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World Cup 2026 in New York/New Jersey: Matches, Stadium and Travel

By Sofia Reyes, Host Cities CorrespondentLast Updated: 2026-07-04⏱️ 5 min read
World Cup 2026 in New York/New Jersey: Matches, Stadium and Travel
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New York/New Jersey hosts 8 World Cup 2026 matches at MetLife Stadium, a 82,500-seat venue in USA. The city's tournament opens on Sat, Jun 13 and runs through Sun, Jul 19. This guide covers the fixtures, how to reach MetLife Stadium, where to stay, and what to do between matches.

Of the 8 games staged in New York/New Jersey, 5 fall in the group stage and 3 are knockout fixtures. The first kicks off when Brazil meet Morocco at 18:00 local time on Sat, Jun 13. All kick-off times below are listed in New York/New Jersey's local zone (New York), so convert them to your home time before you set alarms.

DateMatchKick-off (local)Stage
Sat, Jun 13Brazil vs Morocco18:00Group C
Tue, Jun 16France vs Senegal15:00Group I
Mon, Jun 22Norway vs Senegal20:00Group I
Thu, Jun 25Ecuador vs Germany16:00Group E
Sat, Jun 27Panama vs England17:00Group L
Tue, Jun 30France vs Sweden17:00Round of 32
Sun, Jul 5Brazil vs Norway16:00Round of 16
Sun, Jul 19Spain vs Argentina15:00Final

Every confirmed World Cup 2026 fixture at MetLife Stadium.

The standout date for New York/New Jersey is the final between Spain and Argentina on Sun, Jul 19. Because New York/New Jersey keeps 3 knockout fixtures, demand for hotels and flights spikes sharply in the back half of the tournament, so lock in refundable bookings before the bracket is set. If you are chasing more than one game here, cluster your stay around the dates in the table above rather than committing to the full window.

Getting to New York/New Jersey

Serviced by three major airports: Newark Liberty (EWR) which is closest to the stadium, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and LaGuardia (LGA). All connect to transit. From the airport, give yourself a generous buffer on matchdays — crowds peak in the three hours before kick-off at MetLife Stadium. Fly into Newark Liberty (EWR), JFK, or LaGuardia (LGA). Stay in Manhattan or Hudson County for easy public transit access. Where you can, travel light: MetLife Stadium enforces a small-bag policy and queues at screening grow quickly once gates open.

Getting to MetLife Stadium on matchday

NYC Subway runs 24/7. Use NJ Transit trains from Penn Station to Secaucus Junction on matchdays for shuttle trains to MetLife Stadium. Accessible via NJ Transit Meadowlands Rail Line on matchdays, coach routes from Port Authority Terminal, and parking lots for rideshare. Expect large crowds and strict bag checks. Plan for at least 2 hours of arrival buffer prior to kick-off.

Neighbourhoods, hotels and things to do in New York/New Jersey

Explore the bright lights of Times Square, attend fan festivals in Central Park, and explore culinary spots across Brooklyn and Queens. Away from the football, Visit the Statue of Liberty, walk the High Line, climb the Empire State Building, explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and catch a Broadway show. New York/New Jersey is one of the pricier host markets, so book accommodation early and expect premium matchday rates close to the stadium.

Popular neighbourhoods to base yourself in New York/New Jersey:

  • Manhattan
  • Brooklyn
  • Queens
  • Hoboken
  • Jersey City

Eating and drinking around MetLife Stadium

Features classic American stadium fare, NY-style pizza, cheesesteaks, and local craft beer. No cash accepted; card-only venue. If you would rather eat in the city first, the Manhattan area is an easy pre-match base before you ride out to MetLife Stadium.

New York/New Jersey in June: weather and staying safe

At about 40.8°N, MetLife Stadium sees warm, often humid early-summer conditions — hydration matters for day fixtures. Hot and humid in summer, ranging from 22°C to 30°C (72°F to 86°F), with occasional summer rain showers. Pack accordingly and plan your stadium arrival around the heat of the day where relevant. Generally safe; keep belongings secure in crowded subway trains and tourist corridors. Stick to official fan zones and signed transit routes around MetLife Stadium on matchdays.

Featured Host Cities

New York/New Jersey

USA

Serviced by three major airports: Newark Liberty (EWR) which is closest to the stadium, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and LaGuardia (LGA). All connect to transit.

Dallas

USA

Fly into Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — a massive global hub — or Dallas Love Field (DAL) for domestic connections.

Los Angeles

USA

Serviced by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario (ONT), John Wayne (SNA), and Hollywood Burbank (BUR).

Featured Host Stadiums

MetLife Stadium

New York/New Jersey, USA

Cap: 82,500

AT&T Stadium

Dallas, USA

Cap: 80,000

SoFi Stadium

Los Angeles, USA

Cap: 70,240

Frequently Asked Questions

How many World Cup 2026 matches are in New York/New Jersey?

New York/New Jersey hosts 8 matches at MetLife Stadium, including 3 knockout-stage games.

Which stadium hosts the World Cup in New York/New Jersey?

All New York/New Jersey fixtures are played at MetLife Stadium, which holds 82,500 spectators. Located in East Rutherford, NJ, MetLife Stadium is the massive crown jewel of the tournament, hosting the prestigious World Cup Final on July 19, 2026.

When does New York/New Jersey host its World Cup 2026 matches?

New York/New Jersey's fixtures run from Sat, Jun 13 to Sun, Jul 19, with kick-offs listed in New York local time.

SR

Sofia Reyes

Host Cities Correspondent

Sofia is a North America travel writer who has lived in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles. She reports on neighbourhoods, fan zones and the practical realities of each host city for visiting supporters.

Focus areas: Host city guides · Neighbourhoods & fan zones · Local transport

Editorial standards: see our editorial policy and corrections policy.

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