Hotels and Lodging for the FIFA World Cup 2026: New Jersey/New York Edition

New Jersey and New York are expected to be a popular destination during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. MetLife Stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is set to host eight matches, including the final match. The stadium, which will be known as New York/New Jersey Stadium during the tournament, will also host five group-stage matches, a Round of 32 match, and a Round of 16 match.

Because so many matches will be played at one venue — including the tournament’s biggest match — hotel demand is likely to stay high throughout the World Cup and rise even more around the knockout rounds and final weekend. If you are planning to stay in the Big Apple during the World Cup, expect higher prices, especially in the most convenient and popular locations.

TL;DR FIFA World Cup 2026 MetLife Stadium hotel and lodging outlook

• MetLife Stadium will host eight World Cup matches, including the final.

• Hotel demand is expected to be high across Northern New Jersey and New York City.

• Manhattan may offer the classic New York experience, but it will likely be one of the priciest places to stay.

• Secaucus, Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, and Meadowlands-area hotels may offer easier stadium access or better value.

• NJ TRANSIT is expected to be one of the easiest ways to reach MetLife Stadium.

• Booking as early as possible and staying flexible on location will likely give travelers the most options.

• Workforce travelers and crews working in the Toronto area should plan ahead, consider lodging outside Toronto, be flexible, and look to lodging partners for help.

What to consider when planning a trip to New Jersey and New York for the FIFA World Cup 2026

When planning a trip to the New Jersey / New York area for the World Cup, the biggest thing to keep in mind is that all matches will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, not in New York City itself. Many travelers will naturally look at Manhattan first, but staying there usually means a longer trip to the stadium and higher nightly rates.

At the same time, this region gives visitors far more lodging choices than most host cities. Travelers can stay near the stadium, near Newark Airport, in Jersey City or Hoboken, or in New York City neighborhoods with strong rail access. That means the best hotel is not always the closest one on a map.

For many visitors, the smartest choice will come down to budget, transportation, and whether the trip is mainly about attending matches, exploring New York City, or both.

Where to stay near New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium: hotel and lodging options

For travelers focused on the easiest match-day trip, Northern New Jersey may be the best place to start. Secaucus, East Rutherford, Rutherford, and nearby Meadowlands areas are practical choices for visitors who want to stay closer to MetLife Stadium.

Jersey City and Hoboken can be strong middle-ground options. Both offer restaurants, nightlife, skyline views, and convenient access to Manhattan while still keeping New Jersey transit options nearby. Newark is often worth considering for travelers flying into Newark Liberty International Airport or looking for lower hotel rates than Manhattan. It can also be a practical base for visitors who want rail access and airport convenience. 

Travelers who want the full New York experience may still prefer Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens. These areas offer more sightseeing, dining, and nightlife, though they usually come with higher prices and a longer trip to the stadium on match days.

How much you should expect to pay for lodging in New Jersey and New York

Hotel prices in the New Jersey / New York area are likely to be higher than in many other World Cup host cities, especially because MetLife Stadium will host the final. Rates will likely rise the most around knockout matches and final weekend, with some of the highest prices in Manhattan and hotels closest to major transit routes.

Travelers looking to save money will usually find better value outside Midtown Manhattan. Newark, Secaucus, Meadowlands-area hotels, Queens, and some outer-borough neighborhoods may offer lower nightly rates while still providing practical access to the stadium.

Booking early will likely be one of the best ways to keep costs down. Travelers who are willing to stay one train ride away, rather than in the most popular parts of Manhattan, may have a better chance of finding lower prices and more hotel options.

How short-term rental regulations are affecting lodging options in the MetLife Stadium area

Short-term rental (STR) rules are stricter in New York City than in many other major cities, which will limit many NYC Airbnb-style options during the tournament. NYC’s registration law has already reduced unregulated whole-apartment STRs, which pushes more demand toward hotels and registered home-shares. That means travelers looking for home shares rather than hotels may find fewer choices in Manhattan and some other parts of the city than they expect.

New Jersey may offer more short-term rental options in some areas, but hotels will likely remain the most consistent and widely available lodging choice across the region. Travelers who prefer apartments or home-style stays should plan early and compare options carefully.

New York City’s Five Boroughs

New York City gives travelers more lodging variety than almost any other World Cup host city. Another major advantage is the city’s public transportation. No matter which borough you choose to stay in, it is usually possible to reach other parts of the city by subway, commuter rail, or bus. That can make staying outside Manhattan a practical option for visitors attending matches at MetLife Stadium.

