German players fund free transport for 600 fans to World Cup match amid high travel costs
Germany's national team players have organized and paid for free bus transport for 600 fans traveling to their World Cup group match against Ecuador on June 25 in New Jersey. Transport costs to the MetLife Stadium have been significantly inflated during the tournament, with train fares rising from $12.90 to $98 and shuttle buses from $80 to $20, prompting criticism from supporters. The gesture highlights a departure from previous World Cups in Russia and Qatar, where transport was provided free to fans.
German national team captain Joshua Kimmich and his teammates have arranged to cover the cost of buses transporting 600 supporters from New York to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for Germany's final Group E match against Ecuador on June 25. The move comes in response to sharply elevated transport costs at the tournament, with train fares normally priced at $12.90 between central New York and the stadium increased to $150 before being reduced to $98, and shuttle bus fares initially set at $80 before dropping to $20. New Jersey authorities attributed the price increases to heightened pressure on public transit systems, while the state governor noted that FIFA refused to subsidize transport expenditure. The German Football Association confirmed the players' initiative, stating they organized the free transport in light of the high costs. This contrasts with the 2018 World Cup host agreement, which originally committed the US to providing free fan transport similar to the tournaments in Russia and Qatar, though a 2023 amendment changed this to a cost-recovery model.
What different sources said
- Channel NewsAsiaCenter
German players to pay for 600 fans' stadium trip amid soaring transport costs
- BBC Top StoriesCenter
Germany players pay for fans to travel to game
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