MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey hosts the FIFA World Cup 2026 MetLife Stadium Final on July 19. It is the most important venue of the entire tournament. Here is a complete guide to the stadium, how to get there and what to expect.
THE STADIUM
Full name: MetLife Stadium
Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
Capacity: 82,500 (World Cup configuration)
Opened: 2010
NFL Tenants: New York Giants and New York Jets
MetLife Stadium is a modern, multipurpose facility built specifically to host major events. It hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. It regularly hosts concerts, international soccer matches and other large-scale events. The infrastructure is proven at the highest level.
The stadium is an open-air venue. There is no roof. July weather in New Jersey averages around 83 degrees Fahrenheit. If there are storms on July 19, the match plays regardless. FIFA does not postpone or reschedule World Cup matches for weather except in cases of lightning where play is temporarily suspended.
LOCATION AND ACCESS
MetLife Stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, approximately 8 miles west of Midtown Manhattan. It sits in the Meadowlands complex alongside an arena, racetrack and other facilities.
By Train: NJ Transit runs trains directly to Meadowlands Station adjacent to the stadium. From New York Penn Station, take the Meadowlands Rail Line on event days. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes.
By Car: Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Route 3 East toward the Meadowlands. Parking is available at the stadium complex. Expect significant congestion on Final day. Allow 2 to 3 extra hours.
By Bus: NJ Transit bus routes also serve the Meadowlands from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.
GETTING TICKETS TO THE FINAL
Final tickets are the most in-demand in the entire tournament. FIFA sold early rounds through their official website at FIFA.com. By the time the tournament begins, most official allocation is sold. Resale markets including StubHub will have tickets available but at prices that reflect the demand. Expect face value of $500 to $2,000 for standard seats and significantly higher on the secondary market.
THE HALFTIME SHOW
The Final on July 19 will be the first World Cup Final with a live halftime show. Global Citizen is producing. Chris Martin of Coldplay is the creative partner. The halftime show takes place on the MetLife Stadium field during the standard 15-minute break between halves.
For fans at the stadium, this is a moment unlike any previous World Cup experience. The combination of the world's biggest sporting event and a live music performance in a stadium of 82,500 fans is genuinely unprecedented.
THE TROPHY CEREMONY
After the final whistle, the trophy ceremony takes place on the MetLife Stadium pitch. The winning team's players receive their medals. The FIFA President presents the World Cup trophy to the winning captain. The team celebrates on the pitch in front of 82,500 fans and a global television audience estimated at over one billion.
TIMES SQUARE FAN VIEWING
For fans without Final tickets, Times Square in Manhattan hosts large outdoor screens with the live broadcast. The 8-mile distance between Times Square and MetLife Stadium means fans can choose between the stadium experience and the New York City outdoor experience.