World Cup Access Restrictions Are Driving VIP Groups Away 

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a month away, corporate hospitality planners face a daunting problem: getting their clients to the stadium.

FIFA has banned general parking and tailgating at MetLife Stadium entirely for the tournament's eight New Jersey matches. Attendees must arrive by NJ Transit rail through Secaucus Junction, official shuttle buses, chartered coaches, or designated rideshare lots. 

The decision has effectively killed the traditional VIP model — chauffeured arrivals, private parking, stadium-adjacent receptions — and forced planners to rebuild the matchday experience from scratch.

"Although nothing has yet been confirmed, we are working with some partners to see how we can potentially provide VIP transportation to high-end clients, but at this stage, we cannot guarantee anything," said Karen Shackman, founder and president of The Shackman Group. "It's a work in progress."

That uncertainty, just weeks out from opening matches, is the defining story of corporate hospitality at this World Cup.

Access Problem

The transportation restrictions were compounded early on by pricing backlash. Train tickets initially launched at $150 per ride, shuttle buses at $80. After public outcry, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced reductions to $98 and $20, respectively.

For groups accustomed to seamless door-to-stadium logistics, the math is daunting. Harvey Rosenblatt, CEO of P3 Properties and owner of the World of Blue Hotel, directly across from MetLife Stadium, estimates that it will take upwards of three hours to get into the stadium from New York City. 

Rosenblatt bought the 423-room property three months ago and is finishing up a $100 million renovation. He said he has negotiated an agreement with the FIFA host committee to accommodate 100 of its VIPs and, in exchange, secured shuttle access to the stadium, which he says very few operators have. 

The Decentralized Hospitality Model

With stadium-adjacent experiences largely off the table, planners are pivoting to what's being called a decentralized hospitality model. Activations and client entertainment are being spread across Manhattan, Jersey City, and the Meadowlands.

The biggest infrastructure winner may be American Dream, the 3-million-square-foot retail and entertainment complex connected to MetLife Stadium by pedestrian bridges. The mall is hosting a 39-day fan festival running June 11–July 19, anchored by watch parties, concerts, and brand activations. For corporate groups, it offers private event space, sponsorship opportunities, and practical drop-off and pick-up logistics that the stadium itself cannot.

"We continue to have conversations with key stakeholders regarding our role in transportation," said Gregg Schwartz, PR director at American Dream. 

Several New York City hotels are also marketing World Cup packages that bundle accommodations with organized transit to the stadium, effectively repositioning themselves as event headquarters rather than just room inventory.

A Broader Headwind

Transportation logistics aren't the only challenge complicating group planning. More than 120 organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, NAACP, and the National Lawyers Guild, have signed a travel advisory urging World Cup visitors to exercise caution when entering the U.S. They cite what they describe as serious risks, particularly for immigrants, minority groups, and LGBTQ travelers, amid the current federal immigration enforcement environment. 

For international clients and multinational companies building group programs, that advisory adds another layer of complexity to an already difficult planning cycle.