The city’s five boroughs are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Each offers a different mix of price, atmosphere, and convenience.

Manhattan

Manhattan is the most central and most expensive place to stay in the region. It offers the classic New York experience, with major attractions, restaurants, nightlife, and a large number of hotels. It is also one of the easiest boroughs for reaching Penn Station, where many travelers can connect to NJ TRANSIT service toward MetLife Stadium. For visitors who want to combine the World Cup with a New York vacation, Manhattan may be worth the higher price.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn can be a strong option for travelers who want a city stay with a more neighborhood feel. Visitors will find restaurants, nightlife, waterfront areas, and hotel prices that may be lower than many Manhattan options. For match days, travelers can take the subway into Manhattan and continue to New Jersey by rail. Brooklyn may appeal to visitors who want access to the city without staying in the busiest tourist areas.

Queens

Queens is often one of the most practical choices for budget-conscious travelers. It includes both JFK and LaGuardia airports and has many hotel options ranging from airport stays to neighborhoods like Long Island City with strong transit access. Queens can be a smart fit for travelers who want lower nightly rates, airport convenience, or easier access to Manhattan without paying Manhattan prices.

The Bronx

The Bronx may be worth considering for travelers looking for lower hotel rates than Manhattan. It can work well for visitors who are comfortable with a longer transit trip on match days. While it is less convenient than Midtown or Northern New Jersey options, it may offer better value for travelers willing to trade some time for savings.

Staten Island

Staten Island can be a better fit for longer stays or travelers with a car than for visitors focused on quick trips to MetLife Stadium. Hotel options are often more limited than in the other boroughs, but rates may be lower. It may appeal to budget-conscious travelers who do not mind a longer commute and want to stay within New York City.

Transportation options while attending the World Cup 2026 in New Jersey / New York

For travelers staying anywhere in New York City, getting to MetLife Stadium will usually start with getting to Penn Station, whether that means taking the subway, commuter rail, or ferry connections depending on the borough. From Penn Station, fans can take NJ TRANSIT to Secaucus Junction — usually on trains marked “SEC” — and then transfer to the Meadowlands shuttle train, which goes directly to Meadowlands Rail Station next to MetLife Stadium. NJ TRANSIT has announced special World Cup round-trip fares of about $150 from New York Penn Station to the stadium, which is a cost fans need to factor in. Shuttle buses from Midtown Manhattan and other locations are expected to cost about $80 round trip, while prepaid parking near the stadium has been listed around $225. Because this is likely to be one of the busiest World Cup transportation routes in the country, travelers should expect to pay to get to matches, while also traversing crowds. Fans should also be sure to check schedules and pricing before match day.

Lodging options within driving distance of New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium

Many lodging options across Northern New Jersey and New York City are within driving distance of MetLife Stadium, but match-day traffic can make travel times longer than they appear on a map.

Travelers staying in Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, Queens, Brooklyn, or other surrounding areas may still find a longer commute worthwhile for lower hotel prices, more availability, or a better overall trip experience. For many visitors, staying a bit farther away can offer better value than paying premium prices near the stadium.

Newark hotel and lodging options

Newark can be one of the most practical choices in the region. It offers airport hotels, downtown hotels, and strong rail connections to both New York City and Northern New Jersey. Newark may be a smart fit for travelers flying into EWR, looking for lower rates, or wanting convenient transportation options.

Jersey City hotel and lodging options

Jersey City can be a strong option for travelers who want a city stay without Manhattan prices. Visitors can find waterfront hotels, restaurants, skyline views, and PATH access into Manhattan, while still keeping practical routes into New Jersey for match days.

NYC (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, & Staten Island) hotel and lodging options

New York City offers the widest range of lodging options in the region, including many choices outside Manhattan. Staying in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island may mean a longer trip to MetLife Stadium with extra subway or rail connections, but these boroughs can offer lower hotel rates, fewer tourist crowds, and a more local New York experience. For travelers who want to make the World Cup part of a larger New York trip and are comfortable using public transportation on match days, these areas may be worth considering.

Manhattan hotel and lodging options

Manhattan is the premium option for travelers who want the classic New York experience. Midtown, Times Square, and Penn Station areas can be especially convenient for dining, sightseeing, and rail access toward MetLife Stadium. The tradeoff is price and crowds, as Manhattan will likely be one of the busiest and most expensive places to stay during the tournament.

