Thursday, May 28, 2026 5:02 am –
Jerusalem time
Fans anticipating the 2026 World Cup are facing a new economic shock related to transportation costs within the United States, as reports revealed record increases in the prices of train tickets leading to the stadiums. These additional financial burdens come to join a long list of expenses that include high match tickets, accommodation and flight costs, which sparked a wave of anger among fans who were accustomed to greater facilities in previous World Cup editions.
Figures indicate that a round-trip train trip in New Jersey may cost $98, while in Massachusetts it costs about $80, which is far beyond the usual prices for local sports fans. Under normal circumstances, the cost of these trips does not exceed $20, which observers consider an unjustified jump that creates obstacles to fans’ access to stadiums in a country that has historically relied on private cars and lacks a comprehensive public transportation network.
Officials stress that they are not trying to exploit fans, but rather seek to cover security costs and expand service without burdening taxpayers.
On the other hand, local officials in the host states defend this pricing, stressing that it aims to cover the huge operational expenses associated with the global event, including enhancing security measures and expanding the scope of flights. Those in charge of the transportation sector stressed that the goal is not to make profits from fans, but rather to ensure that the American taxpayer does not bear the burden of financing the additional services required by the World Cup, in the absence of direct support from international bodies.
This crisis brings to mind successful experiences in previous tournaments, such as the World Cup in Qatar 2022 and Russia 2018, where public transportation was available free of charge to fans, which facilitated the movement of millions between cities and stadiums. Critics believe that the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) should intervene to bear part of these costs, especially since the organization expects to reap billions of dollars in profits from the tournament, instead of leaving fans to face these exorbitant costs in an environment that lacks the flexibility of public transportation.
