MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is hosting eight FIFA World Cup matches this summer — including the tournament Final on July 19. Brazil, France, England, Germany, Morocco, Norway, Senegal, Ecuador, and Panama are all coming to what FIFA is calling “New York New Jersey Stadium.” It is the most loaded schedule of any venue in the entire tournament.
And here is the part that changes everything about how you plan your trip: there will be no general parking at the stadium. None.
No Parking at MetLife — This Is Not Like a Giants Game
For every one of the eight World Cup matches at MetLife, the massive parking lots that normally handle tens of thousands of vehicles will be closed to general traffic. No on-site parking, no tailgating. This is a complete departure from how events normally work at the Meadowlands. FIFA’s security and logistics model requires a fully transit-first operation, with trains, buses, and rideshares carrying all 82,500 fans per match.
The only parking option for the general public is a limited number of premium spots at the nearby American Dream mall — available exclusively for FIFA ticket holders at $225 per spot. For the Final on July 19, those spots are already sold out. For groups of 20, 30, or 50 people, asking everyone to figure out their own parking and transportation is a recipe for a scattered, stressful experience before the match even starts.
The MetLife World Cup Schedule
- Saturday, June 13 — Brazil vs. Morocco, 6:00 PM
- Tuesday, June 16 — France vs. Senegal, 3:00 PM
- Monday, June 22 — Norway vs. Senegal, 8:00 PM
- Thursday, June 25 — Ecuador vs. Germany, 4:00 PM
- Saturday, June 27 — Panama vs. England, 5:00 PM
- Tuesday, June 30 — Round of 32 (TBD), 5:00 PM
- Sunday, July 5 — Round of 16 (TBD), 4:00 PM
- Sunday, July 19 — FINAL, 3:00 PM
NJ Transit Will Be Stretched Thin
NJ Transit is building a new bus terminal at the stadium and planning to run buses every 30 seconds for several hours before and after each match. Trains will funnel through Secaucus Junction to the Meadowlands Rail Line. But transit officials have acknowledged the scale of the challenge openly — three of eight matches fall on weekdays, which means World Cup crowds overlap with regular commuters. Transit leaders are already telling commuters to work from home on match days. For groups coming from Westchester, the transit route involves a train to Grand Central or Penn Station, then a transfer to NJ Transit — multiple connections, multiple platforms, and a real risk of your group getting split up along the way.
Charter Bus Is the Westchester Answer
For organized groups from Westchester County — Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Tarrytown — a charter bus from Royal Coach Lines is the smartest, most reliable way to experience the World Cup at MetLife. Your group boards at one location. One professional driver handles the entire route. No one has to navigate public transit transfers, hunt for a $225 parking spot, or deal with post-match rideshare surge pricing when 82,500 people are all trying to leave at once.
Royal Coach Lines has been serving the Westchester County and tri-state community since 1950. We are the largest school transportation contractor in Westchester County, and our charter services extend that same commitment to reliability and safety to corporate outings, community events, and special occasions. We know these roads and we know how to move groups efficiently through event-day conditions across the tri-state area. Learn more about our charter services here.
Our drivers are professional, locally experienced, and deeply familiar with the routes through Westchester, into New Jersey, and to the Meadowlands specifically. We have operated in this region for over 70 years — this is not a company that relies on GPS apps to find the way. Learn more about who we are.
Who Should Be Thinking About This Now
Fan groups and supporters’ clubs. Companies hosting client entertainment. Youth soccer organizations. Churches and civic groups. Recreation departments. Hotels arranging guest transportation. If you are moving more than 15 people to MetLife this summer for any World Cup match, a charter bus is the most cost-effective and lowest-stress option available.
For groups on Long Island, our Beacon Mobility sister company WE Transport provides charter services across Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the greater New York metro area with the same quality and safety standards.
Book Before It Is Too Late
An estimated 1.2 million visitors are expected in the New York and New Jersey region during the World Cup. Eight matches over five weeks. Zero on-site parking. Charter bus demand will be at a premium throughout the entire tournament window, with the Final on July 19 representing the single highest-demand day of all. Companies and groups that wait until June to figure out transportation will face limited options and significantly higher pricing.
The groups booking now are the ones that will deliver a seamless experience. Request a charter quote from Royal Coach Lines today. Tell us your match, your group size, and where in Westchester you need pickup — we will take it from there. You can also contact our team directly with any questions.
