New York City issues 8-date travel measures

New York City officials have laid out a match-day transportation plan for the eight 2026 FIFA World Cup games tied to the region, with the first date set for Saturday, June 13. The city said the measures are aimed at keeping Midtown Manhattan moving on days when large numbers of fans are expected to travel between Manhattan and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the plan on May 29, saying each of the eight local match days will carry temporary traffic controls, transit priority measures and warnings against non-essential driving. City transportation officials said travelers should expect congestion, route changes and street impacts on those dates. ### Which eight dates are affected? New York City listed eight match days: June 13, June 16, June 22, June 25, June 27, June 30, July 5 and July 19. The city said each of those dates corresponds to a World Cup match day in the New York-New Jersey host region. The final on July 19 is included in the list. NYC DOT said those days are being designated as Gridlock Alert Days, a label the agency uses for the busiest traffic periods of the year. (nyc.gov) The department said severe congestion is expected in Midtown Manhattan, with spillover effects in nearby areas. ### What will actually change in Manhattan on match days? The city said 42nd Street will be converted into a bus-only corridor from First Avenue to Twelfth Avenue on match days. (nyc.gov) Officials also said the two eastern-most lanes on Sixth Avenue from 42nd Street to 59th Street will be dedicated as bus-only lanes, while the existing bus lanes on Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street to 59th Street will be used as part of the match-day plan. NYNJ Stadium shuttle buses will provide non-stop express service for ticketholders between Manhattan and the stadium through the Lincoln Tunnel, according to the city. The pick-up and drop-off points listed by NYC DOT are the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Midtown North at Columbus Circle and Midtown East near Grand Central. ### Why is the city warning people not to drive? (nyc.gov) Mayor Mamdani said each match day will be declared a Gridlock Alert Day “to discourage non-essential driving.” NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said the city was urging New Yorkers to avoid driving into Manhattan and to use mass transit instead. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said the subway system had capacity to handle match-day demand. (nyc.gov) NYC DOT said it will monitor traffic and make real-time adjustments to traffic signals on the eight dates. The agency’s World Cup travel page tells travelers to walk, bike or take public transportation whenever possible and to avoid driving in Midtown. ### Are there other restrictions besides traffic controls? The city said it is working with local businesses to limit truck deliveries in Midtown Manhattan during and around matches. (nyc.gov) NYC DOT also said a special event construction embargo is in effect for the World Cup period, allowing only emergency work in affected areas. (nyc.gov) A separate city memorandum said World Cup events are expected to significantly affect travel patterns across New York City and the wider metropolitan area. That notice cited the same eight match dates in June and July. ### Where should travelers check before heading out? NYC DOT directs travelers to the city’s World Cup travel page for the latest match-day transportation details. (nyc.gov) The city said that page includes the Midtown transportation plan, truck delivery restrictions, public-awareness notices and links to related advisories. The first affected date is June 13, and the last is July 19, when the region hosts the final. (nyc.gov) City officials said updates will be posted through the World Cup period at nyc.gov/WorldCupReady. (nyc.gov)