The World Cup at Met Life Stadium

Your Complete Guide to the World Cup in New Jersey, 2026

The Montclair Pod June 9, 2026
Your Complete Guide to the World Cup in New Jersey — Montclair Pod

The last time the FIFA World Cup was held in the United States, Bill Clinton was president, the internet was barely a thing, and the games were played in Giants Stadium — the same patch of New Jersey swampland that now houses MetLife, the most modern football venue in the country. That was 1994. Thirty-two years later, the World Cup is back. And New Jersey isn’t just a footnote this time — it’s hosting eight matches, more than any other American venue, including the World Cup Final on July 19. The eyes of billions of people will, at some point this summer, be pointed at East Rutherford.

Greg Kahn, a Montclair resident and founder of GK Digital Ventures, has been living inside this world for the past 18 months. He doesn’t understate the scale. “This is not only the largest World Cup ever,” he told the Montclair Pod. “It’s the largest sporting event ever, and it’s the largest cultural event in the world ever. We’re talking about six billion people projected to watch some factor of the World Cup via linear or digital means.”

If you live in Essex County, that means something concrete. The stadium is 12 miles from Montclair. Brazil is training in Morristown. Thousands of international journalists will be working out of Montclair State University. And Kahn himself is bringing the Global Game Summit — a B2B soccer business conference — to Prudential Center in Newark four days before the Final.

Kahn offered one reminder worth holding onto as you plan: “Sports is a unifying force, whether it’s an Olympics or a World Cup or some sort of affair. There are so many kids that can be inspired by this, to see their players. There are a lot of folks that need that right now — that need some joy, that need something to root for. And I encourage you to do that during this World Cup.”

For Kahn’s full insider breakdown of what the tournament means for Montclair commuters, homeowners, and local businesses, read our interview overview and listen to the episode below.

JUMP TO SECTION
1 The games: full schedule at MetLife Stadium 8 matches · June 13 – July 19 ⌄

MetLife Stadium — officially renamed “New York New Jersey Stadium” — will host eight matches, the most of any American venue. “We’ve got England playing here, we’ve got France playing here, we’ve got Germany playing here. We have Norway playing here. We’re gonna have some incredible matches.” — Greg Kahn

For the full schedule across all host cities: FIFA World Cup 2026 official site →

Group stage

Sat, June 13
Brazil vs. Morocco
6:00 p.m. ET
The regional opener. Both teams training in NJ — a genuine home game for fans on both sides. Brazil, five-time world champions. Morocco, semifinalists in 2022.
Tue, June 16
France vs. Senegal
3:00 p.m. ET
France, the reigning runner-up, vs. Senegal. Senegal’s base camp is at Rutgers; their fans will have traveled far.
Mon, June 22
Norway vs. Senegal
8:00 p.m. ET
Erling Haaland’s Norway — one of the tournament’s most anticipated newcomers — in a night game. Expect a charged atmosphere.
Thu, June 25
Ecuador vs. Germany
4:00 p.m. ET
Germany is always a draw. Ecuador’s passionate fan base will travel.
Sat, June 27
Panama vs. England
5:00 p.m. ET
England fans travel in massive numbers. The New York metro area has a large English expat community. Expect something close to a home game for the Three Lions.

Knockout rounds

Tue, June 30
Round of 32
5:00 p.m. ET  ·  matchup TBD
Sun, July 5
Round of 16
4:00 p.m. ET  ·  matchup TBD
Sun, July 19
⚽ THE WORLD CUP FINAL
3:00 p.m. ET
First-ever World Cup Final halftime show: Shakira, Madonna, and BTS, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and produced with Global Citizen. An estimated four billion viewers worldwide. Happening 12 miles from Montclair.

