NJ’s MetLife Stadium ranked amongst US’ worst FIFA World Cup venues

They’re not hanging this soccer “Jersey” within the rafters.

European soccer followers could be enamored with the sights of the host nation, however they doubtless gained’t listing MetLife amongst their favourite elements of the FIFA World Cup tour.

A latest research by ticketing consultants at Seatpick ranked the Garden State stadium the third worst WC venue when it got here to fan expertise, following shut behind NGR Stadium in Houston, Texas with SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California coming in first.

To decide which US WC stadiums had been the most effective and worst for followers, the net platform analyzed all 11 US host venues throughout seven price and “survivability” metrics. These included beer and water costs, resort charges to feels-like temperatures, charges of crime and even mosquito threat based mostly on Orkin’s listing of the Top 50 mosquito hotspots from April 2024 to March 2025.

These venues had been then given a remaining composite “fan experience” rating out of ten based mostly on their performances in every class.

“We looked at everything that actually determines whether a World Cup trip is enjoyable or miserable — not just ticket prices,” mentioned Gilad Zilberman, Co-Founder of SeatPick. “The range across these venues is extraordinary.”

Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium ranked the worst when it got here to having fun with the WC, clocking a fan expertise rating of simply 5.82 out of 10. They boasted the best mosquito threat rating — 10 — in addition to among the many highest match day bills, together with $14 for a pint of beer, $7 for water, and the third highest resort charges at $383 per evening. 

Clocking in second was NGL in Houston, TX, with an a-soccer-lyptic fan expertise rating of 5.96, recording the best violent crime charge (1,148 instances per 100,000) and probably the most excessive “feels-like” temperatures (117°F).

This was adopted in third by MetLife, which notably hosts the World Cup remaining on July 19. They logged an general rating of simply 6.32, based mostly on their excessive extortionate refreshment costs — together with $13 beer and $7 water — and resort charges that ranked the second most costly on the countdown at $593 per evening.

And soccer followers would possibly need to convey their insect repellent. MetLife scored a 9.6 out of 10 for skeeter threats — the second highest on the countdown.

Meanwhile, followers and gamers alike gave the 80,545-seat stadium’s discipline a purple card as properly. Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and France midfielder Adrien Rabiot dubbed the pitch hard, dry and slow — elements that made it troublesome to maneuver the ball.

One fan on X wrote, “MetLife aka NY NJ Stadium pitch looks like crap. Not surprising considering the stadium is considered amongst the worst in the NFL. Sad the final will be there.”

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts topped the fan expertise rankings, incomes an general rating of 8.08 because of boasting one of many most cost-effective beers ($8.58), low mosquito exercise (0.5), and different constructive elements.

Coming in second on this recognition match was Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri (8.03), whereas Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia positioned third (7.87).

The latter enviornment was the most secure of all of the WC venues, recording simply 450 violent crimes per 100,000 individuals — lower than half of Houston’s determine.

Here are the 11 US World Cup venues ranked so as of fan expertise

1. Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (8.08)
2. Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO (8.03)
3. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA (7.87)
4. Lumen Field, Seattle, WA (7.54)
5. Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA (7.48)
6. Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL (7.35)
7. AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX (7.07)
8. Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA (6.44)
9. MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (6.32)
10. NRG Stadium, Houston, TX (5.96)
11. SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA (5.82)