Jun13
World CupSaturday · in 3 days
Brazil vs Morocco — Group stage
6:00 PM ET
First World Cup match day. NYNJ Stadium (MetLife).
NYC DOT · 2026 Season
NYC Gridlock Alert Days
The dates when New York City expects the heaviest traffic of the year. In 2026, every FIFA World Cup match at NYNJ Stadium is designated an alert day. Drivers are advised to use mass transit, walking, or cycling.
8 alert days so farJun 13 – Jul 19, 2026
The full schedule
Filter by what's driving the congestion.
Jun16
World CupTuesday · in 6 days
France vs Senegal — Group stage
3:00 PM ET
NYNJ Stadium (MetLife).
Jun22
World CupMonday · in 12 days
Norway vs Senegal — Group stage
8:00 PM ET
NYNJ Stadium (MetLife).
Jun25
World CupThursday · in 15 days
Ecuador vs Germany — Group stage
4:00 PM ET
NYNJ Stadium (MetLife).
Jun27
World CupSaturday · in 17 days
Panama vs England — Group stage
5:00 PM ET
NYNJ Stadium (MetLife).
Jun30
World CupTuesday · in 20 days
Round of 32
5:00 PM ET
Knockout round at NYNJ Stadium (MetLife).
Jul5
World CupSunday · in 25 days
Round of 16
4:00 PM ET
Knockout round at NYNJ Stadium (MetLife).
Jul19
World CupSunday · in 39 days
FIFA World Cup Final
3:00 PM ET
The championship match at NYNJ Stadium (MetLife). Expect the heaviest traffic of the year region-wide.
Additional dates pending. NYC DOT releases the UN General Assembly (September) and holiday season (November–December) Gridlock Alert Days later in the year. They will be added here once announced.
What is a Gridlock Alert Day?
A Gridlock Alert Day is a date designated by the NYC Department of Transportation when traffic is forecast to be exceptionally heavy — usually around the United Nations General Assembly in September and the holiday season. In 2026, the city has also declared every FIFA World Cup match day at NYNJ Stadium an alert day, backed by a dedicated Midtown transportation plan.
It's not a law or a restriction — it's a heads-up. The city recommends leaving the car at home and using transit, walking, or biking instead.
If you do drive, plan for significant delays, particularly in and around Midtown Manhattan.
What drives the gridlock
World Cup
Match-day crowds and stadium shuttles concentrate traffic across Midtown toward the Lincoln Tunnel.
Impacted areas
- 42nd Street (First to Twelfth Ave)
- Fifth & Sixth Avenues (42nd–59th)
- Lincoln Tunnel approaches
- Port Authority & Columbus Circle
UN General Assembly
World leaders and motorcades lock down the East Side around the UN headquarters.
Impacted areas
- Midtown East / Turtle Bay
- First & Second Avenues
- 42nd–48th Streets near the UN
- Queens-Midtown Tunnel
Thanksgiving
Holiday travel and Macy's parade setup congest the West Side.
Impacted areas
- Upper West Side (parade route)
- Central Park West
- Sixth Avenue
- Midtown river crossings
Holiday Season
Shoppers, tourists, and tree-lighting crowds pack Midtown through December.
Impacted areas
- Fifth Avenue
- Rockefeller Center
- Herald Square / 34th Street
- Times Square
Getting around on alert days
Recommended alternatives to driving.
Take transit
Subways and buses bypass street traffic. On match days, official NYNJ Stadium shuttle buses run express from Port Authority, Columbus Circle, and Grand Central via the Lincoln Tunnel.
Walk or bike
For trips under roughly two miles, walking or a Citi Bike is often faster than driving and avoids rideshare surge pricing.
Avoid Midtown on match days
42nd Street operates as a bus and shuttle corridor, and lanes on Fifth and Sixth Avenues are dedicated to transit. Drivers should route around Midtown where possible.