The 2026 World Cup kicks off Thursday, June 11, and for the thousands of fans heading to matches at MetLife Stadium, there's a piece of logistics that catches many off guard. The sportsbook app that works at your hotel in Manhattan may stop working the moment you arrive at the stadium in New Jersey, and vice versa.
That's because MetLife Stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while many fans will base themselves in New York City. Sports betting in the US is regulated state by state and the apps know which side of the Hudson you're on. Some of the most popular sports betting sites in the country are live in New Jersey but not available in New York at all.
If you plan to bet on any 2026 World Cup match, the single most useful thing you can do is get your accounts set up early. Verification and first deposits can take time and you don't want to be stuck verifying your identity at MetLife when the opening whistle blows.
New York Sportsbooks vs. New Jersey Sportsbooks
Here's the side-by-side comparison of soccer betting sites available in each state, including prediction market apps that operate under different rules:
| Platform | New York | New Jersey |
|---|---|---|
| Fanatics Sportsbook | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| BetMGM | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| DraftKings | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| FanDuel | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| bet365 | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| Hard Rock Bet | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| Caesars Sportsbook | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| betPARX | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| theScore Bet | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| Polymarket (prediction market) | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Novig (sweepstakes) | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
| Kalshi (prediction market) | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
Sports betting in the US is regulated at the state level, which means operators must be separately licensed in each state. Apps use real-time geolocation to determine where betting is allowed. Crossing state lines such as the short trip from NYC to New Jersey can instantly change which apps function.
Key takeaway: What works in New York may not work in New Jersey, even minutes apart.
Sportsbooks Available in NY vs. NJ
Available in BOTH New York and New Jersey
These five are the safest bets for fans moving between states since they'll function on either side of the river:
- Fanatics Sportsbook – 10 x 100% Profit Boost Tokens Instantly (NY), Bet $20, Get $350 in Bonus Bets (NJ), Get up to $1,000 Matched in FanCash (NY, NJ)
- BetMGM – Bet $10, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win (NJ), Sign Up at BetMGM with Exclusive Code (NY), $50 in BetMGM Rewards + $1,500 First Bet Offer (NJ)
- DraftKings – Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly
- FanDuel – Bet $5 for 7 Days, Get $350 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed
- Caesars Sportsbook – Bet $1+, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers
Available in New Jersey ONLY
These three do not operate in New York at all. They only work once you're physically in New Jersey, which makes them especially relevant for MetLife matchdays:
- bet365 – Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets + 50 Casino Spins
- Hard Rock Bet – Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your First Bet Wins
- betPARX – Bet $25, Get Mystery Bonus Bet up to $1,000 + 3 x 100% Profit Boosts on Soccer
- theScore Bet – Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets If You Win
New Jersey currently offers more sportsbook options than New York. Since MetLife Stadium is physically in New Jersey, it's worth comparing both states' offers and signing up early so every account is verified and funded by kickoff.
Why Can't I Use Sportsbook Apps in Both NY and NJ?
Sports betting apps rely on GPS and location services to verify that you're physically inside a state where that operator is licensed. Since sports betting legality and operators change from state to state, the moment you cross from New York City into New Jersey — or back — your app checks your location and adjusts. An app that was live a few minutes ago may show markets as unavailable. This includes promotions and odds that are state-specific.
Prediction market apps and DFS platforms are also state-specific. Kalshi and Polymarket operate as prediction markets rather than state-licensed sportsbooks and are both available in New York and New Jersey. A World Cup position traded on either platform is live across state lines, unlike a sportsbook app that may switch off when you cross into a different state.
Important Note for World Cup International Visitors
If you're traveling to the US from abroad for the World Cup, it's important to note that legal location doesn't always equal sports betting eligibility. US sportsbooks require strict identity verification including many requiring a Social Security Number or ITIN plus a US residential address to register. An international sportsbook account, such as a UK bet365 login, cannot be used in the US even though the brand is the same.
Many international visitors will be unable to register for a US sportsbook even while physically standing inside New York or New Jersey. One option for international visitors will be the retail FanDuel Sportsbook, located inside the Meadowlands Racetrack. This is about half a mile away from MetLife Stadium, within the same Meadowlands Sports Complex. You will be able to place bets with a cashier in-person and cash out any wins after the settlement with cashiers.
Another move is to follow expert analysis rather than chase an online sportsbook account you may not be able to open.
Tap the link below to register for an Action Pro subscription. This gives you access to our expert 2026 World Cup soccer picks and previews, so you can follow every match with sharp analysis regardless of sports betting eligibility.
2026 World Cup Matches: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
MetLife Stadium hosts a full slate of soccer matches this summer, including the final:
- June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco (6 p.m. ET on FOX)
- June 16: France vs. Senegal (3 p.m. ET on FOX)
- June 22: Norway vs. Senegal (8 p.m. ET on FOX)
- June 25: Ecuador vs. Germany (4 p.m. ET on FOX)
- June 27: Panama vs. England (5 p.m. ET on FOX)
- June 30: Round of 32
- July 5: Round of 16
- July 19: Final
Many fans will stay in New York City but travel into New Jersey for these matches. Sports betting apps behave differently depending on where you are at kickoff and the surge of international fan traffic means a lot of people crossing state lines without realizing their app access changes with them.
What World Cup Fans Should Know Before Traveling to MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium is physically located in New Jersey. Fans traveling from NYC will cross state lines to get there and sportsbook availability may change automatically before or during matches. If you intend to bet on a match at MetLife, make sure you have a New Jersey-eligible account ready. A New York-only setup won't help you once you're in the stadium.
Tips for World Cup Betting
Treat account setup as part of your matchday checklist:
- Set up your sportsbook accounts early: Verification and first deposits can take time to clear, so get every account ready well before kickoff.
- Enable location services on all sports betting apps so geolocation works correctly at the stadium.
- Check which sportsbooks operate in your state before kickoff, and have at least one New Jersey-eligible book ready for MetLife matches.
- Expect app availability to change as you move between NYC and New Jersey.
- International visitors: Confirm whether you can register at all before counting on a sportsbook account. If you can't, an Action Pro subscription gives you expert World Cup picks regardless which you can use towards retail betting in-person at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Signing up early is the simplest way to secure current World Cup betting promos and avoid verification or payment delays before kickoff.
NJ vs. NY Sportsbooks: Bottom Line
Both New York and New Jersey offer legal online sports betting, but access depends entirely on which state you're physically in. New Jersey offers more options than New York which is good news for fans going to MetLife Stadium.
For fans betting in either state, the top three to have ready are:
Fanatics Sportsbook
DraftKings
FanDuel
For MetLife matchdays specifically, the three New Jersey-only books worth signing up for in advance are:
bet365
Hard Rock Bet
betPARX Sportsbook
bet365, Hard Rock Bet, and betPARX Sportsbook are available in New Jersey but not New York. With MetLife Stadium sitting in East Rutherford, that's the single biggest driver of the cross-state betting differences fans will encounter. International visitors should be aware that identity verification requirements may prevent registration entirely. The smartest approach for every fan: register early, line up at least one New Jersey-eligible account before you travel, and get your accounts verified well before the opening whistle.
