NYC traffic gridlock as World Cup fans overwhelm transit system

Midtown Manhattan streets and Penn Station were effectively shut down on Saturday to prioritize shuttle buses transporting an estimated 1.2 million World Cup supporters to MetLife Stadium for the Brazil‑Morocco match. The city restricted Penn Station to ticket‑holding fans, redirected regular commuters to alternative services, and created a “frozen zone” around Madison Square Garden amid overlapping events, including an NBA Finals watch party and a concert.

Visitors described the experience as chaotic. “It’s chaotic,” said fan Tim Bouman, wearing a Brazil jersey. Commuters such as Jennifer Charles complained that officials failed to warn the public, noting, “People in power really need to be more on top of things.” Transit fares surged, with round‑trip tickets to the stadium jumping to $98 from the usual $12, prompting many to resort to costly rideshare options.