MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey hosts more 2026 World Cup matches than any other venue in North America. The stadium serves as the Final venue and also hosts group stage and knockout games. The complete WorldCupPass 2026 dates lists every MetLife Stadium fixture with dates and kickoff times.

MetLife Stadium sits in the New York metropolitan area, the largest media market in the United States. Its 82,500-seat capacity makes it the biggest stadium in the tournament. FIFA assigned the Final here because of that capacity and because New York brings global prestige to the championship match.

Group Stage and Knockout Matches at MetLife

MetLife hosts several group-stage matches starting in June 2026. Multiple groups rotate through the stadium across the first three weeks of the tournament. After the group stage, MetLife returns as a knockout venue for the Round of 32, Round of 16, and then at minimum the Quarterfinals and the Final.

Group-stage kickoff times at MetLife tend to run between 2 PM and 8 PM ET. Knockout matches shift toward later afternoon slots to hit European prime time. The Final on July 19 has a scheduled 3 PM or 4 PM ET kickoff, giving both stadium fans and global television audiences a strong viewing window.

Getting to MetLife Stadium for World Cup Matches

MetLife Stadium is accessible via New Jersey Transit train from Penn Station in Manhattan. The ride takes about 30 minutes and drops fans directly at the stadium entrance. NJ Transit adds extra service on match days. Driving is possible but parking is limited and arrives on a first-come basis.

Getting to MetLife Stadium on Match Days

MetLife Stadium sits about 10 miles from Midtown Manhattan in East Rutherford, New Jersey. On match days NJ Transit runs direct trains from Penn Station to the stadium. The ride takes under 30 minutes and drops you off steps from the gate. Rideshare and bus services also run full routes from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Jersey City throughout the day.

Fans attending MetLife matches should arrive early. The surrounding area gets congested fast once a crowd exceeds 60,000. The stadium opens its gates roughly two hours before kickoff for World Cup matches. Arriving early gives you time to explore the fan zones set up outside the venue without rushing through security lines.

The surrounding area has hotels in Secaucus, Newark, and across the Hudson River in Manhattan. Booking several months in advance is essential because the World Cup Final will draw visitors from around the world.