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World Cup transport fares cut after fan backlash

BBC Sport Football •
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New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill, who earlier rebuked FIFA for refusing transport subsidies, announced a price cut for the 30‑minute NJ Transit train to MetLife Stadium. Tickets will now sell for $98, a reduction made possible by commercial sponsors rather than state funds. Sherrill praised the partnership, emphasizing that New Jersey taxpayers will not foot the bill.

New York governor Kathy Hochul echoed the call for affordable access, slashing round‑trip bus fares by 75% and reserving 20% of tickets for city residents as a thank‑you for hosting duties. Meanwhile, fans heading to Foxborough face a steep jump: a Boston‑to‑Foxborough round‑trip that normally costs $20 will rise to $80 for World Cup matches.

The price disparity hits supporters of England and Scotland, whose group games are scheduled at MetLife and Foxborough in June. Kansas City will still offer $15 return bus tickets and Philadelphia keeps its $2.90 fare, but the New York‑New Jersey hikes could deter travelling fans and add pressure on organizers to justify the cost structure.

With ticket prices soaring elsewhere, the backlash underscores growing fan sensitivity to travel costs at a tournament traditionally marketed as accessible. Organisers must balance revenue goals against the expectations of a global audience.