Getting to the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium has been a hot topic for months, and one fan has shown that the walk from New York City is possible, but not practical.
The decisive game will not be in Manhattan, but across the river in New Jersey, and plenty of Americans have been quick to point out the distance involved. The idea of simply walking from the city has been dismissed by many, especially given the route cuts through miles of roads not exactly designed for football crowds.
But Craig Ferguson decided to put the theory to the test. And while it turns out the walk is possible, it is not something fans should be planning on matchday.
Craig Ferguson walks from World Cup final stadium to Central Park
Ferguson — already known for walking from Los Angeles to Boston to raise awareness for men’s mental health ahead of Scotland’s World Cup campaign — took on the trek from New York City to MetLife Stadium as well.
In a post shared on Instagram, he showed what the 14-mile journey actually looks like. While he did make it, the route was far from a pleasant pre-match stroll, with stretches along busy roads and little in the way of pedestrian protection.
This is not like walking to Wembley, or most major European stadiums where crowds build around pubs, stations and fan zones.
Ferguson proved the walk is possible, but doing so on gameday will come at a hefty cost.
Why fans still cannot walk to MetLife Stadium on gameday
Even if you are up for the challenge, walking to MetLife Stadium will not be allowed on matchday. According to Football Ground Guide, New Jersey state law prohibits pedestrians from walking along the highways and roads surrounding the stadium.
MetLife is surrounded by highways and car parks, with rules in place to keep pedestrians off those roads.
Walking to the ground is a big part of tournament culture for many, but MetLife simply is not set up for it. The distance from New York is one thing, but the lack of safe, legal pedestrian access is the bigger problem.
Ferguson has shown the walk can be done in normal conditions, but World Cup days will be a different story. Fans will need to rely on cars, buses or trains instead.
Add it to the bill…
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