2026 FIFA World Cup in New York/New Jersey: How to Get Tickets for the Sold-Out Matches
If you missed your chance to buy tickets for the World Cup's New York/New Jersey matches, fret not — there are still a few ways to get in before the tournament's biggest moments unfold at MetLife Stadium
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is bringing eight matches to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — including the tournament Final on July 19th. This is the most loaded schedule of any venue in the entire tournament. You've got group-stage fixtures featuring Brazil, France, England, and Germany, plus knockout rounds straight through to the championship match. The official sales moved fast. Really fast. Secondary market prices, especially for the Final and the marquee group-stage games, are already well into four figures. But if you're flexible on which match you attend and willing to monitor resale platforms as the tournament approaches, legitimate options still exist.
The New York/New Jersey metro is the single most important venue in the 2026 World Cup. Demand reflects that. But inventory does move on the secondary market, and prices shift as the event approaches. Here's everything you need to know about getting tickets to MetLife.
The New York/New Jersey Matches
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey will host eight World Cup matches across five weeks, from group-stage action to the Final. Here's the full lineup:
Group Stage
Saturday, June 13th — Brazil vs. Morocco (Group C), 6:00 PM ET
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Tuesday, June 16th — France vs. Senegal (Group I), 3:00 PM ET
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Monday, June 22nd — Norway vs. Senegal (Group I), 8:00 PM ET
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Thursday, June 25th — Ecuador vs. Germany (Group E), 4:00 PM ET
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Saturday, June 27th — Panama vs. England (Group L), 5:00 PM ET
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Knockout Stage
Tuesday, June 30th — Round of 32, 5:00 PM ET
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Sunday, July 5th — Round of 16, 4:00 PM ET
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Sunday, July 19th — FINAL, 3:00 PM ET
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MetLife Stadium sits in the Meadowlands Sports Complex, accessible via NJ Transit from Penn Station — the Meadowlands Rail Line runs express service on event days. You can also drive via the New Jersey Turnpike. Rideshare pickup and drop-off areas are designated along the stadium's perimeter, but expect significant surge pricing before and after matches, especially for the Final. Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. FIFA events involve enhanced security screening and bag restrictions that slow entry considerably.
Where Can You Still Get Tickets?
StubHub — StubHub has active listings for all eight MetLife matches. Inventory updates regularly, with the most availability on group-stage dates (especially midweek fixtures) and the tightest supply on the Final. All purchases are backed by StubHub's FanProtect guarantee, which covers purchases at 120% of the ticket price if the seller fails to deliver valid tickets. One important note: FIFA's Terms of Use technically restrict resale on third-party platforms, but StubHub has historically fulfilled World Cup orders and their guarantee still applies. Delivery happens through the FIFA World Cup 2026 App, not the StubHub app — confirm transfer details with the seller.
Ticketmaster Verified Resale — Ticketmaster's resale marketplace has authenticated World Cup inventory. All tickets are verified before sale, and the platform's buyer guarantee applies. Inventory refreshes frequently, especially as the tournament approaches and holders who can no longer attend list their seats.
Fans can also look for tickets via SeatGeek, where you can use promo code SEATGEEK10 to save $10 off your first order of over $150.
FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace — This is the only resale platform officially sanctioned by FIFA. Accessible through FIFA.com/tickets, it allows ticket holders to resell at any price they choose (with the exception of Mexico matches, which have face-value caps). If you want zero risk of a transfer issue, this is the safest route — tickets move directly within FIFA's system with no third-party handoff.
reddit / fan communities — Subreddits like r/worldcup and r/FIFA have active ticket exchange threads. These can occasionally surface face-value or below-market offers from fans whose plans changed. Exercise significant caution — there is no formal buyer protection for peer-to-peer transactions. The World Cup attracts a disproportionate volume of scams compared to typical sporting events.
What Are Tickets Going For?
The New York/New Jersey market is the most expensive in the entire tournament. MetLife hosts the Final, two knockout-round matches, and five group-stage games featuring global powerhouses. Secondary-market pricing here sits well above most other host cities.
Upper-level seats (group stage): $500–$1,200 per ticket, depending on the matchup. Brazil vs. Morocco on June 13th and Panama vs. England on June 27th command premiums over the midweek fixtures. Norway vs. Senegal on June 22nd tends to be the most affordable group-stage option at MetLife.
Mid-level seats (group stage): $1,200–$2,500 per ticket. France vs. Senegal and Ecuador vs. Germany fall in this range for good sightlines.
Lower bowl / premium (group stage): $2,500–$5,000+ per ticket for close-to-pitch seating on marquee matchups.
Knockout rounds (Round of 32 and Round of 16): $800–$4,000+ per ticket, with pricing heavily dependent on which teams advance.
The Final (July 19th): $5,000–$15,000+ per ticket. Category 1 seats near midfield have been listed as high as $35,000 on some platforms. This is the single most in-demand ticket of the entire tournament, and pricing reflects it. If you're targeting the Final, be prepared for sticker shock.
Service fees on StubHub and Ticketmaster typically add 20–40% to listed prices. Factor that in before committing — a $2,000 listing can easily become $2,600 after fees.
Should You Consider a Nearby City Instead?
If MetLife pricing is beyond your budget, Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field sits roughly 80 miles southwest (under two hours outside of peak traffic) and hosts five matches including Brazil vs. Haiti (June 19th), France vs. Iraq (June 22nd), plus a Round of 16 match on July 4th. Secondary-market prices in Philadelphia typically run 15–25% below comparable matchups in East Rutherford, and you still get access to elite-level teams. Boston's Gillette Stadium lies about 215 miles north and hosts seven matches including a Quarterfinal on July 9th, though the distance makes it a less practical day-trip. If you're willing to make the drive, Philadelphia offers better value without sacrificing the quality of the matches.
Strategic Tips for Buying
- Check StubHub and Ticketmaster Verified Resale multiple times each day — Inventory shifts constantly, especially in the final days before each match. New listings often appear in the morning and late evening as sellers adjust pricing.
- Compare prices across all eight MetLife match dates before committing — Midweek fixtures (Tuesday, June 16th and Monday, June 22nd) are typically cheaper than weekend dates. If you're flexible on which match you attend, a Tuesday afternoon Group I match may cost half of what a Saturday evening Group C opener demands.
- Set up price alerts on StubHub for specific MetLife events — The platform will notify you when prices drop below a threshold you set. This is especially useful for the knockout rounds, where pricing can shift dramatically once the bracket is determined.
- Move quickly when you find a price that fits your budget — Over-shopping in search of a slightly better deal results in losing a good listing entirely. World Cup tickets at this venue are not going to get meaningfully cheaper as the tournament approaches.
- Stick to platforms with formal buyer-guarantee programs. StubHub's FanProtect and Ticketmaster Verified Resale both authenticate inventory. FIFA's own Resale/Exchange Marketplace is the safest option of all since it handles transfers within FIFA's ticketing system directly. If exploring peer-to-peer trades on reddit's r/worldcup or r/FIFA, only deal with accounts that have an established community history. Never pay through Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle. Treat any listing priced dramatically below market rate as a red flag. World Cup scams are rampant — if a deal seems too good to be true, it is.
About the Tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, expanded from the 32-team format that's been standard since 1998. The tournament runs from June 11th through July 19th across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the first tri-nation World Cup in the competition's history. MetLife Stadium's role as the Final venue places it at the center of what is expected to be the most-attended and most-watched World Cup ever staged.