How to watch on TV

English: FOX and FS1 — stream via FOX Sports and Fox One
Spanish: Telemundo and Universo — stream via Peacock

2 Getting there: transportation, parking & what you need to know No parking · 4 options ⌄

This is not a normal NFL game day. No tailgating, no personal parking, a transit-first mandate, and crowds on a scale the stadium hasn’t seen before. Read this section carefully. Official mobility plan →

No parking, no tailgating. The lots where Jets and Giants fans tailgate for hours are not available. FIFA and the NYNJ Host Committee have converted them to shuttle staging areas, fan villages, and FIFA staff facilities. No exceptions.
“I will not be timing going into the city during match days, that’s for sure. It’s going to be a challenge. I’m not going to candy coat this at all.” — Greg Kahn

Your options from Montclair

Option 1 — Recommended
NJ Transit train — $98 round trip
Drive or rideshare to Secaucus Junction → Meadowlands rail line → Sports Complex Station, steps from MetLife. Only 40,000 tickets per match, sold in advance via the NJ Transit app only — not at station windows on match day. Your $98 ticket also covers unlimited NJ Transit system travel all day, so your Montclair-to-Secaucus ride is included at no extra cost. Physical wristband required for return trip. Valid FIFA match ticket required to purchase. Price reduced from $150 through sponsorships from DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries, and American Water.
Option 2
Official shuttle bus — $20 round trip
From Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Terminal, and Columbus Circle in NYC; also park-and-ride from Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine in NJ. About 18,000 tickets per match via the NJ Transit app. Reduced from an originally announced $80. NYC DOT has converted 42nd Street and two lanes of Sixth Avenue (42nd–59th St) to dedicated World Cup transit corridors on match days.
Option 3
Rideshare
Drop-off and pick-up at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, roughly a mile walk from the entrance. Surge pricing will be significant. More practical from Essex County than from Manhattan.
Option 4
Drive and park at American Dream — $225
The only parking near the stadium. Pre-purchase required, FIFA ticketholders only. Reserve via JustPark. Most spaces for popular matches are likely already sold out.

On the roads

All MetLife match days are official NYC Gridlock Alert Days. Routes 3, 17, the NJ Turnpike interchange near the complex, and Lincoln Tunnel approaches will be heavily congested. Post-game crowds at transit hubs are intense. Don’t lose the physical wristband distributed at the stadium gates — it’s required to board the return train.

3 American Dream: the stadium next door Dream Fan Fest · 39 days ⌄

American Dream — the enormous entertainment and retail complex connected to MetLife by two pedestrian bridges — is running a 39-day celebration called Dream Fan Fest. Worth visiting even without a match ticket. Full lineup: americandream.com/dream-fan-fest →

“American Dream is where the hub of most of the FIFA activity is going to take place. It’s the only walkable venue to the MetLife Stadium.” — Greg Kahn
  • Daily big-screen viewing parties for every match
  • Concerts at Dream Live Performing Arts Center, The Rink, and the Expo Center
  • DreamWorks Water Park events and postgame programming
  • The Messi Experience — museum-style exhibit honoring Lionel Messi
  • The Soccer Factory — a museum dedicated to Diego Maradona
  • La Plaza de Fútbol — 1,000 NJ small businesses, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • 11 full-service restaurants with curated World Cup menus
For local businesses: The third floor of American Dream is for small and medium businesses. Vendor registration still open at plaza.futbol — requires NJ business registration certificate, certificate of insurance, and a $25 application fee. Kahn: “There is an opportunity to get involved on that — to kind of participate on that bigger platform.”

Getting there: Direct NJ Transit bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal, Manhattan. Rideshare drop-off available (expect surge pricing on match days).

