World Cup host city to offer free train travel to fans after New Jersey transport row

Philadelphia, which will host group stage matches featuring Brazil and France, alongside a last-16 fixture on American Independence Day, July 4, presents a welcome alternative.

Josh Shapiro, the Governor of Pennsylvania, stated: "I’m glad Airbnb is stepping up to provide free rides for fans so they can get home safely and affordably. I invite everyone to come see for yourself why Pennsylvania is truly the Great American Getaway."

Other host cities are also implementing fan-friendly pricing.

Kansas City, where England’s training camp will be based, plans free bus travel from the airport to the city centre fan festival. It will also offer daily, weekly, and tournament passes for unlimited regional travel at $5, $25, and $50 respectively. A Stadium Direct service will connect four park-and-ride locations and the fan festival to Arrowhead Stadium for $15 per person.

Dallas organisers have confirmed that spectators travelling to the AT&T Stadium – where England will play their opener against Croatia on June 17 – from downtown Dallas will pay just $6 return to the Centreport station, with complimentary buses completing the journey. Return fares from Fort Worth to Centreport will be even cheaper, at just $4.

New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill had previously asserted that "Fifa should pay" for transport, a day before NJ Transit announced the $150 return fare.

The original hosting agreements for cities had mandated free transport for fans, though this wording was later amended to allow provision "at cost".

Fifa’s criticism of New Jersey’s pricing follows its own controversy over match ticket costs and the adoption of a dynamic pricing strategy.