🇺🇸Final Venue

New York / New Jersey

USA

82,500

Stadium Capacity

EWR

Main Airport

80°F

June Avg High

Match Types Hosted

MetLife Stadium

Capacity

82,500

Surface

Artificial Turf

Opened

2010

Also Home To

NNew York Giants & New York Jets

Address: One MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

Match Types Hosted

Group StageRound of 32Round of 16Quarter-FinalSemi-FinalFinal

Getting There

Main Airport

EWR

Newark Liberty International Airport

8 miles (15 min) to stadium

Public Transit

MetroLight RailRideshare

Transit Tips

NJ Transit trains run from Penn Station to Secaucus Junction, then shuttle buses to stadium. Allow 60-90 minutes from Manhattan.

Weather & What to Pack

80°F

June High

63°F

June Low

85°F

July High

68°F

July Low

Warm and humid summers with occasional thunderstorms. Pack light, breathable clothing and bring an umbrella.

Where to Stay

Hoboken

$$$

Walkable waterfront town with NYC skyline views and great nightlife

Jersey City

Urban hub with diverse dining and easy PATH access to Manhattan

Secaucus

Closest to stadium, outlet shopping, budget-friendly hotels

Times Square

$$$$

Iconic NYC location, tourist central, highest prices

Local Soccer Culture

MLS Team

New York Red Bulls

NWSL Team

NJ/NY Gotham FC

Supporter Groups

Viking ArmyGarden State UltrasEmpire Supporters Club

Insider Tips

1
Skip the overpriced stadium food - eat in Hoboken before crossing to NJ. Washington Street has 50+ restaurants in 10 blocks.
2
The train from Penn Station gets PACKED after matches. Walk to 34th St Herald Square for more space, or grab a drink and wait 45 min.
3
Newark Airport (EWR) is actually closer than JFK or LaGuardia. Don't let the name fool you.
4
For the Final, book accommodation 6+ months early. Secaucus hotels will sell out within hours of ticket release.
5
The stadium is technically in New Jersey - don't make the mistake of booking a hotel in Brooklyn thinking it's "close."
6
Mexican fans: Sunset Park in Brooklyn has the best Mexican food in the NYC area. 5th Ave between 40th-60th St.

Bars & Restaurants

Legends

Sports Bar • Midtown Manhattan

$$$

90+ TVs, massive screens, game day atmosphere

Insider Tip: Reserve a table for big matches - walk-ins wait 2+ hours on World Cup days

The Football Factory at Legends

Sports Bar • Midtown

$$$

Dedicated soccer bar within Legends

Insider Tip: Opens at 7am for early kickoffs. The Supporters Section has standing room.

Smithfield Hall

Pub • Flatiron

Liverpool supporters bar, massive projection screen

Insider Tip: Arrive 90 min early for Premier League matches - even earlier for World Cup

Banter

Pub • Williamsburg

Brooklyn's best soccer bar, local supporter HQ

Insider Tip: Outdoor patio opens for summer - best atmosphere in Brooklyn

Carragher's

Pub • Times Square

$$$

Named after Liverpool legend, premier matchday spot

Insider Tip: Jamie Carragher actually shows up sometimes during big matches

Nevada Smiths

Sports Bar • East Village

Open since 1989, NYC's original soccer bar

Insider Tip: The basement gets wild during knockouts. Claustrophobic but unforgettable.

Katz's Delicatessen

Restaurant • Lower East Side

Legendary pastrami since 1888

Insider Tip: Cash only at the counter. "I'll have what she's having" scene from When Harry Met Sally filmed here.

Joe's Pizza

Restaurant • Greenwich Village

NYC slice institution since 1975

Insider Tip: Skip the line at Carmine St, go to the Williamsburg location. Same pizza, no wait.

Mamoun's Falafel

Restaurant • Greenwich Village

Best 3am post-match food in the city

Insider Tip: Open until 5am on weekends. The lamb shawarma is the move.

Pre-Game Spots

American Dream Mall

1 mile

Massive entertainment complex with bars and restaurants near stadium. Gets crowded but great for families.

Hoboken Waterfront

8 miles (but worth it)

Bars along the Hudson with NYC skyline views. Take the PATH to Hoboken, enjoy the scene, then train to game.

Secaucus Junction parking lots

5 miles

Tailgating starts 4+ hours before kickoff. BYOB and grill.

Must-Try Local Food

NYC Pizza Slice

Thin crust, foldable, perfect walking food. No fork needed.

