Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Work from home to avoid World Cup commuter chaos in NYC, transit officials warn
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Apr 24, 2026
Modified Apr 29, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Apr 24, 2026
Modified Apr 29, 2026
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Transit officials are doubling down on urging people to avoid commuting into the city during the World Cup if they can.
A Port Authority official is asking New Yorkers to consider working from home once the World Cup starts in June, reiterating comments New Jersey Transit officials made to residents last week.
More than a million visitors are expected to travel to the New York City region this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the U.S. for the first time since 1994. The influx of soccer fans is expected to crowd bars and restaurants, strain public transit and add pressure to the city’s limited number of public restrooms.
At a press briefing on Thursday, Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia also discouraged people from relying on ride shares and warned about illegal taxis.
“If you are not attending one of the events, to please, if possible, work from home, because the city will be incredibly congested and so will New Jersey, so the back and forth is just going to be tough,” Garcia said.
New Jersey Transit officials have warned residents to avoid commuting into the office, with games on June 22 and June 30 expected to overlap with rush hour.
The New Jersey Transit section of Penn Station is expected to be closed to non-World Cup travelers four hours before each game. After the games, trains from New Jersey will terminate at Newark Penn Station or Newark Broad Street and riders will need to transfer to PATH trains to reach New York City.
For those traveling to the games, train tickets are expected to cost as much as $150, as Gothamist previously reported.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Penn Station would be closed to non-World Cup travelers for three hours after matches. Customers will still be able to access Penn Station from New York during that time, but NJ Transit trains from New Jersey will terminate at Newark stations, where riders must transfer to PATH service.
Tagged
new jersey
new york city
sports
transportation
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
Read more
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani plans redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue after nurse killed in hit-and-run
Sunset Park residents and street safety advocates have called on city officials to make the avenue safer for years.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 4:00 a.m. ET
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
The governor made the comments in the October edition of "Ask Governor Sherrill" on WNYC.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
1 killed, 4 others injured at Elizabeth, NJ vigil shooting
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .