MetLife Stadium
East Rutherford, NJ
Recommended departure
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Gates open
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01
Stadium Entrances
Which gate to use and how to find it fast
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📍 Select a city above
Your ticket determines your gate. Open your FIFA app or ticket confirmation before you leave your hotel — your gate letter or number is printed on the ticket. Do not walk to the wrong end of the stadium.
General entry rules
1
Check your ticket for the gate letter (A, B, C, D or numbered). This is printed clearly on your FIFA ticket PDF or in the FIFA+ app.
2
Arrive at your specific gate only. Security won't let you in through a different gate even if the queue is shorter.
3
Have your ID ready alongside your ticket. Many World Cup venues require photo ID to match the ticket name for knockout rounds.
4
Clear bag policy is enforced. Small clear bags only (12"x6"x12" max). Non-clear bags will be turned away at the gate.
Gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff. For big matches (QF onwards) arrive when gates open — security lines at peak matches run 45–60 minutes.
02
Getting There
Beat surge pricing and traffic without the stress
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Search & book flights — Kiwi.com
Search flights — Aviasales
Never open Uber or Lyft within 90 minutes of kickoff. Surge pricing during World Cup matches will be 3–5x normal rates. A $15 ride becomes $60–90. Book in advance or use transit.
The 3 strategies that beat surge pricing
1
Pre-book a transfer — Kiwitaxi and Welcome Pickups lock in a fixed price before match day. No surge. Driver meets you at your hotel. Book 24–48 hours ahead.
2
Use public transit. Every host city has stadium-specific transit routes running on match days. Slower but zero surge. Buy a day pass when you arrive in the city.
3
Leave early. If you take a rideshare, open the app 2+ hours before kickoff. Surge hasn't hit yet and you can afford to wait at the stadium.
Recommended departure times from hotel
Walking distance 90 min before
15–30 min transit 2 hrs before
30–60 min away 2.5 hrs before
Driving in 3 hrs before
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03
Parking
Where to park and how to avoid the post-match gridlock
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Official stadium lots will be $50–120 on match day. Pre-booking via SpotHero or ParkWhiz cuts this to $25–45 and guarantees your spot.
Parking strategy
1
Book online before match day. Search "SpotHero [your stadium]" or "ParkWhiz [your stadium]" — both have pre-paid lots within 0.5 miles of every WC venue.
2
Park 0.5–1 mile away instead of in official lots. Less congestion getting out, half the price, 10-minute walk.
3
Leave before the 80th minute if you need to drive. Staying to the final whistle means 45–90 minutes stuck in lot exit queues.
4
Do not park in residential streets. Host cities are issuing game-day permit restrictions with heavy fines and towing around all 16 venues.
Need a hotel near the stadium?
Driving between cities?
04
When to Leave Your Hotel
Personalised departure time based on your kickoff
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Select your kickoff time and hotel distance above to get your personalised departure recommendation.
Match day timeline
1
Night before: Screenshot your ticket, download it offline in the FIFA app. Check your bag is clear-approved.
2
Match morning: Eat a full meal. Stadium food is expensive ($18–25 per item at most WC venues). Eat before you go.
3
2–3 hours before kickoff: Leave your hotel. This is your window before surge pricing hits and before security lines build.
4
At the stadium: Head straight to your gate. Do not explore the concourse until you're through security.
5
After the match: Wait 15–20 minutes inside before exiting if you're not rushing. Crowds thin dramatically and your rideshare surge drops.
05
What to Bring & What's Banned
Don't get turned away at the gate
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Items turned away at the gate cannot be stored. There is no bag check at any 2026 World Cup venue. Banned items will be confiscated or you will be asked to return them to your hotel.
✅ Allowed — bring these
Phone + portable charger
Prescription meds (sealed)
Baby food & formula
Non-professional camera (no detachable lens)
Cards (most venues cashless)
🚫 Banned — leave these behind
Non-clear bags of any size
Outside alcohol
Outside food & drink (sealed water ok)
Professional camera (detachable lens)
Laser pointers
Drums/large noisemakers
Vapes & e-cigarettes (most venues)
Folding chairs or seat cushions with frames
Need to buy stadium essentials? Clear bags, cooling towels, sunscreen, water bottles and more — all on our Fan Gear page. Delivered to your hotel.
Most venues are cashless in 2026. Bring Visa or Mastercard. Some venues accept Apple Pay and Google Pay. Have a backup card in case contactless fails.
06
After the Match
Where to go, what to do, how to get back safely
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Do not order a rideshare the second the final whistle blows. Wait 15–20 minutes inside the stadium. Surge peaks in the 10 minutes after the match ends, then drops sharply.
Best post-match moves
Fan Zones
Every host city has official FIFA fan zones open before and after matches. Free entry, live screens, food and drink. Closest to the stadium.
Pre-plan your dinner spot
Restaurants within 1 mile of stadiums will be slammed. Book a table in advance or walk 15 minutes further for half the wait time.
Walk 2–3 blocks first
Walk away from the stadium before opening your rideshare app. Prices drop significantly just 3 blocks from the venue exits.
City experiences
Pre-book a Go City pass for access to city attractions — many stay open late on match nights to capture World Cup foot traffic.
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Tours, sightseeing & experiences
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Go City Pass
Attraction passes for all WC host cities
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Pre-book return transfer
Use code TPO5 — 5% off
Fixed price, no surge, back to your hotel
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Also budgeting for your trip? Check worldcup2026budget.com — free trip cost calculator covering flights, hotels, tickets and more across all 16 cities.