CONNECTING SOUTH JERSEY: Transportation Investment Unlocks New Economic Pathways
By Dave Hoffman
Soccer fans from around the world will be flocking to the United States, Mexico and Canada for the FIFA
World Cup ™ in 2026. It will take place from June 11 to July 19 and will be jointly hosted by 16
cities in the three North American countries. This will be the first time that the exciting soccer
championship will be jointly hosted by three nations, and it will also be the largest tournament since
the rules were changed to allow 48 teams to compete (up from 32) in 104 matches (up from 64).
Within the United States there are 11 host cities, including New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia, both
of which are close to South Jersey. In fact, the final match will be played in MetLife Stadium in East
Rutherford, NJ. To comply with FIFA rules on stadium sponsorships, the names of many stadiums, including
those in New Jersey, will be temporarily changed. MetLife Stadium will be referred to as New York/New
Jersey Stadium and Lincoln Financial Field will be temporarily renamed Philadelphia Stadium.
“This expansion provides an incredible opportunity for soccer to be seen by the masses,”
said Meg Kane, host city executive/CEO for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the operational host committee
charged with planning and executing FIFA World Cup26™ for the City of Philadelphia.
During the competitive bidding process beginning in 2017, Philadelphia and its Lincoln Financial Field
mainly competed against other cities in the Northeast, Kane stated, and Philadelphia, Boston and New
York were chosen, probably in a nod to the country’s 250th anniversary as well as the excellence
of their stadiums and the exciting offerings of the associated cities.
Philadelphia is expecting upwards of 500,000 fans to flock to the area for matches on six days –
June 14, 19, 22, 25 and 27, as well as July 4 – in its Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia
Stadium during the tournament), which holds 62,000 spectators. Certain hotels have already been reserved
for players, officials and broadcast partners. Fans will be accommodated on a first come, first served
basis.
Besides the games themselves, Philadelphia Soccer 2026 will host accompanying soccer-themed events and
activities for the general public at Lemon Hill Park.
“We are very excited about a potential economic impact of up to $770 million on our region with
an influx of tourism to local sites, restaurants and other businesses.
“Having the World Cup here provides us with an anchor event that attracts visitors and allows
them to also experience the richness of the Philadelphia area,” Kane stated.
Northern New Jersey and New York are similarly enthused by the slating of their MetLife Stadium (New
York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup) for eight matches, including the group stage, knockout
rounds and Final Match.
“The Final Match is a singular opportunity that puts our region on the global stage and allows us
to show the world what makes this place so special. This region offers the global reach,
infrastructure, cultural vibrancy and passion for soccer needed to deliver an event of this
scale,” stated Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York/New Jersey World Cup Host Committee.
Over the course of the tournament, the New York/New
Jersey region is projected to welcome more than
1.2 million visitors, many of whom will attend matches at MetLife Stadium, participate in fan
festivals, public watch parties, community events and cultural activations throughout the area. The FIFA
Fan Festival™ NYNJ, taking place at Liberty State Park, will also welcome tens of thousands of
fans during the 39-day tournament from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring real-time broadcasts,
live entertainment, interactive fan activations and sponsorship integrations.
“The 2026 World Cup is projected to generate $3.3 billion in economic activity, support more than
26,000 jobs, and result in $1.3 billion in labor income across the region. It’s a transformative
moment not just for fans attending matches, but for small businesses, workers and local communities
throughout New York and New Jersey,” said Lasry.
“The World Cup Final Match is one of the most in-demand tickets in global sports. People
don’t just come for the game: they come for the atmosphere, the celebration, the
once-in-a-lifetime experience of being part of something truly global,” he continued.
“One of our biggest goals is to ensure that this World Cup isn’t just a one-time visit, but
the start of an ongoing connection between visitors and our region. We want fans to come for the World
Cup and leave wanting to return,” he added.
Michael Snyder, director of operations for the region’s destination marketing organization Visit
South Jersey, is also furiously preparing for this exciting world-class event in the region.
“The World Cup will grab much of the world’s attention, and we want to put on our best
appearance,” he explained. “We want to encourage fans to explore our region while they are
here; stay longer; or come back at a later time.”
“We know that soccer fans will travel far and wide to get to the games, and so many of them will
be close to us. So, we are expecting an economic boost of between $2 and $4 billion to this
region,” he said.
South Jersey is planning lots of World Cup-related events, activities and shopping opportunities, which
it will publish in a handbook for visitors. It also plans to promote local attractions like the Camden
Waterfront, the South Jersey wine region, Diggerland amusement park and the Edelman Fossil Park.
“South Jersey notoriously has limited mass transportation options. The further south you go,
the fewer options there are...That’s something we’re determined to change.”
– Christina Renna, President and CEO of CCSNJ.
