MetLife Stadium Football Travel Guide: Transport, Hotels and Matchday Tips
MetLife Stadium Football Travel Guide: Transport, Hotels and Matchday Tips
MetLife Stadium located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, (not New York City), influenced almost all aspects of the matchday experience.
The venue is very close to Manhattan on the map, but fans had to plan rail tickets, shuttle services, rideshare drop-off locations and post-match queues.
The stadium will be New York New Jersey Stadium in 2026 and will host 8 matches, including the final on 19 July 2026, for the FIFA World Cup.
This MetLife Stadium football travel guide covers:
Where the stadium is located
How supporters travelled from New York and New Jersey
Where to stay
Where to eat and drink before the match
Stadium entry and bag rules
What to expect after the final whistle
For wider information about host cities, accommodation and multi-city routes, see the 2026 FIFA World Cup Travel Guide.
MetLife Stadium at a Glance
Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
World Cup name: New York New Jersey Stadium
Nearest stadium rail station: Meadowlands Station
Best base for sightseeing: Manhattan
Best base for easier New Jersey access: Jersey City, Hoboken or Secaucus
Main matchday challenge: Moving a large crowd between the stadium and the wider New York region
Visitors needs to know the stadium is not in the middle of New York.
While a hotel near Times Square, Central Park, or Lower Manhattan would make for a great city break, it would not allow for an easy walk or direct metro ride to the stadium.
Where Is MetLife Stadium?
MetLife Stadium is located at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The area around the stadium has a lot of parking spaces, the Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment, and the American Dream shopping and entertainment facility. Unlike traditional city-center football districts with streets of pubs and restaurants right outside the turnstiles, the area is devoid of those amenities.
This meant supporters generally followed one of four matchday approaches:
Travel from Manhattan using official rail or shuttle arrangements.
Stay in Jersey City, Hoboken, Secaucus or another New Jersey base.
Drive and use approved parking where available.
Eat or drink at an off-site venue offering event transport.
For most international visitors, the decision about where to stay mattered almost as much as the choice of match.
[ New York and New Jersey Football Travel Guide]
How to Get to MetLife Stadium from New York City
For ordinary stadium events, supporters typically travel through Secaucus Junction before connecting to Meadowlands Station when special rail service is operating.
World Cup matchdays used a more controlled system.
Supporters staying anywhere within New York City’s five boroughs were instructed to use Penn Station New York for stadium rail travel. Tickets had to be purchased in advance, were limited by matchday and included designated boarding windows.
The basic route was:
Penn Station New York → Secaucus Junction → Meadowlands Station
Meadowlands Station is located beside the sports complex, reducing the need for an additional taxi or bus transfer.
However, supporters still needed to allow time for:
Queues at Penn Station
Ticket checks before boarding
The transfer at Secaucus Junction
Walking from Meadowlands Station
Stadium security and entry checks
A journey that looked short on a transport map could therefore take much longer on a major matchday.
Travelling from New Jersey
Staying in New Jersey could reduce the distance to the stadium, but it did not always remove the need for a transfer.
Jersey City and Hoboken offered access to Manhattan while keeping visitors on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. Secaucus provided useful rail connections but offered fewer major tourist attractions.
Supporters arriving from other New Jersey rail stations generally travelled toward Secaucus Junction and connected to the Meadowlands service when event trains were operating.
The best base depended on the wider trip:
Jersey City: good balance between Manhattan access and New Jersey location
Hoboken: restaurants, bars and waterfront views
Secaucus: practical transport base
East Rutherford and Carlstadt: closer to the stadium but less convenient for a full New York holiday
Newark: useful for Newark Liberty International Airport and onward rail connections
[Best Areas to Stay in New Jersey for MetLife Stadium]
Where to Stay Near MetLife Stadium
There is no single perfect accommodation area.
Visitors deciding where to stay needed to choose between matchday convenience and the wider New York travel experience.
Stay in Manhattan for Sightseeing
Manhattan suited travellers who wanted:
Major landmarks
Restaurants and nightlife
Museums and neighbourhoods
Several days in New York
Access to Penn Station
The disadvantage was the longer and more controlled matchday journey.
[Best Manhattan Hotels for MetLife Stadium Visitors]
Stay in Jersey City or Hoboken for Balance
Jersey City and Hoboken allowed visitors to stay near the Hudson waterfront while retaining access to Manhattan through PATH and ferry services.
