Greg Kahn, a Montclair resident and founder of GK Digital Ventures, has been living inside Jersey’s World Cup bubble for the past 18 months. “This is not only the largest World Cup ever,” he told the Montclair Pod. “It’s the largest sporting event ever, and it’s the largest cultural event in the world ever. We’re talking about six billion people projected to watch some factor of the World Cup via linear or digital means.”
Sports is a unifying force, whether it’s an Olympics or a World Cup or some sort of affair. There are so many kids that can be inspired by this, to see their players. There are a lot of folks that need that right now — that need some joy, that need something to root for. And I encourage you to do that during this World Cup.”
For Kahn’s full insider breakdown, read our interview overview and listen to the episode online.
Keep reading to see when the World Cup will be playing in Jersey and how to catch a game.
The Games: Full Schedule at MetLife Stadium
8 matches · June 13 – July 19
MetLife Stadium — officially renamed “New York New Jersey Stadium” — will host eight matches, the most of any American venue. “We’ve got England playing here, we’ve got France playing here, we’ve got Germany playing here. We have Norway playing here. We’re gonna have some incredible matches.” — Greg Kahn
Full schedule: FIFA World Cup 2026 official site
Group stage
- (Past game) Sat, June 13 — Brazil vs. Morocco — 6:00 p.m. ET. The regional opener. Both teams training in NJ. Brazil, five-time world champions. Morocco, semifinalists in 2022.
- (Past game) Tue, June 16 — France vs. Senegal — 3:00 p.m. ET. France, the reigning runner-up. Senegal’s base camp is at Rutgers.
- Mon, June 22 — Norway vs. Senegal — 8:00 p.m. ET. Erling Haaland’s Norway in a night game.
- Thu, June 25 — Ecuador vs. Germany — 4:00 p.m. ET.
- Sat, June 27 — Panama vs. England — 5:00 p.m. ET. England fans travel in massive numbers. Expect something close to a home game for the Three Lions.
Knockout rounds
- Tue, June 30 — Round of 32 — 5:00 p.m. ET
- Sun, July 5 — Round of 16 — 4:00 p.m. ET
- Sun, July 19 — THE WORLD CUP FINAL — 3:00 p.m. ET. First-ever World Cup Final halftime show: Shakira, Madonna, and BTS, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. An estimated four billion viewers worldwide. Happening 12 miles from Montclair.
How to watch on TV: English: FOX and FS1 — stream via FOX Sports. Spanish: Telemundo and Universo — stream via Peacock.
Tickets: What They Cost and Where to Find Them
Group stage · Final · resale
Official tickets: FIFA.com/tickets
Resale: StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster Resale
As of early June, resale prices for group-stage matches at MetLife are down roughly 24% from their April highs — average cheapest available seats around $560. Lower-bowl seats remain above $1,000 for most matches. The Final is a different universe: cheapest listed at approximately $9,775; one category-three seat was listed at $143,750.
“The ticket prices were oversold, the thought that anyone would fly anywhere to just see an early round match when a lot of them are not necessarily top matchups. You’re gonna see folks, once the knockout rounds start to be settled, start to come over and start to make their arrangements.” — Greg Kahn
“For Montclair homeowners thinking about renting short-term: Look to see who’s playing here in the Round of 32 and the Round of 16, and of course around the Final. There’s gonna be tremendous opportunity, but it requires being nimble.” — Greg Kahn
Getting There: Transportation, Parking & What You Need to Know
No parking · 4 options
This is not a normal NFL game day. No tailgating, no personal parking, a transit-first mandate. Official mobility plan
No parking, no tailgating. The lots where Jets and Giants fans tailgate are not available. FIFA and the NYNJ Host Committee have converted them to shuttle staging areas, fan villages, and FIFA staff facilities.
“I will not be timing going into the city during match days, that’s for sure. It’s going to be a challenge. I’m not going to candy coat this at all.” — Greg Kahn
Option 1 (Recommended) — NJ Transit train — $98 round trip. Drive or rideshare to Secaucus Junction, then the Meadowlands rail line to Sports Complex Station, steps from MetLife. Only 40,000 tickets per match, sold in advance via the NJ Transit app only — not at station windows on match day. Your $98 ticket covers unlimited NJ Transit system travel all day (your Montclair-to-Secaucus ride is included). Physical wristband required for return trip. Valid FIFA match ticket required to purchase. Price reduced from $150 through sponsorships.
Option 2 — Official shuttle bus — $20 round trip. From Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Terminal, and Columbus Circle in NYC. About 18,000 tickets per match via the NJ Transit app. NYC DOT has converted 42nd Street and two lanes of Sixth Avenue to dedicated World Cup transit corridors on match days.
Option 3 — Rideshare. Drop-off and pick-up at Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment, roughly a mile walk from the entrance. Surge pricing will be significant.
Option 4 — Drive and park at American Dream — $225. The only parking near the stadium. Pre-purchase required, FIFA ticketholders only. Reserve via JustPark. Most spaces for popular matches are likely already sold out.
All MetLife match days are official NYC Gridlock Alert Days. Routes 3, 17, the NJ Turnpike near the complex, and Lincoln Tunnel approaches will be heavily congested. Don’t lose the physical wristband distributed at the stadium gates — it’s required to board the return train.
Check here for more World Cup New Jersey resources.
Related:
- No Refs, No Problem: Montclair is All In On Ultimate Frisbee
- 5 Questions About the World Cup in New Jersey that You’re too Embarrassed to Ask Out Loud
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This article originally appeared on Montclairpod.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.co
