Reports: NJ Transit won’t alter World Cup plans for NBA Finals

Field Level Media|published: Wed 27th May, 21:12 2026

Apr 28, 2026; New York, New York, USA; General view of Madison Square Garden as fans wave their rally towels during the first quarter of game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

A confluence of sports fanatics in need of transportation is set to take place in New York in the coming days, but NJ Transit isn't planning to do any favors for the home fans.

NJ Transit officials informed multiple outlets Wednesday that when World Cup matches in New Jersey overlap with NBA Finals games in Manhattan, the transportation authority will maintain priority for World Cup fans ahead of New York Knicks' fans. during predetermined match times. That news comes in the wake of the hometown New York Knicks advancing into the NBA Finals and calling the matter into some question.

There are eight World Cup games scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., from June 13 to July 19. The NBA Finals, by contrast, begin June 3. The Knicks, who finished with a worse regular-season records than Western Conference finalists Oklahoma City and San Antonio, are set to host Game 3 and Game 4 on Monday, June 8, and Wednesday, June 10, at Madison Square Garden. If necessary, they'll also host Game 6 on Thursday, June 16.

The Knicks' prospective Game 6 would conflict with France's match against Senegal earlier in the day. Instead of attempting to juggle both groups of fans through Penn Station, people heading to and from MetLife Stadium will be prioritized, per NJ Transit.

For the four hours prior to kickoff and the three hours after the conclusion of all World Cup games, Penn Station will be limited to World Cup travelers.

Knicks fans commuting in from New Jersey will be required to switch to PATH trains as an alternative.

--Field Level Media