4 Fan hubs & watch zones across the region Free options · June 13 – July 19 ⌄

You don’t need a MetLife ticket to feel the World Cup. Free fan experiences run across the region for the full 39 days of the tournament. Full details: nynjfwc26.com/fan-experiences →

Official NYNJ fan hubs

Jersey Fan Hub — Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, NJFree
Open select dates June 13–July 15. 60-foot screen on the pitch, “Hype House” (20 TVs, 360-degree bar, live DJs and bands). Concerts including Kygo & Kaleo on June 22. Register at sportsillustratedstadium.com/fan-hub. Getting there: PATH train to Harrison station, short walk — much easier and cheaper than MetLife.
Fan Zone Queens — USTA Billie Jean King Center, FlushingFree
Open June 17–28. General admission free; children under 12 free. Located near Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Fan Village — Rockefeller Center, ManhattanFree
Open July 4–19 for the knockout stages. FIFA Museum exhibit and Telemundo partnership programming.
Hudson Yards Backyard Fan Zone, ManhattanFree
60-foot screen, full tournament, free first-come first-served seating. Take the 7 train to 34th St–Hudson Yards.

Additional fan zones: Bronx (June 13–14), Staten Island (June 29–July 2), Brooklyn Bridge Park (June 13–19).

Flag Cities NJ — community fan fests

The Goya-sponsored Flag Cities 2026 series runs June 8–July 16 across Hudson and Bergen counties. Food trucks, beer gardens, live entertainment, LED screens, soccer zones. Host cities: Newark, Paterson, Bayonne, East Rutherford, Hackensack, Jersey City, Secaucus. Notable stop: Overpeck Park in Leonia on June 14.

North to Shore Festival

Presented by NJPAC, the North to Shore Festival runs June 13–July 16 across Essex, Monmouth, and Atlantic counties with World Cup-tied programming. Check NJPAC’s site for Essex County dates and venues.

5 The Global Game Summit: the business of soccer comes to Newark July 15 · Prudential Center ⌄

Four days before the World Cup Final kicks off 20 minutes away, the business of global soccer convenes at Prudential Center in Newark. The only B2B soccer summit of its kind during World Cup finals week — created by Montclair resident Greg Kahn.

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026  ·  8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET
(Programming 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Executive Networking & Hospitality 3:00–6:00 p.m.)

Venue: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Tickets: Ticketmaster.com  ·  globalgamesummit.com
“It is the only B2B men’s and women’s soccer summit taking place during the finals week of the World Cup. It was very intentional to do this in New Jersey. New Jersey’s media and sports and tech industries are on a rapid rise. And it’s time for New Jersey to get its due.” — Greg Kahn

Produced in partnership with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment — the ownership group behind the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia 76ers, and Crystal Palace FC. The 2025 inaugural edition drew participants from 28 countries. Attendance is limited and curated. Past participants and media partners have included ESPN, The Athletic, Fox Sports, the Wall Street Journal, and Sportico.

2026 program tracks

  • Ownership & Capital
  • Brands, Marketing & Global Market Entry
  • Women’s Game & Global Growth
  • Athletes as Platforms
  • AI, Tech & Data
  • Media Rights & Distribution
  • Creator Economy & Fan Monetization
  • Gaming & Emerging Platforms
6 Montclair’s own World Cup moment MSU media center · July 12 festival ⌄

Montclair isn’t just near the action — it’s part of the infrastructure. Two things make that literal: Montclair State University is hosting the official regional media center for the tournament, and Montclair has its own World Cup community event at Lackawanna Plaza on July 12.

Montclair State University: the regional media center

The NYNJ Host Committee and Montclair State University have created an official World Cup Media Center on the MSU campus — just 11 miles from MetLife. Deadline-style workspaces, broadcast and podcast studios, live production capabilities, and on-site technical support. Thousands of international journalists will be based here for the duration of the tournament.

