MetLife Stadium: A 'blah' venue or worthy World Cup final host?

As the World Cup final approaches, this tournament will long be remembered for its drama and classic matches. But for fans attending games, the experience inside the venues has been equally important. They have stepped into football history at Mexico's Azteca Stadium, admired the luxurious design of SoFi Stadium outside Los Angeles, and enjoyed the state-of-the-art retractable roof and climate control of AT&T Stadium outside Dallas. However, one venue has drawn sustained scrutiny—and it happens to be hosting the final: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Criticism of MetLife Stadium

Since its opening in 2010, MetLife Stadium has faced a poor reputation among locals. "For lack of a better word, the technical term for MetLife Stadium is 'blah'," says Steve Politi, a longtime New Jersey sports columnist. One of his readers compared its appearance to a giant prison toilet; another likened it to a big air conditioner. The stadium is home to two NFL franchises, the New York Giants and the New York Jets, and Politi explains that by design, it had to accommodate many different stakeholders. The result, he says, is a soulless, large building that, for many fans, does not justify its $1.6 billion price tag.

The stadium features a modern metallic louvered exterior with programmable lighting that can glow in any color. It is one of the largest NFL venues, with an open-air bowl seating 82,500 spectators and 200 luxury suites across four levels. It has hosted events ranging from a Super Bowl and WrestleMania to concerts by Paul McCartney and Beyoncé. The multipurpose venue sits five miles west of Manhattan on a former swamp, surrounded by highways in the 750-acre Meadowlands Sports Complex.

Transportation and Fan Experience

The area is difficult to navigate without a car, and traffic congestion is common. Fans using rideshares had to navigate winding lanes and closed roadways to reach the correct drop-off zone. Those who took shuttles or the train—about 20,000 people—had an easier experience, though they faced high prices ($98 for NJ Transit tickets) and long waits to board. Most were pleased with the efficient commute itself. "There was a little bit of a delay to get in, but it was OK," says Jason Bentham, a 56-year-old fan from Manchester, England. His main complaint was the high cost of beer inside the stadium.

Bentham also visited Atlanta, which he preferred because of its air-conditioned stadium. "The stadium [in Atlanta] was amazing," he says. "It was scorching hot when I was outside so when we got inside it had the roof on and it was all air conditioned, unbelievable stadium... and the beers were not as expensive." Still, his favorite city overall was New York, where he watched darts at Madison Square Garden and enjoyed the city's atmosphere and bars.

FIFA's Perspective

For FIFA, the appeal of MetLife Stadium lies in its access to the largest media market. "What FIFA was looking for was having the biggest stars on the biggest stage. And New York, New Jersey is the capital of the world, right? It's the media capital, the entertainment capital, and the economic capital of the world," says Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee. Despite the criticism, the venue's location in the New York metropolitan area makes it a strategic choice for the final between Spain and Argentina.