The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. With 82,500 seats, it's the largest US venue at the tournament — and the only one dedicated to the Final.
- Stadium
- MetLife Stadium
- City
- East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Capacity
- 82,500 seats
- Built
- 2010
- NFL tenants
- New York Giants + New York Jets
- Final date
- July 19, 2026
Where exactly is MetLife Stadium?
MetLife is in East Rutherford, NJ — about 5 miles west of Manhattan, across the Hudson River. It's part of the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Even though it's marketed as the "New York / New Jersey" venue, it's physically in New Jersey, not New York.
How to get to MetLife from NYC
- NJ Transit train: direct from Penn Station (NYC) to Meadowlands. ~15 minutes, $5.25.
- Bus: from Port Authority Bus Terminal — slow on match days.
- Drive: 7 miles via the Lincoln Tunnel. Heavy parking traffic on match days.
- Rideshare: Uber/Lyft — expect surge pricing on Final day.
Other matches at MetLife (besides the Final)
MetLife hosts 8 total matches during the tournament, including:
- Group-stage matches (several)
- Round of 16
- Quarter-Final
- Semi-Final
- The FINAL — July 19, 2026
History of MetLife Stadium
MetLife opened in 2010, replacing the old Giants Stadium. Cost: $1.6 billion at the time — was the most expensive stadium in the world. Hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. Co-tenancy between the Giants and Jets is unique — it's the only NFL stadium shared by two teams. Both teams have their own locker rooms, end zones, and decorative colors that change weekly.
The Final crowd
An expected 82,500 spectators at the Final. Past Final attendance for comparison:
- 2022 Qatar (Lusail Stadium): 88,966 — Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina won on PKs).
- 2018 Russia (Luzhniki): 78,011 — France 4-2 Croatia.
- 2014 Brazil (Maracanã): 74,738 — Germany 1-0 Argentina.
Past Finals played in the USA
This is only the second World Cup Final ever played in the USA. The first was in 1994 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California (Brazil beat Italy on penalties). The 1999 Women's World Cup Final was also at the Rose Bowl (USA beat China on penalties — the famous Brandi Chastain shirt celebration).
Tickets
Final tickets sold via FIFA.com/tickets. Face-value range: $1,000–$4,000+. Secondary market prices for past Finals have ranged from $5,000 to $30,000+ depending on which teams qualify. Hospitality packages start at $15,000.
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Play today's puzzle →Frequently asked questions
Where is the 2026 World Cup Final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19, 2026.
Is MetLife Stadium in New York or New Jersey?
New Jersey. East Rutherford, specifically. About 5 miles west of Manhattan. The "New York" branding is because of its proximity to NYC.
What is the capacity for the Final?
82,500 seats — the largest US venue at the World Cup.
When was the last World Cup Final in the USA?
1994 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Brazil beat Italy on penalties. The 1999 Women's World Cup Final was also at the Rose Bowl.
How much do Final tickets cost?
Face value: $1,000–$4,000+ via FIFA.com. Secondary market prices vary widely depending on which teams qualify — past Finals have seen prices from $5,000 to $30,000+ on resale.