The NY/NJ FIFA World Cup Host Committee has chosen New Jersey’s Liberty State Park as the official site for the FIFA “Fan Fest” in the region, offering views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor.
The Fan Fest, announced on June 11 to mark the one-year countdown to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the US, will accommodate up to 45,000 attendees and remain open for all 39 days of the event.
The location will broadcast all 104 World Cup matches, including all eight games at MetLife Stadium.
The Host Committee has teamed up with Live Nation New York to organize live events and entertainment, especially on days without scheduled matches during the tournament’s knockout stages.
The festival will provide numerous food options and soccer activities, with over 20 giant screens across the area to showcase every game of the tournament.
Additional smaller sites will be announced soon, with several in New York City, including one expected to be in Central Park.
At the launch event, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy expressed that the Liberty State Park Fan Festival will be “extraordinary” for the World Cup, drawing soccer fans from both sides of the Hudson.
“Ninety-six matches will not be at MetLife Stadium. And where are people going to go to watch them? A lot of them are going to come right here,” Murphy said at the site.
Murphy remarked that the MLS originated from the 1994 World Cup in the US, and the upcoming World Cup is expected to significantly impact soccer in the country. With MetLife Stadium set to host the final, Murphy anticipates substantial benefits for regions on both sides of the Hudson.
Ross Levi, executive director of New York State Tourism, anticipates over one million visitors to the NY/NJ region during the 39-day tournament, noting that many fans will stay in New York City, providing an opportunity to showcase its offerings.
“We also hope that travelers from across the world can make an amazing vacation out of their World Cup visit, whether they’re coming here for an early match or waiting for their team to return to the later rounds,” Levi stated.
Officials predict the tournament will generate between $2.14 billion and $3.45 billion in economic impact for the region, with over $1 billion expected from tourism.
Murphy dismissed concerns that ICE raids would deter international tourists from visiting the US for the World Cup, highlighting collaboration with FIFA and the Trump Administration to ensure a welcoming event.
Alex Lasry, Host Committee CEO, expressed confidence that international tourists will attend, asserting that “big sporting events transcend geopolitics.”
He assured that the Host Committee is dedicated to ensuring international tourists have an “incredible time” at the tournament and the Fan Festival.
A report from earlier this year indicated a 12% decline in year-on-year tourism to the US by March 2025. The World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts a $12.5 billion loss in US spending in 2025.
Lasry remains confident international fans will travel from Midtown Manhattan to the Fan Festival at Liberty State Park. He emphasized that the Fan Fest is well-positioned for tourists staying in New Jersey or nearby areas during the World Cup.
Currently, the trip from Manhattan takes at least 90 minutes via the PATH and Hoboken Bergen Light Rail System. The closest public transit station requires a 36-minute walk, partly along a narrow dirt track.
Lasry announced that the Host Committee will provide additional buses for the event and increase ride-share options at the site.
“Transportation planning is actively underway, including mobility, wayfinding, and access scenarios for high-traffic times and evening matches,” Lasry said. “We’re exploring options like shuttle services, assessing walkability from nearby Light Rail stops, and coordinating with transit agencies on extended service. Updates will be shared as plans are finalized.”
The Host Committee has not yet decided if entry to the Fan Fest will be free, but Lasry expressed the intention to make the event accessible to everyone.
“Final entry details will be shared closer to the event. We are committed to making the event inclusive and accessible, with the goal of encouraging broad community participation,” Lasry added.
Additionally, the Skyline to Shoreline Road Tour—a mobile fan experience—launched on Wednesday, traveling across New York and New Jersey this summer, featuring soccer zones, music, giveaways, and community storytelling at festivals, parks, and events through Labor Day 2025.
Iconic structures in New York City were illuminated in “liberty green” on Wednesday night to commemorate the one-year countdown to the World Cup.
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