA.com/tickets. No third-party sellers are authorised for original face-value tickets.

Location & Access

CityEast Rutherford, New Jersey
From City Centre8 miles west of Midtown Manhattan, New York City
Nearest AirportNewark Liberty International (EWR) β€” 10 miles / John F. Kennedy International (JFK) β€” 25 miles

Getting to MetLife

πŸš†

Train

NJ Transit Meadowlands Rail Line from Penn Station, New York. Direct service with extra trains on match days. ~30 minutes from NYC. Most popular option for visitors.

🚌

Bus

NJ Transit bus routes from Port Authority Bus Terminal and other NJ hubs. Check NJ Transit for match-day services.

πŸš—

Car

MetLife Stadium Complex has extensive parking. Major routes via NJ Turnpike (I-95) exit 16W and Route 3. Expect significant traffic on match days β€” allow extra time.

πŸš•

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft drop-off available at designated zones around the stadium. Pre-book return rides well in advance for major matches.

πŸ—½

From Manhattan

NJ Transit from Penn Station is by far the fastest and cheapest option from NYC. Tickets from ~$7 each way. Avoid driving into Manhattan before taking transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which matches are at MetLife Stadium for World Cup 2026?β–Ύ
MetLife Stadium hosts group stage matches, a Round of 32 game, Round of 16, Quarter-final, Semi-final, and β€” most importantly β€” the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final on 19 July 2026.
How do I get to MetLife Stadium from New York City?β–Ύ
Take NJ Transit Meadowlands Rail Line from Penn Station, Manhattan. Direct trains run on match days, taking approximately 30 minutes. This is the recommended and most popular option for visitors from NYC.
How to get tickets for MetLife World Cup matches?β–Ύ
World Cup 2026 tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA's official ticketing platform at FIFA.com/tickets. No third-party sellers are authorised. For the Final, demand will be extraordinary β€” register for ballot draws early.
What is the capacity of MetLife Stadium?β–Ύ
MetLife Stadium has a capacity of approximately 82,500 for NFL events. For the World Cup, FIFA may adjust configurations, but it will remain one of the largest stadiums in the tournament.
What airport should I fly into for MetLife Stadium?β–Ύ
Newark Liberty International (EWR) is the closest at 10 miles. JFK is 25 miles away. Both airports have direct transport links to the MetLife area. NJ Transit connects EWR directly to the stadium area.
Is MetLife Stadium open-air or covered?β–Ύ
MetLife Stadium is an open-air venue with a partial roof over the seating areas. The playing field is exposed to the elements. Summer matches in July may be hot β€” bring sunscreen, water and wear layers for evening games.
When is the World Cup 2026 Final at MetLife Stadium?β–Ύ
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final is scheduled for Sunday 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Expected kick-off at approximately 7:00 PM Eastern Time.
Where is MetLife Stadium located?β–Ύ
MetLife Stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey β€” in the Meadowlands Sports Complex, about 8 miles west of Midtown Manhattan. The address is 1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073.

πŸ“Ί Watching from Home?

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Find your official broadcaster and streaming options for every match at MetLife.

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