These areas were useful for travellers who wanted restaurants and city views without staying in central Manhattan.
[Best Hotels in Jersey City for Football Travellers]
Stay Near the Meadowlands for Matchday Convenience
Several hotels are located in East Rutherford, Carlstadt and the wider Meadowlands area.
They reduce the physical distance to the stadium, although visitors still needed to confirm whether the hotel offered an event shuttle or whether walking was practical.
Useful hotel options include:
Fairfield Inn East Rutherford Meadowlands
Fairfield Inn East Rutherford Meadowlands is promoted by Visit New Jersey as a property near MetLife Stadium. It also provides breakfast, which may be useful before an early stadium departure.
[Fairfield Inn East Rutherford Meadowlands Review]
Residence Inn East Rutherford Meadowlands
Residence Inn East Rutherford offers rooms with kitchen facilities, making it more suitable for longer stays or groups that prefer to prepare some meals themselves.
[Residence Inn East Rutherford Meadowlands Review]
Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel
Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel includes Finch’s restaurant and lounge, allowing guests to eat without arranging another journey before or after the event.
[Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel Review]
Holiday Inn Express Meadowlands Area
Holiday Inn Express Meadowlands Area is another nearby practical option with breakfast included.
[Holiday Inn Express Meadowlands Area Review]
Where to Eat Before a Match
MetLife Stadium is surrounded by large venues and transport infrastructure rather than a compact restaurant neighbourhood.
Supporters therefore needed to decide whether to eat near their hotel, in Manhattan before travelling, at American Dream, at a nearby New Jersey restaurant, or inside the stadium.
Redd’s Restaurant and Biergarten
Redd’s is one of the clearest pre-match venues near MetLife Stadium.
Located at 317 Washington Avenue in Carlstadt, it operates as a casual restaurant, bar and outdoor biergarten. The venue has more than 35 televisions and offers shuttle service to major events at the sports complex.
Its event parking and shuttle model makes it especially relevant for visitors who want to combine food, drinks and transport.
Supporters should reserve event parking or shuttle packages in advance rather than assuming availability on arrival.
[Redd’s Restaurant and Biergarten Near MetLife Stadium]
Yard House at American Dream
Yard House operates inside American Dream and promotes itself as being within walking distance of MetLife Stadium via the pedestrian connection. It offers a large beer selection, American-style food and space for groups.
It can work for supporters who already have approved American Dream access or parking, but event-day pedestrian controls should always be checked.
[Yard House at American Dream]
Restaurants Inside American Dream
American Dream contains multiple dining options, including sit-down restaurants and casual food outlets.
Useful standalone restaurant pages could include:
Jarana is a Peruvian restaurant and pisco bar, while Little Sheep Hot Pot offers a more communal dining format suitable for groups. These are stronger choices for a planned meal than for supporters arriving shortly before kickoff.
Northern New Jersey Food Options
Supporters staying elsewhere in New Jersey could also consider notable local restaurants before travelling toward the stadium.
Examples include:
Rutt’s Hut: known for its deep-fried hot dogs
White Manna: a long-running slider restaurant
Fiore’s House of Quality: known for mozzarella and Italian sandwiches
La Fusta: an Argentine grill
Adega Grill: Portuguese dining in Newark’s Ironbound district
These locations are not all directly beside the stadium, so they are better suited to a wider New Jersey food itinerary than a last-minute pre-match stop.
[Best New Jersey Restaurants for World Cup Travellers]
Best Bars Near MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium is not surrounded by a traditional football pub district. Most supporters therefore choose between bars inside American Dream, sports bars in Hoboken, or established soccer pubs in Manhattan.
Bars at American Dream
American Dream is the closest large indoor dining and entertainment complex to MetLife Stadium. It contains dozens of restaurants and drinking venues, making it a practical option for supporters who want to meet before an event without travelling into another neighbourhood.
Dream 360 Bar can be combined with food at Sekai and virtual sports inside the Topgolf Swing Suites area. It may appeal to groups looking for entertainment as well as drinks before heading toward the stadium.
Supporters using American Dream should confirm event-day pedestrian routes, parking restrictions and closing times. Access between the complex and MetLife Stadium may be controlled during major events.
