Central Park to MetLife Stadium: World Cup Matchday Transportation Guide

One return option from MetLife drops you near Central Park instead of a Midtown transit hub.

Current as of June 25, 2026

Every NYC World Cup match is played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, renamed the New York New Jersey Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. There's no general parking on matchdays, and all eight match dates are NYC Gridlock Alert Days, so getting there means the shuttle, the train, or a car, not your own. Which one makes sense comes down to where you're staying and how comfortable you are finding your way around the subway.

After the match, one return option skips the Midtown transit hubs: for a flat $49, the Uber Shuttle brings fans back to West 81st Street and Central Park West, dropping you right at Central Park instead of a crowded train platform. It's return-only though, so you still need a way there. Full details can be found below under Option 3: Rideshare and the Uber Return Shuttle.

Three Ways to Get to the New York New Jersey Stadium

Three options run from Manhattan to the stadium, the official shuttle, NJ Transit, and rideshare. They differ on price, how many transfers, and how much NYC navigating you're up for.

Option 1: Official Shuttle

Best for: Visitors who want one ticket and no transfers.

Cost: $20 round trip.

Shuttle pickup hubs: Four total, color-coded by route. The first three are in Manhattan.

  • Columbus Circle (Red Line, listed as Midtown North), at the southwest corner of Central Park. It's on the West Side subway lines, the 1, 2, A, B, C, and D.
  • Midtown East (Green Line), near Grand Central. It's on the East Side lines, the 4, 5, and 6, plus the 7 from Queens.
  • Port Authority (Blue Line), at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. This is where the most subway lines converge, so it's the catch-all hub.
  • There's also a New Jersey park-and-ride at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (Yellow Line) for anyone driving in, pre-booked only.

If you're driving into the city to take the shuttle, parking near Central Park puts you within walking distance of the Columbus Circle hub. Get discounted parking with our guide to parking near Central Park for details.

How to buy shuttle tickets: Tickets are sold by match, not by departure time, through the official shuttle ticketing page, and you need a valid match ticket to buy and to board. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Post-match service runs for up to 3 hours, so a long match or extra time won't strand you.

Option 2: NJ Transit

Best for: Visitors comfortable navigating NYC transit who don't mind one transfer.

Cost: $98 round trip.

How it works: The train runs from Penn Station to Secaucus Junction, where you transfer to the stadium-bound rail line, officially renamed the DoorDash Meadowlands Rail Line during the World Cup. Matchday rail service from Penn Station starts about 4 hours before kickoff, and return service runs frequently for about 3 hours after the final whistle.

Where to board: NJ Transit assigns your zone and prints it on your ticket, so head to the zone shown there. Line up on the street outside Penn Station:

  • Boarding Zone A: 32nd Street and 6th Avenue. Get there on the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, or W to 34th Street-Herald Square, or the 1, 2, or 3 to 34th Street-Penn Station, then walk to 6th Avenue. From the Columbus Circle area it's roughly a 10-minute ride plus the walk.
  • Boarding Zone B: 33rd Street and 7th Avenue. Reachable the same way as Zone A, take the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, or W to 34th Street-Herald Square, or the 1, 2, or 3 to 34th Street-Penn Station, then walk to 7th Avenue.

Two things to do in advance if you choose this route:

  1. Download the NJ Transit app and purchase tickets in advance. There's a 40,000-rider cap per match and no day-of sales at stations.
  2. Get your Matchday Wristband, issued during ticket inspection before you board, and required to ride NJ Transit both to and from the match. No wristband = no ride.

Option 3: Rideshare, and the Uber Return Shuttle

Rideshare works differently depending on whether you’re going to MetLife or coming back.

Getting to the Stadium

If you’re taking a car to the match, plan extra time. Standard Uber and Lyft can only drop you at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, not directly at the stadium. From there, you’ll walk about 1.3 miles (22 minutes) to the gates.

Matchday traffic can make rideshares slow and expensive. NJ Transit has warned driving to the stadium can take significantly longer during matchday congestion. Unlike the Uber Shuttle, there's no fixed fare for standard rideshares, so expect surge pricing in both directions. 

DashPass members with a match ticket can access free bus rides to the stadium through the DoorDash NY/NJ Match Bus program. Check the DoorDash app for availability.

Getting back: Uber Return Shuttle

The Uber Shuttle is the option worth knowing about if you want to end your night closer to Central Park or just avoid the Midtown crowds. A second drop-off serves Jersey City (Newport Station) for fans staying on the New Jersey side.

  • Price: $49 flat fare (no surge pricing)
  • Service: Return-only, after the match
  • Vehicle: 50-seat shuttle vans
  • Manhattan drop-off: West 81st Street and Central Park West, near the American Museum of Natural History
  • Note: The Manhattan drop-off is the only stop in NYC, so if you're staying elsewhere in the city you can continue by subway from the drop-off point. The closest option is the B/C train at 81 St–Museum of Natural History, with nearby 1 train connections along Broadway.

