Things to do in New York during the 2026 World Cup

New York is one of the marquee host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, less than 30 minutes from Manhattan. If you're heading to the city for the games — including two Brazil matches in the New York area — take the chance to explore one of the most iconic cities in the world. This guide covers what to do, how to get around, and how to make the most of every day in town.

New York at the 2026 World Cup — what to know before you arrive

MetLife Stadium is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but it's reachable from Manhattan in roughly 25 minutes by train (NJ Transit from Penn Station) or 40 minutes by car. Brazil's match in the New York area takes place on June 13 — Brazil vs Morocco at 7pm Brasília time.

During the World Cup, New York operates on EDT (UTC-4), with daylight saving time in effect. To convert any kickoff time to your local time zone, visit quehoras.co/what-time-is-it-in-new-york.

What to do in New York beyond the games

New York has attractions for every taste and budget. The best way to visit several landmarks without overspending is with a tourist pass, giving you unlimited or discounted access to dozens of attractions. The New York City Pass by Go City is one of the most popular options for visitors — you choose the attractions you want and save around 40% versus buying tickets individually.

If you'd rather book each attraction separately, Tiqets offers skip-the-line tickets to the city's top sights. Especially useful during the World Cup, when tourism in the city will be at its peak.

Must-see attractions in New York

Empire State Building — one of the most famous buildings in the world, with 360° panoramic views from the top. Book ahead through Tiqets to avoid lines of up to 2 hours at the entrance.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island — the symbol of New York, accessible by ferry from Battery Park. Reserve in advance because time slots sell out during major events like the World Cup.

Central Park — free and unmissable. Renting a bike or taking a guided tour is well worth it. Klook offers a range of Central Park experiences with English-speaking guides.

Times Square and Broadway — Times Square is free and runs 24/7; the best time to visit is at night when the lights are at their brightest. For Broadway, book weeks in advance — the top shows sell out fast during international events.

The High Line — an elevated park built on a former railway line in Chelsea. Free, open daily, with views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. Perfect for a walk between games.

Brooklyn Bridge — walking across takes about 45 minutes and offers one of the best views of Manhattan. Free and easy to reach by subway.

Unique experiences worth booking ahead

During the World Cup, New York will be busier than usual. Some popular experiences sell out weeks ahead — book early through Klook:

• Top of One World Trade Center tour — the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere
• Hudson River boat tour — panoramic views of the city from the water
• Madison Square Garden behind-the-scenes tour — a must for sports fans
• MoMA visit — the Museum of Modern Art, one of the most important collections in the world

Getting around New York during the World Cup

The New York subway runs 24 hours and is the fastest, cheapest way to get around. A single ride costs $2.90. For stays longer than 3 days, the 7-day unlimited pass ($34) is the better deal.

To reach MetLife Stadium on match days, NJ Transit runs special trains from Penn Station. Buy your ticket ahead through the app — lines at ticket booths are long on match days.

Avoid taxis and Uber near the stadium on match days — traffic is heavy and prices can be 3 to 4 times higher than normal due to surge pricing.

Traveler tip: eSIM for the USA

If you're traveling to New York for the World Cup and don't yet have mobile data, activate an eSIM before you fly out — it's far cheaper than carrier roaming. Airalo offers USA data plans starting at $5 per week, activated instantly via QR code with no need to swap your physical SIM.

When to visit attractions — timing tip

On match days at MetLife Stadium, avoid popular tourist attractions between 10am and 4pm — tourist flow will be heavy. The best times to visit places like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty during the World Cup are right at opening or in the evening.

To see kickoff times for World Cup matches in New York and plan your schedule, check the full 2026 World Cup calendar and the live New York time page.

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