MetLife Stadium

New York / New Jersey, USA Capacity: 82,500

Host of the 2026 World Cup Final on July 19. The biggest stage in the tournament: an open-air bowl in East Rutherford, eight miles from Midtown Manhattan, with the New York skyline framing the upper concourse on a clear evening. Shared home of the Giants and Jets, it opened in 2010 on the site of the old Giants Stadium. The Meadowlands rail line runs event-only service straight from Secaucus Junction, the practical move for anyone staying in the city. Final-day NJ Transit will be the busiest passenger day in the line's history.

Getting There

Meadowlands Rail (event service from Secaucus Junction)

Parking

30,000+ spots, $40-60 per game

Bag Policy

Clear bags only, 12"x6"x12" max

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What the official site won't say

Bag policy (what gets denied vs what the rules say)

Published bag policies and what actually clears the gate are not the same document. The published WC2026 rule allows clear bags up to roughly 30cm x 23cm x 15cm, plus a small clutch. In practice, individual venue security at the larger stadiums (I watched it at Lusail in 2022 and at MetLife on a non-WC event in 2024) rejects anything opaque, anything with a metal frame, and any "clear" bag with internal pockets dense enough that the screener can't see through. Drawstring bags get waved through more often than backpack-shape clear bags of the same volume. Bring nothing you can't fit in a pocket or a single transparent zip pouch, and assume a 10 to 15 percent chance the line in front of you loses something the rulebook said was fine.

Editor's note from Sam Halloway. Not affiliated with FIFA. More about this guide .

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Matches at MetLife Stadium

Round of 32

France

Sweden

Jul 1 · 21:00 UTCMetLife StadiumNew York / New Jersey

Round of 16

Brazil

Norway

Jul 5 · 20:00 UTCMetLife StadiumNew York / New Jersey

🏆 Final

Match 101 winner

Match 102 winner

Jul 19 · 19:00 UTCMetLife StadiumNew York / New Jersey

Group Stage · 4 completed

Group Stage - Matchday 1Group C

Brazil

Morocco

Jun 14 · 22:00 UTCMetLife StadiumNew York / New Jersey

Group Stage - Matchday 1Group I

France

Senegal

Jun 16 · 19:00 UTCMetLife StadiumNew York / New Jersey

Group Stage - Matchday 3Group E

Ecuador

Germany

Jun 25 · 20:00 UTCMetLife StadiumNew York / New Jersey

Group Stage - Matchday 3Group L

Panama

England

Jun 28 · 21:00 UTCMetLife StadiumNew York / New Jersey

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to MetLife Stadium on match day?

The best way to reach MetLife Stadium is via Meadowlands Rail (event service from Secaucus Junction). Plan to arrive at least 2 hours before kickoff for security screening.

What can I bring to MetLife Stadium?

Clear bags only, 12"x6"x12" max. No outside food or drinks. Sealed water bottles may be permitted, check the latest FIFA guidelines.

How early should I arrive at MetLife Stadium?

Gates typically open 2-3 hours before kickoff for World Cup matches. Arrive early to enjoy the fan zone activities outside the stadium.

Is there parking at MetLife Stadium?

30,000+ spots, $40-60 per game. Public transit is strongly recommended for World Cup matches due to heavy traffic.

Where should I stay near MetLife Stadium?

Look for hotels in New York / New Jersey near the transit lines that serve the stadium. Book early, World Cup accommodation fills up months in advance.

🧳 Got luggage between checkout and kickoff?

MetLife Stadium's bag policy is "Clear bags only, 12"x6"x12" max", so even a small backpack will be denied at the gate. Radical Storage's network of café, shop, and hotel-desk partners in New York / New Jersey hold bags for about $6/day. No commitment, book on your phone on the way over.

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Common questions about MetLife Stadium

What is the bag policy at MetLife Stadium?

Clear bags only, 12"x6"x12" max. Anything larger requires gate-check (around $20-30 per bag) or denies entry. Pack a stadium-approved clear bag from home before you fly.

How do I get to MetLife Stadium on match day?

Nearest transit: Meadowlands Rail (event service from Secaucus Junction). Parking: 30,000+ spots, $40-60 per game. Public transit is usually the practical mode on match day given the surge in rideshare and parking prices around kickoff.

What is the capacity of MetLife Stadium for World Cup 2026?

Standard capacity is 82,500. FIFA's tournament configuration sometimes reduces this slightly to accommodate camera positions, accessibility seating, and security buffers.

How many World Cup 2026 matches does MetLife Stadium host?

7 matches, from 2026-06-13 through 2026-07-19.

When was MetLife Stadium built?

Opened in 2010. Renovations and capacity adjustments may have happened since then; see the official venue site for current specifications.

What city is MetLife Stadium in?

MetLife Stadium is located in New York / New Jersey, USA. The stadium itself has substantial on-site parking, though transit is still typically faster on match day.

When should I arrive for a match at MetLife Stadium?

Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. FIFA security screening is slower than NFL or MLB equivalents because of bag-policy enforcement and the international visitor profile. Stadium gates typically open 2 hours before kickoff.

Where should I stay for matches at MetLife Stadium?

New York / New Jersey has the deepest hotel inventory; downtown rates spike sharply during match weeks. Most fans get the best value staying 20-40 minutes outside the immediate stadium area, with rail or rideshare for the match-day commute.

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Hotels in New York / New Jersey

Compare rooms across our partner network. Rates spike close to kickoff.

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Flights to New York / New Jersey

Aviasales scans 700+ airlines. Tournament window has limited award space.

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eSIM for arrival

No roaming fees in USA. Saily plans run $4 to $25 for tournament-window data.

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Travel insurance

Match cancellation, missed connections, medical. SafetyWing tournament-window cover.

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Airport transfers to MetLife Stadium

Book a fixed-price private transfer from the airport straight to the stadium or your hotel.

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