World Cup Match Days to Impact Rail Service for Hudson Commuters

Hudson rail customers traveling to and from New York City should prepare for service changes on several dates this summer as FIFA World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium are expected to significantly increase passenger traffic.

According to transportation officials, NJ TRANSIT will temporarily limit access to trains operating between Penn Station New York and Secaucus Junction during World Cup match days. During certain hours, service will be reserved primarily for passengers traveling to and from MetLife Stadium.

As a result, customers on the Main-Bergen, Pascack Valley, and Port Jervis lines who would normally transfer at Secaucus Junction for service into Manhattan will instead be routed directly to Hoboken Terminal. Travelers can then use PATH train service from Hoboken to continue into New York City.

To help accommodate affected passengers, MTA Metro-North Railroad announced it will honor NJ TRANSIT tickets on designated World Cup match days. Riders holding valid NJ TRANSIT tickets from Port Jervis Line and Pascack Valley Line stations may use Metro-North's Hudson and Harlem lines when cross-honoring is in effect.

The ticket cross-honoring program will be available on the following World Cup match dates at MetLife Stadium:

• June 13, 2026

• June 16, 2026

• June 22, 2026

• June 25, 2026

• June 27, 2026

• June 30, 2026

• July 5, 2026

• July 19, 2026 (Final)

Officials also noted that free Hudson Link bus service will be available for customers seeking connections to Metro-North stations at Tarrytown and White Plains.

For commuters choosing to drive, parking will be available at Metro-North stations east of the Hudson River, though availability may vary and parking fees may apply. In addition, customers with West of Hudson parking permits for participating LAZ-managed lots will be able to use select LAZ-managed parking facilities at Cortlandt, Beacon, New Hamburg, Poughkeepsie, and North White Plains during the affected dates.

Passengers are encouraged to review updated schedules and plan ahead, as travel times may be longer than usual during World Cup events.