“The press is going to be housed at Montclair State. All the official press is going to be at Montclair State for the World Cup. And again, they could have been in a lot of different places, but they’re right here in our backyard.” — Greg Kahn

Non-overnight press must register at least 48 hours in advance; space is limited, first-come first-served. Contact: worldcupmedia@montclair.edu

Montclair as a creative hub

“Montclair has a really special role in bringing the creative class, the technology class, the business class together. It really is about community and it’s about culture.” — Greg Kahn, Board of Trustees, Montclair Film

Montclair International Food & Dance Festival — July 12

At Lackawanna Plaza. Part of the NJ World Cup Community Initiative, which received $5 million in state funding to support 34 events across New Jersey. International food vendors, live music and dance, watch party programming. Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

7 Team base camps: the world is training in your backyard 4 teams · all NJ-based ⌄

Four national teams have selected New Jersey as their official base camp — one of the most heavily represented World Cup training hubs in North America. For residents of Montclair and Essex County, the most decorated soccer players in the world are training, eating, and recovering within a half-hour drive.

“There are four countries hosting their base camps in the state of New Jersey, one very close by, which is one of the biggest football — as they call it, not soccer — countries in the world, and that’s Brazil, which is gonna be outside of Morristown.” — Greg Kahn
🇧🇷 Brazil
Training: RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center, Morris Township  ·  Hotel: The Ridge Hotel, Basking Ridge
Brand-new $100M+ facility, roughly 30 miles west of MetLife. NY Red Bulls →
🇲🇦 Morocco
Training: The Pingry School, Bernards Township  ·  Hotel: Somerset Hills Hotel (Tapestry by Hilton), Warren
Same Pingry campus that hosted Italy in 1994. Brazil and Morocco’s camps are roughly five miles apart — they face each other in the MetLife opener on June 13.
🇸🇳 Senegal
Training: Rutgers University, Piscataway  ·  Hotel: The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center, New Brunswick
Plays two MetLife group stage matches: vs. France (June 16) and vs. Norway (June 22).
🇭🇹 Haiti
Training: Stockton University, Galloway  ·  Hotel: Atlantic City Sheraton
Competing in just their second-ever World Cup.
8 Where to stay Montclair · Meadowlands · Newark · NYC ⌄

Hotels across the region sold out early for popular match dates. For options: Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb, VRBO.

“Short-term rentals, Airbnb, VRBO — some folks are coming over in groups of ten and they might be with multi-generations that are coming and they can’t stay in a hotel. Montclarians still have a chance to do it if they would like to. They just have to be nimble and flexible.” — Greg Kahn

Where to stay in Montclair

Staying in Montclair puts you in the middle of some of the best dining and nightlife in the region — and just 12 miles from MetLife. Both properties below are within easy reach of Bloomfield Avenue and all the restaurants and bars in this guide.

The George37 N. Mountain Ave · Boutique
A 31-room luxury boutique hotel owned by Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker, housed in a landmark 1902 building. Listed in the Michelin Guide. Complimentary European-style breakfast daily, complimentary wine and cheese each evening by the historic fireplace, private gym. Each room individually furnished. The George Suite has an outdoor hot tub and garden. Free parking on site. Book via thegeorgemontclair.com.
The MC Hotel690 Bloomfield Ave · Marriott Autograph Collection
Montclair’s largest hotel — 159 rooms with an urban-chic aesthetic, 8,500+ sq ft of event space, and the Splendid Rooftop bar with Manhattan views (see Where to Eat). Also houses Allegory, the hotel’s signature shared-plate restaurant. Walkable to virtually everything on Bloomfield Avenue. Book via Marriott.com.

Closest to MetLife (Meadowlands)

Carlstadt, Rutherford, Secaucus, North Bergen — short drive or rideshare to the stadium. Notable properties: Best Western Premier NYC Gateway (North Bergen), La Quinta Inn & Suites Clifton/Rutherford. Dining near the stadium is more limited than in Newark, Jersey City, or Manhattan, though American Dream is walkable.

Jersey City / Hoboken / Newark

  • Jersey City: 15 min to Harrison Fan Hub on PATH; 30–45 min to MetLife via transit
  • Hoboken: Good nightlife, 20 min to Harrison Fan Hub
  • Newark: 10 min to Harrison; close to Prudential Center; Ironbound dining — underrated base for multi-match fans

Midtown Manhattan

Walking distance to Penn Station for NJ Transit connections. Recommended: Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel, Crowne Plaza HY36 (West 36th St).

