What You Need to Know
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has criticized Fifa for the steep increase in train fares for fans attending the World Cup. Tickets for the journey from New York to MetLife Stadium could exceed $100, a significant rise from the usual fare. Sherrill argues that Fifa should subsidize these costs, as taxpayers should not bear the burden.
Africa-Press – Eritrea. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill says Fifa is to blame for fans having to pay more for transport at the World Cup this summer – and that world football’s governing body should subsidise it.
The Athletic reported, external earlier this week that NY Transit is intending to bring in special event pricing for the 30-minute journey from Penn Station in New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
A train ticket to the games at the stadium could cost more than $100 (£73.80) – a seven-fold increase on the usual $12.90 (£9.50) for a return fare.
No concession prices are planned, so children and seniors must also pay the full fare.
MetLife Stadium – which will be named New York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup as part of Fifa’s policy on corporate sponsored names – will host eight matches, including an England group game, and the final on 19 July.
It comes after train fares for matches at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston, were vastly increased to $80 (£59), with coach tickets costing $95 (£70).
Sherrill insisted that taxpayers and commuters would not be left to cover the cost of transporting World Cup supporters to stadiums, with Fifa sitting on huge sums from high ticket prices for the matches.
The World Cup is one of the most prestigious sporting events globally, often leading to increased economic activity in host cities. However, it also brings challenges, such as inflated costs for transportation and accommodation. In this case, the New Jersey Governor’s concerns highlight the financial strain on fans and the responsibility of Fifa to ensure accessibility for all attendees, especially given their substantial revenue from ticket sales and sponsorships. The debate over transport costs reflects broader issues of affordability and equity in hosting major international events.
