Getting To and From MetLife for the World Cup: A New Jersey Rideshare Safety Guide

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By Michael J. Epstein — Managing Partner, The Epstein Law Firm · Englewood Cliffs & Montclair, NJ Updated June 23, 2026

In short

With eight World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium running through the July 19 final, the Meadowlands will see some of the heaviest crowds in New Jersey sports history — about 78,000 fans per match. On match days, rideshare vehicles are not expected to drop off at the stadium itself; fans travel the final leg by NJ Transit rail and official shuttles. Here’s how to get there safely, use Uber or Lyft smartly, and know your rights if something goes wrong on the road.

What’s happening at MetLife

 

MetLife Stadium is hosting eight World Cup matches between June 13 and the final on July 19, 2026. As of this update, the remaining matches are June 25, June 27, June 30, July 5, and the Final on Sunday, July 19 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Transportation officials are planning to move more than 78,000 spectators per match, which means the roads and rails around the Meadowlands will be unusually busy on every match day.

How you’ll actually get to the stadium

The official plan leans hard on public transit. The regional host committee and NJ Transit have built the match-day system around dedicated NJ Transit rail service and official stadium shuttle buses, and they’re encouraging fans to treat transit as the primary way in and out.

One detail matters if you were planning to be dropped at the door: based on current host guidance, rideshare vehicles are not expected to drop passengers at the stadium itself on match days — riders are directed to public transportation and organized transport for the final stretch. The exact off-site pickup points and any road closures around the Meadowlands haven’t been published yet, so check the official match-day transportation guidance before you travel, and build in extra time.

Using Uber or Lyft on match days — what to expect

Rideshare will still be one of the ways people move around the region on match days; just plan for the realities of a packed event:

• Expect surge pricing and a wait, especially right after the final whistle when tens of thousands of people leave at once.
• Pickups will likely be at designated areas away from the stadium, not curbside at the gate. Know where your driver can actually meet you before you order.
• Confirm the car before you get in — match the license plate, make, model, and driver photo to the app. Ask the driver to say your name; don’t say it first.
• Ride in the back seat, share your trip status with someone, and keep the app open so your route is recorded.

If your Uber or Lyft is in a crash

A crowded, unfamiliar driving environment is exactly where collisions happen. If you’re in a rideshare crash on the way to or from a match, a few quick steps protect both your health and your claim:

1. Get medical attention first. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
2. Screenshot your ride details in the app — driver name, vehicle, trip route, and time — before they disappear from your history.
3. Photograph the scene, the vehicles, license plates, and any visible injuries.
4. Get the other drivers’ information and the names of any passengers or witnesses.
5. Report the crash through the Uber or Lyft app, which opens the company’s insurance process.
6. See a doctor even if you feel fine — some injuries surface a day or two later.
7. Know that more than one insurance policy may apply. Who pays depends on what the driver was doing in the app at the time — more on that below.

Your rights as a passenger in New Jersey

New Jersey law requires rideshare companies to carry up to $1.5 million in coverage while a trip is in progress, and your own no-fault (PIP) coverage may pay your initial medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. The full picture — which policy pays, the deadlines that apply, and when you can step outside no-fault to sue — is in our companion guide, Who Pays After a New Jersey Rideshare Accident?

Frequently asked questions

Can I take an Uber or Lyft to a World Cup match at MetLife? You can use rideshare to reach the area, but current host guidance indicates vehicles won’t drop off at the stadium itself on match days. Plan to finish the trip by NJ Transit rail or official shuttle, and expect to be picked up at a designated point away from the stadium afterward. Check the official match-day transportation guidance, which is being updated as the tournament continues.

What’s the best way to get to MetLife for the World Cup? The match-day plan is built around dedicated NJ Transit rail service and official stadium shuttles, designed to move more than 78,000 fans per match. Public transit is the recommended primary route.

When are the remaining World Cup matches at MetLife? June 25, June 27, June 30, July 5, and the Final on July 19, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

What should I do if my rideshare crashes on the way to the game? Get medical help, screenshot your ride details in the app, photograph the scene, report the crash through the app, and see a doctor. Keep your trip records — they show exactly what the driver was doing when the crash happened, which determines whose insurance applies.

Who pays if I’m hurt in an Uber on the way to MetLife? It depends on the driver’s status in the app at the moment of the crash. During an active trip, New Jersey requires up to $1.5 million in coverage. See Who Pays After a New Jersey Rideshare Accident? for the full breakdown.

Hurt in a rideshare crash?

If you were hurt in a rideshare crash during the World Cup or any other time in New Jersey, The Epstein Law Firm can help you understand which insurance applies and what your claim is worth. Call (201) 231-7847 for a free consultation — offices in Englewood Cliffs and Montclair.

About Michael J. Epstein

Michael J. Epstein, a Harvard Law School graduate, is a trial lawyer and managing partner of The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., a law firm based in New Jersey.

 

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice; reading it or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.