Where to get it: Joe's Pizza, Di Fara (Brooklyn), Lucali (Brooklyn for sit-down)

Pastrami on Rye

Hand-sliced, piled high with mustard. A NYC institution.

Where to get it: Katz's Delicatessen, Pastrami Queen, 2nd Ave Deli

Bacon Egg and Cheese

Bodega breakfast sandwich on a roll. Order "BEC on a roll, salt pepper ketchup."

Where to get it: Any bodega - the grungier looking, the better

Halal Cart

Chicken and rice with white and red sauce. Late night essential.

Where to get it: The Halal Guys (53rd & 6th is original), or any cart with a long line

Chopped Cheese

Harlem's answer to the Philly cheesesteak. Ground beef, cheese, onions on a hero.

Where to get it: Hajji's (Harlem) or Blue Sky Deli (Harlem)

Fan FAQs

Is the stadium really in New York?

No, it's in East Rutherford, New Jersey. About 8 miles from Manhattan. Don't book accommodation based on "New York" in the name.

What's the best way to get to MetLife Stadium?

NJ Transit from Penn Station to Secaucus Junction, then shuttle buses. Takes 45-60 min. Book train tickets in advance on the NJ Transit app. Uber/Lyft surge pricing will be insane post-match.

Can I tailgate?

Yes! Parking lots open 4 hours before kickoff. BYOB allowed. Grills permitted. It's a proper American tailgate scene.

Where should fans without tickets watch?

Times Square will have massive screens. Hudson Yards has outdoor viewing. Legends and Football Factory in Midtown. Many bars in Hoboken will show matches.

Is New York safe?

Yes. NYC is statistically one of the safest big cities in America. Normal big-city awareness applies - don't flash expensive stuff, stay aware at night. The subway is safe, just avoid empty cars late at night.

Budget Tips

Stay in Jersey City or Hoboken - 50% cheaper than Manhattan, PATH train gets you anywhere in 15-20 min
Get an unlimited MetroCard for the week ($34) - pays for itself in 2-3 days
Skip taxis to the airport - AirTrain + subway to JFK costs $8.25, NJ Transit to Newark is $15
Dollar pizza slices are everywhere - look for 99¢ signs. They're actually good.
Happy hour in NYC is real - most bars have half-price drinks 4-7pm weekdays
The Staten Island Ferry is FREE and gives you Statue of Liberty views without paying for the tour

Hidden Gems

The Cloisters - medieval art museum in Fort Tryon Park. Nobody goes here but it's incredible.
Domino Park in Williamsburg - best Manhattan skyline views, less crowded than Brooklyn Bridge Park
Roosevelt Island Tram ($2.90) - aerial views of the city, runs every 7 minutes
The Elevated Acre - hidden rooftop park in the Financial District with stunning views
Arthur Avenue in the Bronx - better Italian food than Little Italy, locals only

Local Lingo

“Bodega”

Corner store/convenience store. Pronounced boh-DAY-gah.

“The City”

Manhattan. Even if you're in Brooklyn, "going to the city" means Manhattan.

“Bridge and tunnel”

People who commute into Manhattan. Can be slightly derogatory.

“Schlep”

A tedious journey. "It's a schlep to get to MetLife."

“Standing on line”

New Yorkers stand ON line, not IN line.

Local Voices

Insider tips from the fans who know New York / New Jersey best

Fadl "PharaohTalks"

@pharaohtalks

Instagram35K followers

Street Interview Creator

“The World Cup final at MetLife will be the biggest thing to hit this city since... ever. Book your Hoboken hotel NOW - Manhattan prices will be insane and Hoboken is actually closer to the stadium.”

Young FanMatch Day Vibes

Eli Thompson

@thisweek_inmls

Instagram85K followers

MLS Content Creator

“People sleep on Red Bull Arena for watch parties. It's way easier to get to than MetLife, the atmosphere is electric, and the beer is cheaper. If you can't get Final tickets, that's where I'll be.”

ProfessionalTravel

Maria Santos

@mariafutbolnyc

TikTok12K followers

Latina Soccer Mom & Creator

“Sunset Park in Brooklyn is THE spot for Mexican fans. 5th Avenue between 40th and 60th has the best Mexican food in the city and every TV will be showing the games. It's like being in CDMX.”

Women in SoccerLatino/aFamily

James O'Brien

@empire_sc_james

Twitter8K followers

Empire Supporters Club Leader

“The tailgate lots at MetLife are the real pre-game show. Get there 4 hours early, bring a grill, and you'll make friends from every country. It's the most American World Cup experience you can have.”

OG SupporterMatch Day Vibes