Note on proposed Meadowlands sales tax: State Senator Paul Sarlo has proposed a temporary 3% surcharge on food, drinks, and entertainment near the stadium, plus a 2.5% statewide hotel surcharge. Verify current legislative status before purchasing.
9 Where to eat Ironbound · Montclair · regional picks ⌄

New Jersey may have the most diverse dining scene per square mile of any state in the country. For our full curated Montclair guide: Montclair Food & Drink Guide →  ·  Farnoosh & Mike Eat Food series →

Newark’s Ironbound

Twenty minutes from MetLife. One of the best concentrations of Portuguese and Brazilian restaurants in the country. ironbound-newark.com →

“Take Newark as an example, which has a huge Portuguese fan base around there. They’re all in on Brazil and Portugal.” — Greg Kahn

Highlights: Seabra’s Marisqueira, Fernandes Steak House, Casa Vasca, Adega Grill. Go at lunch to avoid dinner crowds.

Harrison / Kearny

Kearny was the cradle of American soccer — home to Tony Meola, Tab Ramos, and John Harkes. Portuguese and Spanish restaurants within walking distance of the Fan Hub.

Jersey City & Hoboken

Jersey City: Indian, Filipino, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Peruvian and more. Journal Square and Grove Street are both strong. Hoboken: better for bars and pre-game drinks than destination dining; Washington Street has good all-day options.

Montclair — 12 picks

Montclair has over 230 restaurants for a town of 40,000. Here’s the breakdown by occasion.

The Splendid at the MC Hotel690 Bloomfield Ave
Best for: pre-game drinks & match watching
Montclair’s only rooftop bar with views stretching to Manhattan. Part sports bar, part skyline lounge — plush velvet seating, flat screens, inventive kitchen. The one dessert: a Guinness Stout Gelato Cake worth ordering. Lively on Fridays and Saturdays. Read our review →
Clementina627 Valley Rd · BYOB · New
Best for: a special dinner with visiting guests
Montclair’s most talked-about new opening (June 2026). Modern Italian from Chef Michele Rocchi — Adriatic Coast traditions in a beautifully restored 1893 building. Pasta made via a patented Italian cold-extrusion process exclusive to Clementina in the US. The Maccheroncini al Fumé and the deconstructed tiramisu are the standouts. BYOB: Angelbeck’s and The Grape Collective are steps away. Wed–Sun, dinner only. Reservations recommended.
Turtle and the Wolf622 Valley Rd
Best for: a proper summer dinner
Montclair’s benchmark farm-to-table American. Seasonal menu, legendary backyard patio, devoted fried chicken following. One of Montclair’s five essential summer tables →
Oso FelipeNear Walnut St
Best for: brunch before a match
Modern Mexican. The watermelon salad (chilies, sesame oil, scallions) is one of the most surprising dishes in town. Chilaquiles verde — messy, indulgent, worth it. Read our review →
JalwaGlenridge Ave
Best for: generous, affordable lunch
North Indian comfort food. Lunch special under $20 covers an appetizer, entrée, rice, bread, and dessert. Chicken makhni, palak paneer, malai kofta, copious garlic naan. Read our review →
Ray’s LuncheonetteWalnut St
Best for: cheap, classic breakfast
Open since the 1960s. Named by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of 25 historic restaurants in the United States — a $40,000 grant followed. The Freddy Fred burger and chorizo omelette are the anchors. Hearty breakfast and coffee under $20. Go early. Read our review →  ·  History →
La Fontaine12 N. Willow St
Best for: coffee, pastries & Turkish breakfast
Simit, eggs, olives, cheeses, and spreads — a menu you won’t find anywhere else in Essex County. Strong espresso, fresh smoothies. Adam Sandler has been spotted here. Read our review →
Qahwah House
Best for: traditional Yemeni coffee
Spiced, slow-brewed coffee in an atmosphere that invites you to sit and stay. Completely different from a standard café. Read our review →
Sushi KoshiWatchung Plaza
Best for: relaxed neighborhood dinner
Consistent, warm neighborhood sushi. Every meal ends with complimentary mochi. Good on a weeknight without a reservation. Read our review →
PastaRAMENBYOB · no signage
Best for: the most inventive meal in town
Chef Robbie Felice’s Italian-Japanese fusion. Montclair’s hardest reservation — announced only by a circular glowing light outside. Cacio e Pepe Gyoza, Wafu Italian Caesar Salad. Bring wine from Amanti Vino next door. Book as far ahead as possible.
Raymond’sBloomfield Ave · BYOB
Best for: classic Montclair brunch
Whimsical interior, all-day comfort food, weekend lines. French toast, huevos rancheros, homemade marshmallows. Best portions guide →
Summer outdoor dining picks
Best for: warm evenings on a patio
Bar Franco (Church St — Italian tapas, cocktail-bar energy, Manhattan side-street feel); Zeugma Mediterranean Grill (South Park St — BYOB summer patio, order the lamb and grilled halloumi); De Novo European Pub (275 Bellevue — renovated train station, broad beer list). Full outdoor dining guide →

