Last reviewed: June 2026
New York is the World Cup 2026 final city - MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey hosts the final on 19 July and England's match against Panama on 27 June. UK fans will find a city of unmatched scale and density of world-class attractions. This guide covers the best things to do in New York for UK World Cup fans.
Key facts
- MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey hosts the World Cup final (19 July) and England vs Panama (27 June).
- New York's subway is the fastest way around Manhattan - a MetroCard or OMNY contactless tap gives unlimited access.
- Central Park (free), the High Line (free), Brooklyn Bridge walk (free) and the Staten Island Ferry (free) are the best free experiences.
- The Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) is the most visited museum in the USA - pay-what-you-wish for out-of-state US visitors, fixed fee for international visitors.
- Broadway shows require advance booking during the summer World Cup period - check TKTS for same-day discount tickets.
- New York in late June is warm (25-30C) and sometimes humid - afternoon thunderstorms are possible.
Things to Do in New York for UK World Cup Fans
Things to do in New York for UK World Cup fans span an almost unlimited range - the city has more cultural institutions, neighbourhoods, restaurants and iconic landmarks than any UK visitor can cover in a short stay. MetLife Stadium across the Hudson River in New Jersey hosts both England vs Panama (27 June) and the World Cup final (19 July), making New York the tournament's marquee destination. UK fans based in Manhattan can explore one of the world's great cities while remaining accessible to the final venue by NJ Transit rail.
Central Park
Central Park covers 843 acres of the centre of Manhattan, running from 59th Street to 110th Street between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West. Entry is free. The park contains Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, the Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields (the John Lennon memorial), Sheep Meadow (a free lawned gathering space), the Central Park Zoo and Belvedere Castle with views across the Reservoir. The park is best explored on foot or by hire bike. Early mornings in Central Park before the crowds build are one of New York's genuinely special experiences.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue is the most comprehensive art museum in the United States, holding a permanent collection of over 1.5 million objects spanning 5,000 years of world culture. Entry for non-US visitors is USD 30 for adults. The museum occupies three buildings - the main Fifth Avenue building, the Cloisters (medieval art) in Upper Manhattan, and the Met Breuer. Allow a minimum of three to four hours. The collection's highlights include the Egyptian Temple of Dendur, the European paintings galleries, and the American decorative arts wing.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
MoMA in Midtown Manhattan holds the world's pre-eminent collection of modern and contemporary art, including Picasso's Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Van Gogh's The Starry Night and works by Warhol, Pollock and Rothko. Admission is USD 25 for adults. The museum is on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, a short walk from Times Square and Rockefeller Center.
The High Line
The High Line is a 1.45-mile elevated park built on a disused freight rail line on Manhattan's West Side, running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street near Hudson Yards. Entry is free. The park features art installations, gardens and views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. It connects the Meatpacking District, Chelsea and Hudson Yards neighbourhoods and is one of New York's most successful urban regeneration projects.
Brooklyn Bridge Walk
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn (or vice versa) is one of New York's great free experiences. The pedestrian and cycle path runs along the upper level of the bridge, with views of Manhattan's skyline, the East River and the harbour. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes one way. From the Brooklyn side, the DUMBO neighbourhood has photo opportunities for the classic bridge-and-Manhattan view and several independent restaurants and bars. Return by subway on the A or C train from High Street station.
Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry carries passengers across New York Harbor between Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St George Terminal on Staten Island. The ferry is free in both directions and runs 24 hours a day. The best views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline are from the ferry's outdoor deck. The 25-minute crossing is one of the best free experiences in New York and is a practical alternative to the paid Statue of Liberty tour for visitors wanting harbour views.
9/11 Memorial and Museum
The 9/11 Memorial Plaza in Lower Manhattan, on the footprint of the former World Trade Center towers, features two reflecting pools marking where the towers stood. The plaza is free to visit. The 9/11 Museum underground covers the events of 11 September 2001 in detail - admission is USD 33 for adults. One World Observatory at the top of One World Trade Center offers 360-degree views of New York from the 100th floor - tickets are USD 42 and can be booked at oneworldobservatory.com.
Getting Around New York
The New York City subway is the fastest and cheapest way to get around Manhattan and the outer boroughs. A single ride costs USD 2.90. OMNY contactless payment works on all subway turnstiles and buses - tap a UK contactless Visa or Mastercard directly without needing to buy a MetroCard. For MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, NJ Transit runs from Penn Station (34th Street) to the Meadowlands Secaucus junction then the stadium rail link - approximately 30 to 40 minutes total. NJ Transit match day tickets cost approximately USD 10 to 12 each way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free things to do in New York?
Central Park, the High Line, the Brooklyn Bridge walk, the Staten Island Ferry, the 9/11 Memorial Plaza and the exterior of Grand Central Terminal are all free. Walking Manhattan neighbourhoods (Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side, Williamsburg in Brooklyn) costs nothing and provides some of the city's most authentic experiences.
How do I get to MetLife Stadium from Manhattan?
NJ Transit from Penn Station (34th Street) to Secaucus Junction then the Meadowlands Rail Line to the stadium. Total journey approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Match day tickets cost approximately USD 10 to 12 each way. Services are timed for World Cup fixtures.
Is New York expensive for UK visitors?
Yes. New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world for accommodation and dining. Budget accommodation starts at approximately USD 150 to 200 per night in a basic hotel in Manhattan. However, many of the city's best experiences - parks, walks, the ferry, the Highline - are free, and the subway provides affordable transport across the whole city for USD 2.90 per ride.
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