The shuttle is released by matchday, so check the Uber app for availability on your match date.

How Early to Leave for Your Match

Give yourself more time than you normally would on matchday. NYC crowds, stadium security, transit queues, and limited access points can all add time to the journey.

A good rule: plan your route backward from kickoff and add extra buffer for your transportation choice. Use your route as a starting point, then add time based on where you are in the city.

If You're Taking the Shuttle

Plan to arrive at your Manhattan pickup hub with extra time before departure.

  • Allow time to reach your pickup point from your hotel, activity, or restaurant.
  • Add 30-45 minutes of buffer for matchday lines and boarding.
  • If you’re spending the day in Central Park, check your walking time to your chosen hub before leaving.

If You're Taking NJ Transit

Build in more time than a normal train ride.

You’ll need time to:

  • Reach your boarding zone
  • Complete ticket checks
  • Receive your Matchday Wristband
  • Board before departure

If you’re coming from Central Park, remember that getting to Penn Station or the boarding zones may involve a subway ride and extra walking.

If You're Taking a Rideshare

Going by car to MetLife requires the biggest buffer.

Expect:

  • Matchday traffic approaching the Meadowlands
  • Drop-off is 1.3 miles away from the stadium
  • A 22 minute walk from the rideshare drop-off area to the gates

For the return trip, the Uber Return Shuttle may be worth considering if you want to finish closer to Central Park.

What to Know Before You Go

  • If you're driving into the city and parking near Central Park before taking the shuttle, see our guide to parking near Central Park for discounts and other info.
  • If you're taking NJ Transit, the Matchday Wristband is issued during ticket inspection at your boarding zone, before your outbound train, and is required to ride both to and from the match. No wristband = no ride.
  • Download the NJ Transit app if you're taking the train.
  • Leave large items behind. Suitcases, non-transparent bags, flagpoles, banners, and rigid-handled items are prohibited on all official transportation.
  • No general parking at MetLife on matchdays. Limited premium parking at American Dream and accessible parking in the stadium's J Lot are pre-purchase only.
  • Standard rideshare surges hard and drops 1.3 miles out. The $20 shuttle, the $98 train, and the $49 Uber return shuttle are all fixed-price.
  • For the full NJ Transit matchday walkthrough, routing, and wristband details, see the official NJ Transit World Cup page.
  • For accessible transit, vehicles, and parking, see the official New York New Jersey accessibility guide.
  • MetLife Stadium runs as the New York New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup, capacity 82,500.

Visiting Central Park on Matchdays

Central Park sits right where your matchday begins and ends, so it's easy to build into the day. Visit the park in the hours before kickoff and enjoy a slow morning, a yoga class, a bike tour, or a picnic. Or take Uber Shuttle on the way back from the match and get dropped off right at the park's edge at West 81st Street. If you're traveling with someone who won't be going to a match, Central Park is also a great place for them to spend a full day while you're away at the stadium.

Here are some helpful guides to get you started:

Still looking for accommodations? Hotels near Columbus Circle put you closest to the shuttle hub and Central Park. See our guide to hotels near Central Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the New York New Jersey Stadium the same as MetLife Stadium?

Yes, MetLife Stadium is renamed the New York New Jersey Stadium for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It's in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a capacity of 82,500.

How do I get to MetLife Stadium from Manhattan for a World Cup match?

Fans can take the official shuttle, NJ Transit, or rideshare. The best choice depends on where you're staying and whether you want a direct route or are comfortable navigating NYC transit.

Is there a way back from MetLife Stadium that avoids Midtown?

The Uber Return Shuttle brings fans back to West 81st Street and Central Park West after the match for a flat $49 fare.

What is the NJ Transit Matchday Wristband and why do I need it?

The Matchday Wristband is issued during ticket inspection at your boarding zone, before your outbound train, and is required to ride NJ Transit both to and from the match. No wristband = no ride.

How early should I leave for a World Cup match at MetLife Stadium?

Plan your route backward from kickoff and add extra buffer for matchday crowds, security, and transit queues. For the shuttle, allow 30 to 45 minutes for boarding lines on top of your travel time to the pickup hub.

Is there parking at MetLife Stadium on matchdays?

No, there's no general parking at MetLife on matchdays. Limited premium parking at American Dream and accessible parking in the stadium's J Lot are available by pre-purchase only.

How should I plan my day around a World Cup match in New York?

Since Central Park sits between many Manhattan hotels and transit options, it's an easy place to spend time before kickoff or after returning from the match. Visitors can add a walk, bike ride, picnic, or sightseeing without going far out of the way.

This guide is part of our complete Central Park World Cup guide, with everything to see, do, and book during the World Cup.