Football fans and officials have criticised steep public transport fare hikes linked to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, calling the costs excessive and unfair to supporters.
Washington: Football supporters have voiced strong anger after reports that public transport fares to venues for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States could rise sharply during the tournament, triggering accusations of excessive pricing and fan exploitation.
According to multiple reports, New Jersey Transit is considering charging more than $100 for a return journey from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium on match days. The same journey typically costs around $12.90, underscoring the scale of the proposed increase.
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In Boston, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has confirmed that return tickets to Gillette Stadium will cost about $80 during the tournament, compared with the usual $20 fare for event travel.
Fan groups have strongly criticised the pricing structure, arguing that such increases could limit access for ordinary supporters. A spokesperson for a French supporters’ organisation described the situation as a “disgrace”, pointing out that previous tournaments often included transport in ticket packages or offered subsidised travel.
Criticism has extended beyond fan groups. Chuck Schumer, the US Senate Minority Leader, has urged FIFA to cover public transport costs for fans, arguing that the governing body should contribute given its expected multi-billion-dollar earnings from the tournament.
Meanwhile, Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, also questioned the reported fare levels, describing them as “awfully high”.
Wider concerns over affordability
The issue adds to growing concerns about the overall cost of attending the 2026 tournament, with match tickets and accommodation prices already considered expensive across several host cities.
FIFA has not issued a public response to the criticism and is already facing scrutiny over ticket pricing. Transport authorities, however, have defended or clarified the proposals, stating that some figures remain unconfirmed and that pricing decisions are still under review.
Officials have also pointed to the higher operational costs associated with hosting a global event, including enhanced security and crowd management requirements.
Local transport agencies are expected to receive federal funding support to help manage infrastructure demands during the tournament. However, critics argue that such assistance does not justify passing significantly higher costs directly onto fans.
The controversy highlights broader concerns about accessibility at major international sporting events, particularly in a country like the United States, where travel distances between venues are often large and reliance on public transport varies significantly compared with previous editions of the tournament.
(With AFP inputs)
Published: 16 Apr 2026, 03:40 pm IST
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