MetLife Stadium is one of the largest and most impressive stadiums I’ve been to in the U.S. It’s massive and really modern, perfect for sporting and entertainment events. It is currently home to the New York Giants and the New York Jets of the NFL, and it is already confirmed to host the FIFA 2026 World Cup Final on July 19th, 2026, which will be an epic event. If you are planning to go to the World Cup, here’s everything you should take into account to have the best experience.
How to get there?
MetLife Stadium it’s located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a short trip from New York City. There’s many ways to get to the stadium, by bus, by train and by car, so these are my recommendations.
- By public transportation
If you are going from Manhattan, the best way to get to the stadium is to take one of the NJ Transit buses or trains, and then transfer to special Meadowlands-bound trains. There’s also a special line called Meadowlands Rail Line, that runs only for special events, and goes from New York Penn Station to Secaucus Junction Station, which sits around 3 miles from the stadium. For more information you can get to the site of NJ Transit and go to ‘Plan Your Trip’ where you can see your exact route.
- By Car
MetLife Stadium is easily accessible by car and has its own parking lot with prices around $40 per car. It will typically open 5 hours prior to the start of an event and close 2 hours after the conclusion. Check the official page for more information! Take into account that during big events there’s some high traffic, so look up your route in Google Maps or Waze with anticipation.
- Airports
The nearest airports to the MetLife Stadium are:
Newark Airport (EWR) at 24 miles from MetLife Stadium
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) at 31 miles
New York JFK Airport (JFK) at 49.5 miles
Where to eat?
Inside the stadium
MetLife Stadium offers some of the best food options among stadiums across the U.S. You’ll find plenty of classic stands serving pizza, hotdogs and sandwiches, along with some special spots offering more complete meals like pasta or specialty sandwiches. The stands are located in the main concourse so they are pretty easy to find and you won’t have to walk far to grab something tasty. Keep in mind that it’s better to get your food before the game starts because lines get really long during halftime and right after the match.
Here are my top 5 stands picks: Pasta at “Nonna Fusco’s”, hotdogs at “Garden State Rippers”, sandwiches at “Against the Grain”, burgers at “Pattys Burger” and wings at “WingMan NYC”. Check out this video to see the best dish at each stand!
Near the stadium
- American Dream Mall: This huge and modern mall sits right next to the Stadium and has some of the best places to get some food before or after events:
- House of ‘Que: If you want to get typical American food and a good authentic Austin-style barbecue at good prices, this is your place.
- Jarana Restaurant: Peruvian cuisine and culture and pisco bar, in a casual and authentic spot.
- Redds: An American restaurant and casual bar where you can get some local craft bier and long communal tables to meet new people before the match. At only 0.5 miles from the Stadium.
- Rockafella’s Sports Bar & Grill: Awesome sports bar at only 0.8 miles of the stadium, with good American food and huge portions.
- Annabella’s House of Mozzarella: An Italian restaurant where you can get breakfast, lunch, dinner, at around 1.6 miles of MetLife Stadium. Best place for good prices and good pasta.
Pubs and bars
- Yard House: Inside American Dream Mall you can find this modern gathering place with local draft beer, some great food such as street tacos or burgers, and TV screens to watch some games.
- Blarney Station: This Irish Pub has great drinks, some food and is a relaxed but fun place to get some drinks before or after the matches.
- The New Park Tavern: This last option is a modern and local bar and restaurant, for lunch, dinner, or something in-between, with amazing pizza and other tasty dishes.
The Wall at Cliffs of Id
Burn some pre-game energy with indoor climbing fun in a kid-friendly environment.
California Science Center
Hands-on exhibits, space shuttle Endeavour, and science adventures – just across from the stadium.
Fan zones
New York New Jersey will be home of the FIFA World Cup 26th Final and will celebrate their own venue. This will be in Liberty State Park, in Jersey City, NJ, from June 11 to July 19 of 2026. An event that offers live match broadcast, concerts and cultural showcases and diverse and local food vendors. For more information check the official page which is very interactive and full of useful and entertaining content.
