🇺🇸 New York / New Jersey · USA
MetLife Stadium
82,500
Capacity
8
WC Matches
Open
Roof
2010
Opened
About MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hosts the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026 - the most-watched single sporting event on the planet. Shared home of the New York Giants and New York Jets, the stadium sits just 8 miles from Midtown Manhattan and will draw the biggest crowd in World Cup Final history.
Notable: New York-style hot dogs and Frank's Red Hot Buffalo wings; Brooklyn Lager and local NJ craft beer; carving stations for premium-club tickets.
Location & how to find it
Address
1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA
Seating layout & ticket categories
FIFA prices every match in four categories. Here's where each typically sits at MetLife Stadium.
Click to enlargeOfficial 2026 FIFA World Cup seat plan. © FIFA - shown for editorial reference. Buy tickets only at FIFA.com.
Find your seat
See exact sections on the FIFA chart
Section numbers and ticket category placement are also shown live in the FIFA ticket portal when you apply. The FIFA support article aggregates seat plans for every venue.
Ticket categories - what each tier means
Cat 1 · Premium
Sideline lower bowl - best sightlines
Cat 2 · Mid-premium
Sideline upper or end-zone lower
Cat 3 · Standard
Upper-bowl end zones, corners
Cat 4 · Resident-only
Restricted view, upper rows - host-country residents only
8 World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium
Every 2026 FIFA World Cup match scheduled at this venue, in chronological order.
Home Team
NY Giants & NY Jets (NFL)
Natural grass (hybrid)
WC 2026 Rounds Hosted
Match-day essentials
Everything you need to walk into MetLife Stadium for a 2026 World Cup match - bags, gates, transit, parking, and what's allowed inside.
Gates open
Gates typically open 90 minutes before kickoff for FIFA World Cup matches. Confirm exact times on the FIFA app once your tickets appear.
Bag policy
Clear bag only - max 12"×6"×12". One small clutch (4.5"×6.5") allowed.
Cash or card
Cashless
Bag policy in detail
Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12"×6"×12", or a one-gallon clear plastic Ziploc-style bag. One small clutch (4.5"×6.5") with or without a strap is also permitted in addition to the clear bag. No backpacks, no diaper bags, no opaque bags of any kind. This is the NFL standard policy and is expected to apply for World Cup 2026.
Prohibited items
- ×Backpacks and bags exceeding clear-bag limits
- ×Outside food and beverages (sealed water bottles often allowed)
- ×Cans, glass containers, hard-sided coolers
- ×Selfie sticks, tripods, and professional camera lenses (>4-6 inches)
- ×Drones, laser pointers, fireworks
- ×Flag poles longer than 3 feet (1 meter)
- ×Banners with commercial or political messaging
- ×Noisemakers, air horns, vuvuzelas (unless venue-specific exception)
- ×Weapons of any kind
- ×Illegal substances
Getting to the stadium
NJ Transit Rail (recommended)
Direct match-day trains from New York Penn Station to the Meadowlands Rail Station - 25-30 min, $13 round trip. Trains run every 10-20 min from 3 hours pre-match.
Bus 351 (NJ Transit)
From Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan - 45-60 min, runs match days.
Driving / Rideshare
I-95 / NJ Turnpike. Heavy traffic 90 min pre-match. Rideshare drop-off zones designated outside the stadium.
Parking
$40-80
Pre-pay online for guaranteed parking. Lots open ~5 hours before kickoff. Tailgating allowed in designated lots only.
When to arrive
Arrive 90-120 min before kickoff. Security lines for World Cup matches will be longer than NFL norms. NJ Transit gets crowded 60 min pre-match.
Post-match exit
Stadium clears in 60-90 min. NJ Transit return trains run for ~2 hours after final whistle. Rideshare surcharges 2-4× normal fares.
Inside the stadium
Alcohol
Beer and wine served at concessions until late in the second half. ID required (21+ in USA). Hard liquor not sold to general seating.
Smoking
Smoking and vaping prohibited inside the stadium and in concourses. Designated outdoor smoking areas may be available - check FIFA app on match day.
Re-entry
No - once you exit you cannot re-enter. Plan bathroom and food breaks accordingly.
Tickets
Mobile-only via the FIFA app. Save your ticket offline before leaving for the stadium and bring government photo ID matching your FIFA ID account.
Food & drink inside the stadium
What you can eat, drink, and try - plus the venue's signature dishes worth seeking out.
