NY-NJ World Cup Festival Canceled for Decentralized Events

The New York and New Jersey World Cup host committee has canceled a planned fan festival at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, opting instead for a decentralized network of viewing events across the region ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The festival, known as FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ, was set to run from June 11 to July 19 at the park, which sits about 15 miles from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the site of the tournament's final match. It would have featured large video screens and activities tied to all 104 matches of the expanded 48-team competition, which begins on June 11. The event was announced in February 2025 by Tammy Murphy, then chair of the host committee and wife of former New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. Tickets, priced at $10 each, went on sale in December 2025, but the committee confirmed that buyers will receive full refunds.

In a statement released Friday, the host committee explained the shift as a way to enhance accessibility. "The New York-New Jersey Host Committee is working in close partnership with Gov. Mikie Sherrill's administration and other leaders across New Jersey to expand fan engagement opportunities throughout the state," a...