Pizza: We visited five spots within blocks of Bloomfield Avenue. Read the full taste test → — featuring My Little Pizza Heaven (behind Lackawanna Plaza), Brick and Dough, and Ah’Pizz.

10 Where to watch games locally Lackawanna · bars · fan zones ⌄

Don’t have tickets to MetLife? Between Lackawanna Plaza, the Harrison Fan Hub, and a growing list of bars setting up match-day programming, there are plenty of ways to feel the World Cup without paying four figures.

Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair

“Locally, Lackawanna Plaza is going to be showing the matches. Highly recommend that everybody go see them.” — Greg Kahn

Match schedule at their dedicated website: summerofsoccermontclairnj.com →

Bars & watch parties in Montclair

Sam’s Table is converting its dining room into a World Cup café for the full 39 days — long-table dining, relaxed European atmosphere. Egan and Sons on Walnut Street (VisitNJ’s top Montclair pick for European football, 28 draught beers). Tierney’s Tavern on Valley Road is the town’s other natural soccer bar. Check Instagram pages or call ahead for specific 2026 match programming.

Closest to Montclair

Varitage Brew Works in Bloomfield — seven miles from MetLife, has been building toward this tournament since opening. Lucky Strike is showing all matches at its North Brunswick and Green Brook locations, with themed cocktails and giveaways throughout the tournament.

The gap Kahn flagged: “I’m seeing that happen in New York City, in the five boroughs — there are specific bars for specific countries. Have not seen that as much in New Jersey to date, especially in the Montclair area. But there are opportunities for bars to still step up and do it. I think it would be a strong marketing move to do it for certain countries.”
11 Fan & supporter clubs USA · Brazil · Morocco · Senegal · Haiti ⌄

The New York/New Jersey region has deep soccer fandom roots, and the concentration of base camps here means those fan communities now have their teams in the backyard.

“There’s a broader feeling internationally that maybe they’re not welcome here. Montclarians always have the spirit that everyone’s welcome. I would be vocal about that. You’re welcome here. We want to see the Haitians here and we want to see the Moroccans here and the Senegalese here in town.” — Greg Kahn
  • American Outlaws (USA) — the official USMNT supporter group. Active NJ and NYC chapters.
  • Empire Supporter Club (NY Red Bulls) — local MLS supporters plugged into the World Cup’s NJ programming. Active at the Harrison Fan Hub.
  • Brazilian fan communities — with Brazil training in Morristown, fans from across the tri-state area are organizing around match days. The Ironbound is the natural gathering point.
  • Moroccan fan communities — New Jersey has close to 10,000 residents of Moroccan descent. Gov. Sherrill specifically noted this when Morocco announced its NJ base camp.
  • French and Senegalese communities — both teams play two group stage matches at MetLife. Large francophone communities in Newark and Jersey City will be well-represented.
12 Tickets: what they cost and where to find them Group stage · Final · resale ⌄

