Thousands of soccer fans faced significant delays leaving MetLife Stadium following Saturday’s World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco, highlighting ongoing concerns about transit planning for the event. The issues emerged amid a coordinated effort by New Jersey state and local officials to limit automobile access to the venue.

Governor Mikie Sherrill and local officials implemented a decision to close the stadium’s extensive parking lots, a move intended to encourage the use of public transportation. However, critics argue this approach failed to account for the reality of fan behavior and the region’s transportation infrastructure. MetLife Stadium routinely hosts major events—including NFL games and large concerts—where a substantial majority of attendees typically arrive by car. Estimates indicate that 60 to 70 percent of visitors generally rely on personal vehicles, supporting the need for ample parking facilities.

While trains and buses operated during the match without major reported mechanical issues, the attendance numbers suggest that relatively few fans chose public transit for this event. Many opted instead to use rideshare services or paid parking options away from the stadium, such as those at the nearby American Dream mall. The limited availability of parking—restricted to approximately 3,500 spaces—exacerbated the situation, especially as about 80,000 attendees are expected for Tuesday’s upcoming game. Yet, as of Monday, only 24,000 tickets for train or bus transit had been sold, raising concerns about crowd management as kickoff approaches at 3 p.m., with the match ending during the evening rush hour.

The challenges confronted plans for transit operations during the World Cup, which rely on a mix of transportation modes to move large crowds efficiently. Local planners faced criticism for attempting to significantly reduce car access instead of employing a balanced combination of private vehicles, buses, and trains, which have traditionally supported large-scale events at MetLife Stadium. The delay and congestion underscore the difficulties involved in coordinating mass transit for high-profile international sports tournaments, especially at venues located in suburban settings where personal vehicles remain a primary mode of transportation.