New York and New Jersey’s integrated mobility program kept the region moving during the largest FIFA World Cup™ in history

“New York and New Jersey welcomed the world this summer and delivered what was likely the most complex transportation operation our region has ever undertaken,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee. “It took years of planning and extraordinary collaboration to make it happen, and Arup was an invaluable partner every step of the way. Their team was embedded alongside ours, helping deliver a transportation system that kept millions of fans moving throughout the tournament.”

The mobility plan combined expanded transit operations, integrated match-day command centers, and coordinated public communications to safely and seamlessly move more than 640,000 ticketed fans to and from matches, while also supporting travel to official watch parties and maintaining everyday transportation in the most densely populated region in the country. With no general spectator parking available at New York New Jersey Stadium, the plan established a comprehensive transportation strategy to move fans to every match using public transportation and other managed travel options. This included rail, bus, shuttle, rideshare, and park-and-ride services to get ticket holders to the stadium ahead of kickoff.

Project

FIFA World Cup 26 Host Cities

Serving on behalf of the Host Committee as the transportation planning team, Arup brought together over 21 transportation and security agencies across the two states to develop the regional mobility plan. Arup also employed a proven operational readiness methodology for major event planning and delivery to ensure operations were fit to deliver on the mobility plan and preserve the reliability of the transportation network.

“From the earliest stages of planning through the final match, Arup was proud to serve as an embedded member of the Host Committee team,” said Kaitlin Coari, Senior Host Cities Consultant at Arup and Transportation Director for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee. “This tournament demonstrated what is possible when the public and private sector unite around a shared vision. Together, we delivered one of the most complex mobility operations ever undertaken, creating a blueprint for how public-private partnerships can successfully deliver major events around the world.”

Over the course of two years, Arup facilitated over 1,000 workshops and planning sessions for stakeholders from NJ TRANSIT, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New Jersey Department of Transportation, New York City Department of Transportation, Amtrak, city and state governments, security agencies, and more to develop an integrated plan that aligned with FIFA requirements.

Early in the planning process, the team identified a shortfall in transportation capacity of around 10,000 spectators per match. To address this deficit, the Host Committee launched a dedicated shuttle service that got fans to the stadium from four different locations across New York and New Jersey. A Tournament Route Network was designed and enforced on match days to allow buses and shuttles to avoid traffic and make it to the match on time. The shuttle was a justified investment: it operated at 94% capacity on average across seven of the eight matches, carrying 20% of all ticket holders.

Official watch parties at Central Park, Sports Illustrated Stadium, and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center drew crowds that rivaled those attending matches, requiring extensive coordination across the region's transportation network. In partnership with the NYNJ Host Committee, MTA, PATH, and other regional stakeholders, Arup helped plan enhanced transit service to activation sites, including expanded PATH operations on match days, ensuring fans could travel seamlessly while maintaining reliable service for daily commuters.

Transportation Demand Management was a core component of the mobility plan, pairing operational strategies with proactive public communications to influence travel behavior and reduce congestion. Fans were encouraged to plan ahead, purchase transportation in advance, and use preferred travel modes through coordinated messaging before and during each match. On-site volunteers, intuitive wayfinding, and coordinated signage supported efficient pedestrian movement, while integrated match-day command centers enabled transportation agencies, public safety partners, and event operators to monitor conditions in real time and quickly respond to operational needs.

During the tournament, Arup team members were embedded within the NYNJ Host Committee and served in critical operational roles on every match day. They were deployed across bus depots, the stadium, and regional command centers alongside venue operators, transportation agencies, emergency management officials, and law enforcement, facilitating real-time decision-making, coordinating responses across partners, and helping ensure the seamless execution of transportation operations.

Ahead of the tournament, Arup coordinated readiness exercises and training sessions to validate operational plans and ensure all transportation and public safety partners were prepared for match-day operations. Those efforts paid off when a shuttle bus experienced a mechanical issue during one match. Thanks to established procedures and clear lines of communication, a partner agency quickly deployed a tow truck and replacement vehicle, returning passengers to their journey in under 20 minutes.

Led by the NYNJ Host Committee, with critical support from Arup and in partnership with regional stakeholders, the integrated mobility program safely and efficiently connected ticket holders to matches, fans to watch parties, commuters to work, and communities across New York and New Jersey throughout the largest FIFA World Cup™ in history.

The success of thorough planning and preparation seen in New York and New Jersey this summer can serve as the blueprint for how the region – and the nation – can deliver upcoming major events, like the Olympic and Paralympic Games.