Concessions
Standard NFL stadium concessions: hot dogs, pretzels, pizza, burgers, nachos, popcorn, soft drinks, bottled water, beer (domestic + craft), wine, and coffee. Specialty stands rotate by event - the official stadium app lists the day's vendor map.
Beer & drinks
Local craft beer alongside national brands. Most NFL stadiums have a dedicated craft beer hall on the main concourse with regional breweries.
Don't miss
New York-style hot dogs and Frank's Red Hot Buffalo wings; Brooklyn Lager and local NJ craft beer; carving stations for premium-club tickets.
Accessibility
Wheelchair access, sensory accommodations, and other support services. Request these via FIFA.com when buying your ticket.
Wheelchair
Wheelchair-accessible seating with companion seats in every section. Elevators serve all levels. Request accessible seating through FIFA.com when buying tickets.
Sensory
Sensory rooms typically available - quiet spaces with noise-cancelling headphones for guests with sensory processing needs. Check the stadium app on match day for location.
Other support
ASL interpreters available for select matches on request. Audio-description headsets for visually-impaired guests at Guest Services. Service animals welcome.
Bringing kids and families
Nursing & family rooms
Nursing/lactation rooms available - typically on the main concourse near Guest Services. Free use, comfortable seating, sink, and changing table.
Children & infants
Children under 2 typically free as 'lap infants' (must request from FIFA when buying tickets). Children 2+ need their own ticket and FIFA ID.
Strollers
Strollers may be brought in but must be checked at Guest Services or stowed under seats. Some stadiums prohibit strollers in the seating bowl entirely - check on arrival.
Practical info
Photography
Personal cameras welcome (no detachable lenses longer than 4-6 inches). No professional cameras or video equipment. No tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks. Phone photography is unrestricted.
Lost & found
Guest Services on the main concourse handles lost-and-found during the event. Items not claimed are held at the stadium administrative office for ~30 days post-match.
First aid
First-aid stations on every concourse level - look for the white-cross signage on the stadium map. Trained EMTs on site for the duration of the event.
Smoking & vaping
Smoking/vaping prohibited inside the stadium and in concourses. Designated outdoor smoking areas may be available outside the gates - re-entry is generally NOT allowed, so plan accordingly.
Stadium tours
Public stadium tours are typically suspended during World Cup-related dates. Resume normally after the tournament.
First-time visitor tips
Insider notes specific to MetLife Stadium - the things that make match day smoother.
Enter through the gate closest to your section to skip the longest security lines - check your ticket on the FIFA app for the recommended gate.
Sections on the eastern side (100s low numbers) get the most shade for afternoon kickoffs.
The closest restrooms to the upper-deck concourse fill up immediately after halftime - go DURING the second-half open instead.
Use NJ Transit even if you have a car - the post-match parking-lot exit takes 60-90 minutes.
If you're seated in the upper deck (300s), use the elevators - the concrete stairs are steep and tiring with food/drinks.
Stadium Facts
Hosts the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026
Shared by two NFL teams - Giants and Jets - a unique arrangement
Cost $1.6 billion to build, one of the most expensive stadiums ever
Just 8 miles from Times Square via direct train from Penn Station
FIFA World Cup capacity: 78,576 (lower than regular NFL capacity)
MetLife Stadium FAQ
What's the bag policy at MetLife Stadium for the World Cup?+
Clear bag only - max 12"×6"×12", plus one small 4.5"×6.5" clutch. No backpacks, no opaque bags. The NFL clear-bag policy is standard at MetLife and is expected to apply for FIFA World Cup matches.
How early do gates open at MetLife Stadium?+
Typically 90 minutes before kickoff for FIFA World Cup matches. Arrive 90-120 min early to clear security comfortably - World Cup security will be tighter than regular NFL events.
How do I get from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium on match day?+
Take an NJ Transit train from Penn Station NY direct to Meadowlands Rail Station - 25-30 min, $13 round trip. Trains run every 10-20 min starting ~3 hours pre-match. Easiest and most reliable option.
Is parking available at MetLife Stadium for World Cup matches?+
Yes - typical NFL pricing of $40-80 per spot. Pre-pay online for a guaranteed space. Lots open about 5 hours before kickoff. Tailgating is allowed in designated lots.
Can I bring food into MetLife Stadium?+
No outside food. Sealed bottled water is generally allowed. The stadium has full concessions on every level. Cashless throughout - bring a card or mobile pay.
Planning a Visit?
Read the full New York / New Jersey city guide for transport routes, neighbourhoods, and visitor tips.
New York / New Jersey Visitor Guide →