Sports Illustrated Stadium to host World Cup fan hub

The basics:

• NYNJ Host Committee launching official New Jersey World Cup fan hub in Harrison
• Sports Illustrated Stadium to feature match screenings, concerts, fan experiences
• Plans include 60-foot screen, ‘Hype House’ zone, major brand activations
• Tickets expected to start at $10, with free entry for children 12 and under

A major World Cup fan hub is coming to Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee announced the NYNJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub April 8. The premier fan destination will serve as the host committee’s official New Jersey fan experience during the tournament.

The stadium — home to Red Bull New York — will be activated on select dates throughout the World Cup. The hub will feature live match viewings, immersive fan experiences, cultural programming, concerts and community-driven events. It is designed to bring the energy of the tournament to fans across the region while extending the experience beyond match venues.

Taking advantage of a ‘central destination’

NYNJ Host Committee Board Chair Tammy Murphy emphasized the importance of local engagement. She said it is critical that New Jersey communities are at the center of the experience as the state prepares to welcome the world to this generational event.

“The Jersey Fan Hub will create an accessible and exciting space for residents and visitors alike to come together, celebrate the global game, and experience the pride, diversity, and spirit that define our region,” Murphy said.

NYNJ Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry said the hub is designed to create places where fans can collectively experience the energy of the World Cup beyond the stadium. “This venue is already a central destination for sports and live entertainment in the region, making it a natural fit for the kind of dynamic, community-driven experience we’re building.

This venue is already a central destination for sports and live entertainment in the region, making it a natural fit for the kind of dynamic, community-driven experience we’re building.
— Alex Lasry, CEO, NYNJ Host Committee

“The Jersey Fan Hub will bring that energy to life—connecting fans through the game in a way that’s accessible, authentic, and distinctly New York and New Jersey,” he said.

Key features of the NYNJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub include:

• Stadium-floor match viewings with a 60-foot screen on the pitch
• “Hype House” fan zone with 20 large screens, a 360-degree bar and performance stage
• Live music, celebrity appearances and cultural programming
• Brand activations from regional partners, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Hackensack Meridian Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and PSEG
• Additional concerts and entertainment programming throughout the tournament

The Host Committee said it will announce the official programming schedule and ticketing details for the Jersey Fan Hub in the coming weeks. Tickets are expected to start at $10, with free entry for children ages 12 and under.

Getting in the game

The announcement marks the latest in a growing wave of World Cup-related programming across New Jersey as the region prepares to host the global event. And the state is quickly ramping up as a central hub for both on- and off-the-pitch activity.

At Sports Illustrated Stadium itself, a broader lineup is also taking shape. The venue will host a World Cup-timed concert series – featuring Kygo – along with other fan-focused activations. Those festivities include live match screenings, immersive experiences and hospitality offerings throughout the tournament window.

The momentum also includes region-wide initiatives aimed at driving economic impact. The Host Committee recently unveiled the “Welcome World Rewards Program,” launching May 25. The free platform will encourage fans to visit local businesses through digital check-ins. It will off points, prizes and even opportunities to win tickets to matches at MetLife Stadium.

Elsewhere, American Dream has unveiled its 39-day Dream Fan Fest in East Rutherford. The festival will feature daily viewing parties, concerts and activations. Additionally, it will offer marquee moments such as the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola. The complex will also host “La Plaza de Fútbol.” The monthlong marketplace will spotlight up to 1,000 small businesses.

And it is expanding its soccer footprint with new attractions like The Messi Experience.

Meanwhile, the Goya-backed and Meadowlands Chamber-spearheaded “Flag Cities” initiative will bring a series of fan festivals to communities including Newark, Jersey City, Secaucus and Bergen County. Flag Cities will extend the tournament’s reach into neighborhoods across North Jersey with live broadcasts, cultural programming and community events.

All of it builds toward the eight matches set for MetLife Stadium — including the World Cup Final July 19.