Masked conductor in a dark suit and bandana reaches into a burlap sack labeled 'nj fifa tax' as money spills out, while three surprised men in patriotic outfits hold cash nearby in a bus or train setting.

On behalf of the entire state of New Jersey, we would like to issue FIFA and World Cup soccer fans all over the world a heartfelt apology. We know what you’re thinking: “New Jersey? The Meadowlands? That place with the stadium next to the airport and the refinery?” Yes. That one. And we’re truly sorry.

When we first heard about Mikie Sherrill’s demand for $48 million for train fares to a few soccer game, it was one of the most New Jersey things that ever happened in New Jersey.

Let us explain.

As New Jerseyans, we are tough—like Russians who live in Siberia and nomads who live in the desert. We have been hardened and weathered by every trick in the book our governors and state government use to shake us down. Sky-high property taxes. Insane regulations. Fewer freedoms than just about anywhere else in America. They’re trying to take away our cars, our stoves, our garden tools, and even our toys. Heck, you can’t even buy a water pistol in this state anymore. We carry our groceries out of the store in our bare hands, and when we order takeout, they won’t even give us plastic forks or straws. We’re used to being abused and mistreated—and for some strange reason, we choose to stay.

But soccer fans from all over the world don’t have that choice. Our governor wants to shake you down worse than she shakes down her own citizens. And trust us when we say, she’s shaking us down like in the old cartoons where they shake a guy from his angles upside until the last coin drops on the ground.

Here’s what’s happening right now: round-trip NJ Transit train tickets from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium (rebranded for the tournament as “New York New Jersey Stadium”) will cost $150 during World Cup match days. That’s not a typo. The normal fare for that same 18-mile, 15-minute ride is $12.90. No senior discounts. No child discounts. One flat, eye-watering price for everyone. Officials say it’s necessary to cover the $48 million it will cost to move roughly 40,000 fans per game across eight matches.

Parking at the stadium itself is basically nonexistent—most of the lots are being turned into a fan village, shuttle staging areas, and FIFA staff parking. Your only real option is a few thousand reserved spots at the nearby American Dream mall for $225 to $300 per car, booked in advance through FIFA’s official parking platform. Shuttles from select spots will run $80 round-trip. Everything is non-transferable, non-refundable, and timed to the minute.

And yes, this is the same state that once proudly hosted Phil Murphy, the FIFA fanatic who set this whole thing up and famously declared, “If taxes and high costs are your number one problem, New Jersey isn’t the state for you.” Well, FIFA and fans… maybe New Jersey isn’t the state for you either.

Governor Mikie Sherrill is now locked in a very public battle with FIFA over these costs. She’s demanding the organization pony up the full $48 million for transit, pointing out that the agreement her predecessor signed left New Jersey Transit holding the bag while FIFA pockets billions. FIFA has fired back, saying it is “surprised” by the request and insisting everything was already negotiated. Sherrill is fighting for New Jersey taxpayers not to subsidize the tournament—but in classic Garden State fashion, the fight has still left fans staring down $150 train rides and $225 parking. It’s the ultimate New Jersey move: argue with the billion-dollar soccer cartel while still sticking it to the tourists.

Here’s a secret we’ll let you in on. The trains are horrible. We’re sure they will make sure the least smelly trains with the cleanest windows will show up for the cup (maybe), but what you will see is a show. It’s not the real New Jersey Transit experience of delays, broken down trains, clouded windows, and a funk that has been lingering since 1982 in every car.

We’re embarrassed. As New Jersey residents, we are truly embarrassed. We know we get abused daily, but we’re self-aware enough to realize it’s not right—and it’s definitely not fair to our guests.

The World Cup could have put New Jersey on the map in the best way. Instead, international travelers will get the scenic Meadowlands under the shadow of Newark Airport, with the occasional wafting stench of the Bayway refinery when the wind is right. Our governor sees FIFA and its fans primarily as a way to patch up our failing mass transit system, crumbling roads, and dire finances. It’s the New Jersey way: turn a global party into a revenue grab.

So, dear world: please forgive us. We’re sorry that our state only knows one way to treat visitors—like cheap tourists in Times Square, except Mikie Sherrill isn’t hiding in a fake Minnie Mouse costume. She’s just putting on a full Mickey Mouse show for the entire planet to see.

And we’re sorry that this should serve as a warning to any other professional sport, concert, or major event thinking about coming here: you don’t really want to host in New Jersey. This is how we treat you.

From the bottom of our over-taxed, over-regulated, plastic-straw-free hearts—enjoy the games. Just bring cash. Lots of it.

Sincerely,
The People of New Jersey
(We’ll be the ones stuck paying the regular $12.90 fare on the way home from work while you pay $150 to watch the final.)

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Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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