Official tickets: FIFA.com/tickets →

Resale: StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster Resale

As of early June, resale prices for group-stage matches at MetLife are down roughly 24% from their April highs — average cheapest available seats around $560. Lower-bowl seats remain above $1,000 for most matches. The Final is a different universe: cheapest listed at approximately $9,775; one category-three seat was listed at $143,750. Prices will continue to fluctuate as the tournament progresses.
“The ticket prices were oversold, the thought that anyone would fly anywhere to just see an early round match when a lot of them are not necessarily top matchups. You’re gonna see folks, once the knockout rounds start to be settled, start to come over and start to make their arrangements.” — Greg Kahn
“The South American countries are here regardless — Brazil, Argentina, Colombia. Mexico also. But many European countries, including Western European countries other than Scotland, are seeing softer demand.” — Greg Kahn

For Montclair homeowners thinking about renting short-term: “Look to see who’s playing here in the Round of 32 and the Round of 16, and of course around the Final. There’s gonna be tremendous opportunity, but it requires being nimble.” — Greg Kahn

13 Practical tips & what to expect Transit · crowds · roads · local biz ⌄
🚆Buy NJ Transit tickets early. The 40,000-per-match cap means they will sell out. Purchase only via the NJ Transit app. Your $98 ticket also covers unlimited same-day travel across the NJ Transit system — your Montclair-to-Secaucus leg is included at no extra cost.
👥Expect crowds everywhere. MetLife, the Harrison Fan Hub, American Dream, the Ironbound, and midtown Manhattan will all be far more crowded on match days. Build extra time into everything.
⚽Learn the teams. First-ever 48-team tournament. The format is more complex than previous World Cups. See FIFA.com for full details.
🚗Be patient on the roads. Route 3, Route 17, the NJ Turnpike near the Meadowlands, and Lincoln Tunnel approaches will be severely congested on match days.
💵Keep an eye on prices near the stadium. A proposed Meadowlands District sales tax surcharge (if passed) would affect food, drinks, and entertainment near MetLife. Eat before you arrive.
🔋Bring cash and a portable charger. Fan zones and food trucks are cash-friendly. Cell service at crowded outdoor events can be unreliable.
☀️Check weather. National Weather Service → Late June and early July in NJ can be hot. Hydrate and wear sunscreen at outdoor fan zones.
🏪For local businesses: “Everything from a hair or beauty salon, to a bodega, to massage parlors, to gyms — I would start promoting the fact that you’re open, so there’s an awareness for international folks of what actually is in town.” And: “The Brazilians are looking for Padel. If anyone owns a Padel court anywhere, they want to play on their off days.” — Greg Kahn
14 Resources & external links Official · transit · local · dining ⌄
Official World Cup
Transportation
Venues & fan experiences
The Global Game Summit
Watch & stream
Tickets (resale)
Accommodations
Local & regional
Montclair dining
Watch parties & bars
Supporter clubs
Team base camps
Weather & planning

Image Credit: Gemeni

The Montclair Pod
The Montclair Pod

The Montclair Pod is Montclair, New Jersey's favorite weekly obsession — an award-winning podcast where veteran journalists Farnoosh Torabi and Michael Schreiber dig into everything that makes this town tick (and occasionally drive everyone crazy). From school board showdowns and municipal budget chaos to the hottest new restaurant on Bloomfield Avenue, no local story is too big, too small, or too delightfully weird to cover. Each week, Farnoosh and Mike sit down with the neighbors, leaders, and characters shaping Montclair's future — and have a pretty good time doing it.

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