Commuters on the Morris & Essex and Montclair-Boonton lines should prepare for train diversions, station changes, and travel delays during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The first match at MetLife Stadium is June 13, and state transportation officials are warning riders to plan ahead for eight peak-impact dates.
MORRISTOWN, NJ – NJ Transit, the New Jersey Department of Transportation and New Jersey State Police are warning commuters and World Cup visitors to plan ahead for service changes and heavier travel demand tied to eight FIFA World Cup matches at New York/New Jersey Stadium, known locally as MetLife Stadium.
The first match at at New York/New Jersey Stadium is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. State officials said the eight match days are expected to generate higher demand across the transportation network, including four weekday match days.
The peak-impact dates listed by NJ Transit are:
- Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 3 p.m.
- Monday, June 22, 2026, at 8 p.m.
- Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 4 p.m.
- Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 5 p.m.
- Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 4 p.m.
- Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 3 p.m.
NJ Transit said select trains will be diverted or adjusted during peak pre-match and post-match travel windows to support stadium service through Secaucus Junction.
Beginning four hours before kickoff, NJ Transit said there will be no outbound rail service from Penn Station New York for commuter travel. Regular commuters who are not attending a match may use eligible rail tickets or passes with New York as an origin or destination for alternate travel at no additional cost through PATH from 33rd Street Station or NJ Transit bus service from Port Authority Bus Terminal.
After each World Cup match, eastbound trains traveling to Penn Station New York will terminate at either Newark Penn Station or Newark Broad Street Station for about three hours.
That change directly affects Morris County-area riders on the Morris & Essex Lines and Montclair-Boonton Line. NJ Transit said riders arriving at Newark Broad Street may wait for a Hoboken-bound train to Hoboken Terminal, where their ticket will be accepted on PATH or NJ Transit’s 126 bus service to New York. Riders may also use trains that travel directly to Hoboken Terminal, or use Newark Light Rail from Newark Broad Street to Newark Penn Station to connect to PATH.
State officials are encouraging residents to download the Public Safety by Everbridge app, create an account and subscribe to WORLDCUPNJ for official tournament information, transportation updates, public safety notifications and operational alerts.
NJ Transit also said riders should report suspicious activity by texting NJTPD at 65873 or calling 1-888-TIPS-NJT. Crimes in progress should be reported to 911 or the New Jersey Transit Police Communications Center.