Hoboken Sports Bars
Hoboken offers a more traditional neighbourhood bar scene and is a useful option for supporters staying on the New Jersey waterfront.
Mulligan’s Pub, at 159 First Street, is one of Hoboken’s best-known football bars. The pub describes itself as a destination for both European football and the NFL, with large televisions around the venue and a menu that includes wings, burgers and an all-day Irish breakfast.
Finnegan’s Pub, at 734 Willow Avenue, is another soccer-focused option. It regularly shows football and is associated with the Arsenal supporters’ community in New Jersey.
Madd Hatter is a larger sports-bar option with more than 75 televisions and an extensive beer selection. It may suit groups that want a high-energy viewing environment rather than a smaller football pub.
Black Bear Bar & Grill is another long-running Hoboken sports bar, offering food, drinks and extensive sports coverage. It also promotes New York Giants viewing events, making it relevant for visitors attending American football games at MetLife Stadium.
Hoboken is better suited to watching an earlier fixture or meeting before travelling to East Rutherford. Supporters still need to leave enough time for the journey to the stadium.
Manhattan Soccer Bars
Manhattan offers the widest selection of established soccer pubs, but it is less convenient immediately before a MetLife Stadium event because supporters still need to travel into New Jersey.
Smithfield Hall, in Chelsea, is one of New York City’s best-known soccer bars. It regularly attracts supporters for major international tournaments and club football, with extensive screen coverage and a large indoor and outdoor space.
The Monro Pub, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, provides a more traditional football-pub atmosphere and is particularly associated with English football culture.
These venues are strongest choices for non-match days, early kickoffs or supporters staying in New York for several days. Anyone attending an event at MetLife Stadium afterward should leave a substantial transport buffer.
For visitors focused only on the stadium area, American Dream is the closest practical option. Hoboken offers the best New Jersey neighbourhood bar experience, while Manhattan provides the strongest overall selection of dedicated soccer pubs.
Food Inside MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium sells typical American stadium food, including burgers, hot dogs, chicken and fries.
More distinctive options reported during 2026 included:
Fuku: fried chicken sandwiches and tenders
Global Pies: empanadas
Nonna Fusco’s Kitchen: pasta, meatball sandwiches and chicken cutlet sandwiches
Specific stands and section locations may change between events, so visitors should check the current stadium dining directory before attending.
MetLife Stadium Matchday Plan
Four to Five Hours Before Kickoff
Leave Manhattan or the wider hotel area.
Supporters using official transport should arrive during the boarding window shown on their ticket.
Three Hours Before Kickoff
Reach New Jersey or the stadium complex.
Eat before entering if using a nearby restaurant or event venue.
Two Hours Before Kickoff
Join stadium security and entrance queues.
Avoid waiting until the final hour for food, tickets or transport questions.
One Hour Before Kickoff
Find the correct section and seat.
Use toilets and purchase food before the busiest final pre-match period.
After the Match
Follow staff instructions toward the correct train, shuttle, parking or rideshare queue.
Do not assume the route used before the match will remain open in exactly the same way afterwards.
Related MetLife Stadium Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MetLife Stadium in New York?
No. MetLife Stadium is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is marketed as part of the New York and New Jersey host region because of its proximity to New York City.
What was MetLife Stadium called during the World Cup?
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it used the tournament name New York New Jersey Stadium.
Can you take a train from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium?
Yes, when Meadowlands event rail service is operating. The usual journey involves travelling from Penn Station New York to Secaucus Junction and then connecting to Meadowlands Station.
Can you walk from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium?
No. The stadium is across the Hudson River in New Jersey and requires rail, shuttle, car or another transport service.
Are there restaurants directly outside MetLife Stadium?
The immediate stadium area does not have a traditional street of restaurants. American Dream and nearby venues such as Redd’s provide some of the most practical pre-match options.
Is it better to stay in Manhattan or New Jersey?
Manhattan is better for sightseeing, restaurants and a wider New York holiday. Jersey City, Hoboken, Secaucus and the Meadowlands area can make the New Jersey side of the journey easier.
How early should supporters arrive?
For a major international match, arriving in the stadium area at least two to three hours before kickoff was sensible. Additional time was required for travel from Manhattan and transport checks.
Can you use rideshare after a match?
Yes, but designated pickup points, traffic and premium pricing can make rideshare slow and expensive. It should not be the only planned route home.
