Eight FIFA World Cup™ Matches to Be Played in the Garden State

The FIFA World Cup™, held every four years, always has a unique way of uniting people. From South Africa to Brazil to Qatar, over the last few decades, the FIFA World Cup™ has spanned far and wide with an audience that only grows. Fortunately, the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is reaching our shores, playing in 16 different stadiums across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

The first matches are set to kick off the 39-day event in Guadalajara and Mexico City, Mexico, with the final match culminating in East Rutherford. Overall, of the 16 cities selected, NJ will hold eight matches total starting on June 13, with a match between Brazil vz. Morocco. The rest of the matches hosted at MetLife Stadium will take place on June 16, 22, 25, 27, 30, July 5, and the final on July 19.

According to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, the tournament is expected to bring in 1.2 million visitors to NJ, creating an economic impact of $3.3 billion for the region. The growth opportunities during these weeks will be invaluable.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us to showcase all of the destination assets we have. I call it… ‘Where to Stay, Play, Eat & Shop!’ Many of those visitors will see us for the very first time, so from a tourism perspective, we have a great opportunity to bring them back,” said Jim Kirkos, Meadowlands Live Convention & Visitors Bureau Chief Executive Officer.

“The influx of visitors, along with even locals being motivated for a few nights out, creates business opportunities for local businesses,” said Kirkos. But not only that, the exposure of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ from those watching all around the world will have a ginormous impact. “They estimate that three billion people will watch the final from the East Rutherford Meadowlands, you just can’t buy that visibility! The tourism benefits will last for many years,” said Kirkos. FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee also predicts 26,118 jobs will be supported across New York and New Jersey.

WATCH PARTIES IN NJ

Leading up to the tournament, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority approved a $20 million allocation to support the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee. “From that amount, $5 million will be dedicated to fund Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s initiative to bring fan zones, watch parties, festivals, and street fairs throughout New Jersey,” according to the NJEDA press release. The goal, no pun intended, is for “New Jersey residents and small businesses to join in on the festivities and benefit from the economic impacts of the tournament,” said Gov. Sherrill to the NJEDA.

One pub in Bradley Beach is especially prepared for this year’s FIFA World Cup™.

D’Arcy’s Tavern, located on Main Street in Bradley Beach, is one of the best soccer bars in New Jersey according to firsttouchonline.com. With an indoor and outdoor area, soccer scarves lining the ceiling, and a match on almost every TV, this will be a hotspot for the upcoming tournament. D’Arcy’s Tavern owner, Tom McGill, is very passionate about the game better known as football, and the Jersey Shore pub is pulling out the stops for the tournament.

“We will be putting up a 60 by 60 tent in the parking lot for the entire tourney,” said McGill. To prepare for this opportunity, D’Arcy’s is doing giveaways, D’Arcy Football Club limited edition shirt sales, and a special country-specific menu for different countries in the tournament. McGill describes the crowd at D’Arcy’s like no other, “Soccer is tribal. You want to be with your people. That is why they are called supporters—through thick and thin.”

According to visitnj.com, the top bars in NJ to watch the game include:

North Jersey

• Varitage Brew Works in Bloomfield

• Mulligan’s in Hoboken

• Darby Road Public House and Restaurant in Scotch Plains

• Galapo New Jersey in Newark

• Don Felix Bar & Restaurant in Elizabeth

• BarCode Entertainment Complex in Elizabeth

• La Fusta in North Bergen

• Egan & Sons in Montclair

• Ed & Mary’s in Jersey City

Central Jersey

• Killarney’s Publick House in Hamilton Township

• D’Arcy’s Tavern in Bradley Beach

• Firkin Tavern in Ewing

South Jersey

• Reunion Hall in Haddon Township

• Jenkinson’s Pavilion Bar and Restaurant in Point Pleasant Beach

• The Local Eatery & Pub in Mount Holly

Additional watch parties hosted by “Goya Presents Flag Cities 2026” are being thrown all around North Jersey on the following dates:

June 12—Christopher Columbus Drive, Jersey City

June 14—Overpeck Park, Bergen County

June 21—Laurel Hill Park, Secaucus

June 24—Mulberry Plaza, Newark

June 26—East Rutherford and Rutherford Downtown

Expect FIFA World Cup™ game broadcasts, food trucks, beer gardens, soccer activities, and a vendor’s market.

HOW TO WATCH FROM HOME

Prefer to stay at home? Streaming or broadcasting the games on your TV, computer, or smartphone is a cost-effective option too. According to goal.com, “FOX Sports holds the Englishlanguage rights, while Telemundo covers Spanish-language broadcasts through 2026, ensuring all 104 matches are available across both networks.” If you have a cable television provider like Optimum, Verizon FIOS, Xfinity TV, or DIRECTV, all of the FIFA World Cup™ matches will be broadcast on FOX Sports. You’ll be able to watch every game live. To stream all 104 matches, you have several options. Services like Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV include channels such as FOX Sports. For a more budgetfriendly option, platforms like Fubo, Peacock, and Sling TV also offer access at a lower cost.