New York is making a major play to get fans to the 2026 FIFA World Cup without breaking the bank. Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $6 million state-funded shuttle bus service that slashes round-trip fares from $80 to just $20—a game-changing move for soccer enthusiasts planning to attend matches.

"Getting to the World Cup should be as accessible as possible," Hochul posted on X, adding that 20% of match tickets will be reserved exclusively for New York residents. "Because New Yorkers are helping host the world. Game on!"

The plan utilizes yellow school buses to expand the fleet, with 18,000 seats available on non-school days and 12,000 on school days. Thousands of fans are expected to take advantage of this budget-friendly option as they gear up for the tournament.

This price cut follows New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill's announcement that NJ Transit train tickets will drop to $98, down from the original $150. Notably, Sherrill emphasized that the reduction comes "without New Jersey taxpayer money," crediting partners like DoorDash, Audible, FanDuel, DraftKings, PSE&G, South Jersey Industries, and American Water for making it happen.

The New York New Jersey Host Committee will update reduced fare ticket details on their website Wednesday morning. Fans who already purchased $80 bus tickets can expect a refund for the difference—a welcome relief for those who've already shelled out thousands for match tickets, with the cheapest currently listed at $2,300 on Ticketmaster.

As World Cup fever builds, these transportation savings offer a rare win for fans looking to stretch their budgets while cheering on their favorite teams. Whether you're gearing up in your team's jersey or stocking up on fan gear, getting to the stadium just got a whole lot easier on the wallet.