NJ Transit Strike Could Disrupt Thousands Traveling to Major New York Sports Events

Rail commuters across New Jersey faced major disruptions Friday after NJ Transit engineers walked off the job in an overnight strike. The work stoppage, which began early Friday morning, is already impacting hundreds of thousands who depend on the state's rail system for their daily travels.

While ridership has declined since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—especially on Fridays—the timing of the strike could not be worse for sports fans and concertgoers. Two high-profile events are scheduled in New York City tonight, with many ticket holders relying on trains to reach their destinations.

The much-anticipated Subway Series between the New York Yankees and Mets kicks off tonight at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Traditionally, large numbers of New Jersey residents take NJ Transit into Penn Station before transferring to subway lines B, D, or 4, all of which stop at E 161st Street near the stadium. With Yankee Stadium’s capacity topping 52,000, tonight's cross-town rivalry is expected to draw crowds approaching a sellout. With train service halted, many will have little choice but to brave congested highways or carpool—some designating drivers for the night.

Driving into the Bronx remains a viable alternative, though attendees should anticipate heavy traffic and extended travel times.

On the other side of Manhattan, the commute to Madison Square Garden for Game 6 between the Knicks and Boston Celtics promises to be even more challenging. MSG, with a capacity of about one-third that of Yankee Stadium, sits directly above Penn Station. Navigating Midtown traffic on a Friday night can be notoriously difficult, and the absence of rail options is adding another layer of difficulty for basketball fans.

If the Knicks win, expect jubilant celebrations around Seventh Avenue, as seen after previous playoff victories.

Tonight’s game marks the final Knicks home appearance at MSG until at least next Wednesday, depending on the outcome of the series.

To make matters even more complicated, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is hosting a major concert featuring Shakira and Pitbull tonight. The stadium, which can hold up to 82,500 people and typically relies on a dedicated NJ Transit station, is another hotspot impacted by the strike.

New Jersey Transit serves nearly 270 million passengers annually, highlighting the scale of disruption caused by the ongoing labor dispute.

As union representatives and NJ Transit officials continue negotiations, commuters are being urged to seek alternative arrangements and plan for delays, especially as the weekend’s packed schedule gets underway. For now, the region braces for a night of gridlock, long rideshares, and creative rerouting as fans make their way to some of the city’s biggest events of the year.