What workforce travelers and crews in the New Jersey and New York City area should expect during the World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will primarily drive leisure and event-related travel into New Jersey and NYC, but workforce travelers and project-based teams in the area should still expect the possibility of major lodging disruptions during the tournament.

Large international events like the World Cup often create lodging pressure far beyond the stadium where matches will be played. As stadium-adjacent hotels in New Jersey begin filling with fans, sponsors, media, and event staff, lodging demand will spill into surrounding business travel and workforce lodging markets creating several challenges for companies with ongoing travel and lodging needs during the tournament window:

• Reduced inventory for extended stay hotel options and crew blocks

• Higher hotel rates across New Jersey and New York

• Sold-out hotels near airports, interstates, and industrial corridors

• Longer commute times and more complicated routing as workers are pushed farther away from job sites

• Changing hotel policies: stricter cancellations, minimum-stay requirements, less flexibility for late changes, little room to no room for project extensions

Workforce travelers may feel the impact even if they are not traveling anywhere near the stadium. Major events often affect airport hotels, suburban business hotels, and secondary lodging markets throughout the area as travelers of all kinds expand outward looking for available rooms at better price points.

For companies managing utility work, construction crews, field teams, infrastructure projects, consulting engagements, or service operations, flexibility is essential. Organizations with fixed schedules or long-term projects in the area will likely face significantly higher lodging costs and fewer placement options than normal.

To help reduce project disruption, companies may want to:

• Adjust timelines

• Secure lodging as early as possible

• Expand acceptable lodging markets

• Prepare backup lodging and transportation plans in surrounding cities

• Anticipate and plan for elevated pricing, adjust policy rate caps accordingly  

• Work with Corpay Lodging to secure alternative inventory when primary and secondary markets tighten

Even workforce travelers just passing through the New Jersey / New York region during the World Cup window may encounter tighter availability and higher rates than normal.

FAQs

Where to stay in the New York / New Jersey area for the World Cup?

The best place to stay depends on whether your priority is stadium access, city experience, or budget. For fans who are only visiting the area for the World Cup, staying near the stadium in Secaucus, Meadowlands-area hotels, Newark, and Jersey City are good options for easy access. 

For travelers who want a fuller city experience, staying in Manhattan and inner-borough areas with good transit access to Penn Station will be a good fit. 

What transportation options are there in and around MetLife Stadium?

NJ TRANSIT’s Meadowlands Rail Line will be the core World Cup rail option. Fans will be able to reach Secaucus Junction from Manhattan Penn Station, Newark, and other New Jersey rail points, then transfer to Meadowlands Rail for stadium service. NJ TRANSIT has also stated that only match ticketholders may board Meadowlands Rail on event days, so plan to buy your tickets in advance. There will be other options to accommodate the many fans trying to get to and from the stadium, such as supplemental buses, rideshare zones, and substantial parking, but rail plus transfer is likely to be the simplest way to get around for most visitors.

Will the FIFA World Cup affect workforce lodging across NYC and New Jersey?

Very likely. Hotel demand generated by the World Cup could extend far beyond the East Rutherford, NJ area where the stadium is located to affect lodging availability across much of New York City and even suburban New Jersey.

Could suburban and airport hotel markets also see higher prices?

Yes. Airport corridors and other business travel markets could also experience elevated nightly rates and tighter hotel inventory as travelers move outward from the stadium area.

How could the tournament impact ongoing projects and crew travel in New Jersey / New York?

Any projects with fixed schedules should expect fewer hotel options, higher costs, and less booking flexibility than normal.

What should companies with workers in the NYC / New Jersey area do to prepare for workforce travel during the World Cup?

Flexibility is key. Companies should also prepare contingency plans to help reduce disruption, and book as early as possible. For organizations with regular travel into the NYC / New Jersey area working with a lodging provider to source inventory across multiple surrounding markets could be beneficial as well.

Summary: Hotel and lodging in New Jersey and New York for the World Cup

Because MetLife Stadium will hold the final match of the 2026 World Cup, New Jersey and New York will be one of the tournament’s busiest cities. The stadium will host eight matches in total, Travelers should expect higher prices and tighter availability as major match dates get closer.

The good news is that this region offers far more lodging choices than most host cities. Visitors can stay near the stadium, in Northern New Jersey cities, or in New York City depending on budget and trip priorities. Travelers who book early and stay flexible on location will likely have the best chance of finding the right fit.

If you’re a travel manager bringing workforce travel to the region, reach out about our flexible, cost-conscious options and broad hotel network. Membership is free and joining is easy.