Going to North America '26: tickets, accommodations, etc. (non-politics)

Both Toronto and Vancouver are walkable from Downtown.

 

So they are still selling those ridiculously priced first raw tickets? Pathetic...hopefully sooner or later we'll see some normal ones

 

Was any of this carry-on happening in 94?

 

Looks like hotels are cutting room rates as visitors are put off by high ticket costs and other factors.

https://www.ft.com/content/7fd5e051-f45a-48e9-85f1-047a7defd7ab?syn-25a6b1a6=1
(Paywall)

https://www.hoteldive.com/news/hospitality-outlook-cautious-ahead-fifa-2026-world-cup/815817/
(No paywall)

 

I think the host cities (and hotels in particular) always had entirely unrealistic expectations as to the anticipated number of visitors and what they’d be interested in paying. This is a common occurrence for big events like the World Cup and Olympics.

And yes, the late uncertainty and unavailability of tickets has made planning even more difficult for many.

 

Meadowlands transportation in 1994

 

$2 roundtrip from Penn Station in 1994. That's about $4.50 today.

 

So obviously a lot of the hate and issues revolve around NY and Boston. Has anyone heard of any other issues in other stadiums? I feel like I am in good shape since Seattle/Vancouver stadiums aren't out in the sticks. But what about Miami/SF? Or is this a problem limited to NY and Boston?

 

That's Newark Penn Station not NYC Penn Station.

Real bottleneck will be at Secaucus Junction station. Trains coming in from Newark will have to disembark at Secaucus. NJTransit has not announced any fan buffer zones there, to avoid crunches with commuters returning from work.

 

I didnt have enough credits for the $60 tickets, which were taken from the supporter value tier allocation, so i paid $265 for cat 3.

 

There’s no indication that VTA light rail will be jacking the prices up for service to Levi’s. But there’s still time lol. My question is, can light rail handle the high quantity of passengers, since parking seems to be limited.

 

I feel like in the end there will be less people at the group games compared to a regular season 49er game... Only the r32 game will be packed if USA goes top of the group in D

Are they putting the World Cup security barrier past most of the lots? It looked like the VTA passengers from the west were getting out before Great America Parkway during the Superbowl. The cabins didn't really look packed.

Looks like the building next to the $50 parking with free buffet across the north entrance to the stadium during Copa America Centenario has been leveled. Pounded those ribs! Man those were the days... $333 for 4 tickets lower bowl then guaranteed ticket for the final in NY for an extra $400?

I feel like an old dude remembering 20 cent cheeseburgers in the 50s

 

People keep doubting that the public transport cannot cope but all these stadia have been in existence for some time and very large crowds are hardly unusual, so what is the problem with this now?

 

No definitely not.

Price gouging on public transport is unheard of.

 

All have massive parking lots. FIFA have closed off much of this.

 

There are differences. FIFA taking over parking lots. Higher percentage's of crowd from out of town and without cars.

 

Your premise is incorrect: there were transportation problems in the past.

NJTransit failed to handle high-volume crowds for our nation's biggest sport event: Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife stadium, in Feb 2014.

Both in-stadium parking and tailgating were heavily reduced in 2014. Today, FIFA is getting away with a full ban on tailgating:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XLVIII#Security_and_safety

NJ State Senate opened an investigation after tons of 2014 Super Bowl attendees were left stranded while returning home:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Transit_Super_Bowl#Inquiry_and_report

Today in 2026, NJTransit has decided to fleece visiting WC fans, $95 a pop. NJTransit is trying to recoup money on its transportation infrastructure project (express bus lane to MetLife stadium from Secaucus Junction station) by overcharging fans coming from NYC.

NJTransit must have been inspired with what MBTA did to WC fans at Boston (MBTA's $35M upgrade of Foxboro train station >> visiting WC fans get $80 train tickets).

 

Tell me you're a local without telling me you're a local

This is all spot on. Secaucus will be crazy. I also wonder how NJ Transit will actually be charging $100 - maybe any ticket to Meadowlands regardless of origin will be that price?

 

No, man, don't give them any ideas!

I'm hoping us plebeians who'll be based in NJ and not in NYC can escape some of this madness.

 

I've been to games at a few of these venues by car, and also to a much smaller venue like the Red Bull Arena/Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison and, each and every time, it's been a shitshow. This is how I learned you need to show up to these places HOURS in advance to avoid most of the chaos. You will not, however, avoid the insanity of leaving the venue (last time I was at the Sports Illustrated it took me an hour to get out of the parking lot).

I'm probably leaving my house 4-5 hours before kickoff for NJ games.

 

Yep - this is the unfortunate truth. I think a lot of fans not familiar with Metlife will miss chunks of matches they paid a fortune for because of transportation. For public transit between NYC and Metlife, specifically, there are so many "legs" that can get delayed. And in the middle of summer? Better hope the overhead wires aren't melted otherwise the entire line will be shut down, not to mention Amtrak has priority over tracks.

For the uninitiated: https://www.reddit.com/r/newjersey/comments/1diohav/another_fun_day_of_dealing_with_nj_transits/

 

What exit are you?

The $95 train ticket is for a round-trip to NYC. Not sure how many Secaucus-MetLife trains will be available though. NJTransit isn't about to cannibalize its own $95 train scheme.

 

Dang, I hadn't thought of that!

I am planning on parking at Seacucus Junction (or nearby) and taking the train there to the Meadowlands. How much will that train be? $30-50? Another $100?

If they pull a fast one and say that the train to the stadium will be $100 regardless of where the journey starts, I might have to sell a NJ ticket or two.

 

I got super lucky and just got CAT3 tickets for German-Ivory Coast for $560. Higher than face value because they are "front row". Block 216 is not a horrible location I think. Any thoughts on that?

 

Check the NJTransit website, you should be able to confirm their planned train schedule between Secaucus and MetLife.

I truly hope its Secaucus express bus lane is ready to go. NJ commuters and EWR arrivals will needed it.