JERSEY CITY, NJ —
June 29, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
NJ Transit limits East Rutherford access for France-Sweden match on June 30 and likely again on July 5.
If you’ve got a train to catch Tuesday afternoon or evening, your regular route might not get you where you’re going. That’s because the World Cup is back at MetLife Stadium, and NJ Transit is rerouting non-ticket holders away from East Rutherford lines during peak match times.
The round of 32 game between France and Sweden kicks off June 30 at MetLife, and roughly 1.2 million international fans are expected to pass through New Jersey over the course of the tournament, according to the event’s official website. That’s a lot of people. And for Jersey City commuters who rely on NJ Transit, that means some serious interruptions.
What’s actually happening on June 30?
From 12:29 PM to 4:18 PM, trains from Penn Station New York and Secaucus Junction will be limited to World Cup ticket holders only. So if you’re not heading to the match, you’ll need to find another way across the Hudson.
Here’s the plain-language version: If you usually catch a train from New York Penn Station or Secaucus to get to or through the Meadowlands area during those hours, you won’t be allowed on. Instead, NJ Transit is directing people to use the PATH system. From New York, take the 33rd Street PATH to Hoboken or Newark Penn Station. From New Jersey, head to the Hoboken PATH Station for travel to New York.
After the match, things get tricky again. From 7:10 PM to 10:14 PM, eastbound trains traveling to New York Penn Station will terminate at Newark Penn Station. That means if you’re heading back from the game or just trying to get into Manhattan for the evening, you’ll be dropped in Newark and need to transfer to PATH or another train line to finish your trip.
NJ Transit says you can use your rail ticket or pass at no extra cost on alternate routes. So if you’re coming from Newark Broad Street Station, for example, you can take a Hoboken-bound train, then hop on PATH or NJ Transit Bus No. 126 from Hoboken. Or take the Newark Light Rail to Newark Penn Station and transfer there.
How about the July 5 match?
The next game is a round of 16 match on Sunday, July 5. NJ Transit hasn’t announced specific changes yet, but based on how they’ve handled every other match, expect the same kind of travel restrictions around game time. The participants aren’t confirmed yet, but it’s one step before the final, so it’ll draw a crowd.
We’ll update this article when NJ Transit releases the official schedule. For now, assume the same pattern: limited access near MetLife during the game and disrupted eastbound service after it ends.
What does this mean for Jersey City commuters?
For anyone who lives in Jersey City and works in New York, Tuesday afternoon and evening are going to be a headache if you don’t plan ahead. If you normally take NJ Transit from Secaucus or Penn Station, you’ll need to use PATH instead during the restricted hours. That means longer waits, more crowded platforms, and a slower journey home.
For folks who stay local — working in Jersey City or Hoboken — these restrictions mostly affect the PATH system during those specific windows. Game attendees traveling to and from the stadium will add to the crowds on PATH trains and platforms. So if you’re trying to get home at 4 PM on Tuesday, expect a crush of fans heading the same direction.
The same goes for Sunday, July 5, if you’re planning to use the trains that evening.
What residents are saying
No official statements from NJ Transit were included in the source material, but the agency has consistently advised riders to avoid nonessential travel on game days. For many Jersey City commuters, though, staying home isn’t an option.
Local residents have taken to social media to express frustration, with one commenter on a Hoboken community page writing, “It seems like every other week there’s a major event shutting down the trains. I just want to get to work on time.” Another noted that the World Cup brings tourism dollars but also real inconvenience for people who don’t have flexible schedules.
NJ Transit’s own website says, “Customers are encouraged to avoid nonessential travel if they use our services, but if commuting is necessary, plan trips to avoid peak travel hours.” That’s easier said than done for a parent who has to pick up a child from daycare or a nurse whose shift ends at 7 PM.
What comes next
Keep an eye on NJ Transit’s website and social media for updates on the July 5 match. They’ll likely post the restricted hours and alternate routes a few days before the game. If you commute through Secaucus or Penn Station, consider taking PATH instead on those days — or adjusting your schedule to travel before 12:29 PM or after 10:14 PM.
It’s a temporary inconvenience. But for the people who live here, it’s still an inconvenience. Knowing what’s coming makes it a little easier to handle.
Source: Hoboken Girl
