‘Unacceptable’ Penn Station Closure for World Cup Draws Immediate Backlash

News that portions of Penn Station could be closed to anyone without a World Cup ticket for hours at a time this summer has rattled commuters already weary from years of delays, service reductions and shifting schedules. For them, the message isn’t about global soccer but more about local survival.The reaction from daily riders to the news first reported by NorthJersey.com has been swift and pointed. Joe Versaggie, president of the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers, made his feelings clear. “Unacceptable,” he said. “Regular passengers come first. The world does not stop because of the World Cup. They had better come up with alternatives to handle all the regular passengers at no additional cost.”The reported plan would limit access to parts of Penn Station to ticketed spectators attending matches at MetLife Stadium. For roughly four hours prior to kickoff on select days in June and July, only fans with credentials would be allowed to use designated NJ Transit boarding areas for trains bound for New Jersey.“This might be the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” read one social media post that was similar to many.“This will be an absolute disaster,” read another.Amtrak and Long Island Railroad passengers would still be able to access trains, though likely through different entrances. For everyone else without World Cup tickets, the implications are clear: start making plans for rerouted commutes, crowded alternatives, and reimaged workdays.Four of the eight matches scheduled for MetLife Stadium this summer fall on weekdays when NJ Transit handles an estimated 132,000 passengers through Penn Station. A 3 p.m. game is scheduled for Monday, June 16; an 8 p.m. game on Monday June 22, a 4 p.m. game on Wednesday June 25 and another knockout round match to-be-determined, but likely on a weekday.Those start times intersect directly with peak commuting hours. On those days, riders may need to divert to Hoboken Terminal, rely on PATH trains, take buses or ferries or adjust their work and personal schedules altogether. Employers and employees could also push for more remote work or staggered office hours.Anticipating the impact closing Penn Station will have is part of the frustration. “This is something people schedule their lives around — their commute,” Mr. Versaggi said. “You can’t just tell them ‘figure it out.’”Transit officials insist the plan is still being finalized. A spokesperson for NJ Transit said the agency is working with regional partners to balance the needs of World Cup visitors and regular rides.“The 2026 World Cup is a historic opportunity for our region, but we are acutely aware of the challenges it presents to our existing infrastructure,” the spokesperson said. “Our goal is to ensure safe transit for World Cup attendees while minimizing disruptions to the greatest extent possible for our regular customers.”Meeting that goal won’t be easy. On game days, officials expect tens of thousands of spectators to move through the transit system in a compressed window. To manage the surge, NJ Transit plans to funnel fans through Secaucus Junction where they will transfer to trains or a dedicated bus rapid transit system to reach the stadium. After matches empty trains will be staged at Secaucus to expedite departures.There is little relief for fans hoping to avoid rail disruptions by driving. Parking will be banned at MetLife Stadium during the tournament. Drivers will be directed to park-and-ride locations and shuttle systems coordinated by state transportation officials.Commuters were quick to point out Penn Station remained open through some of the area’s largest events from sold-out NFL games, major concerts, the World Cup Club matches and the 2014 Super Bowl at the same venue.“They’ve handled big crowds before, but shutting regular riders out? That’s news,” one commuter complained.Some transportation analysts also warn that diverting resources toward a single event operation could ripple across the broader system, leading to congestion, not just at Penn Station, but across connecting lines and alternative routes.“You’re shifting tens of thousands of people through a network that’s already operating near capacity,” one transit official said.Meanwhile, Boston’s public transportation system announced that trains from the city to World Cup matches in Foxborough will cost $80, four times the usual cost for travel to NFL and MLS games. Passengers will only be allowed to board the trains for the 22-mile ride if they have a ticket to the World Cup match. Foxborough will host seven World Cup matches, including two knockout round games.

‘Unacceptable’ Penn Station Closure for World Cup Draws Immediate Backlash

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