The last time the FIFA World Cup was held in the United States, Bill Clinton was president, the internet was barely a thing, and the games were played in Giants Stadium — the same patch of New Jersey swampland that now houses MetLife, the most modern football venue in the country. That was 1994. Thirty-two years later, the World Cup is back. And New Jersey isn’t just a footnote this time — it’s hosting eight matches, more than any other American venue, including the World Cup Final on July 19.
Greg Kahn, a Montclair resident and founder of GK Digital Ventures, has been living inside this world for the past 18 months. For Kahn’s full insider breakdown, read our interview overview and listen to the episode online.
Keep reading to learn more about fan experiences in and around New Jersey,
American Dream: The Stadium Next Door
Dream Fan Fest · 39 days
American Dream — the enormous entertainment and retail complex connected to MetLife by two pedestrian bridges — is running a 39-day celebration called Dream Fan Fest. Worth visiting even without a match ticket. Full lineup
“American Dream is where the hub of most of the FIFA activity is going to take place. It’s the only walkable venue to the MetLife Stadium.” — Greg Kahn
- Daily big-screen viewing parties for every match
- Concerts at Dream Live Performing Arts Center, The Rink, and the Expo Center
- DreamWorks Water Park events and postgame programming
- The Messi Experience — museum-style exhibit honoring Lionel Messi
- The Soccer Factory — a museum dedicated to Diego Maradona
- La Plaza de Fútbol — 1,000 NJ small businesses, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- 11 full-service restaurants with curated World Cup menus
For local businesses: Vendor registration still open at plaza.futbol — requires NJ business registration certificate, certificate of insurance, and a $25 application fee.
Getting there: Direct NJ Transit bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal. Rideshare drop-off available (expect surge pricing on match days).
Fan Hubs & Watch Zones Across the Region
Free options · June 13 – July 19
You don’t need a MetLife ticket to feel the World Cup. Free fan experiences run across the region for the full 39 days. Full details
Jersey Fan Hub — Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, NJ (Free). Open select dates June 13–July 15. 60-foot screen on the pitch, “Hype House” with 20 TVs, 360-degree bar, live DJs. Concerts including Kygo & Kaleo on June 22. PATH train to Harrison station, short walk.
Fan Zone Queens — USTA Billie Jean King Center, Flushing (Free). Open June 17–28. General admission free; children under 12 free.
Fan Village — Rockefeller Center, Manhattan (Free). Open July 4–19 for the knockout stages.
Hudson Yards Backyard Fan Zone, Manhattan (Free). 60-foot screen, full tournament, free seating. Take the 7 train to 34th St–Hudson Yards.
Additional fan zones: Bronx (June 13–14), Staten Island (June 29–July 2), Brooklyn Bridge Park (June 13–19).
The Goya-sponsored Flag Cities 2026 series runs June 8–July 16 across Hudson and Bergen counties, with host cities including Newark, Paterson, Bayonne, East Rutherford, Hackensack, Jersey City, and Secaucus.
The NJPAC North to Shore Festival runs June 13–July 16 across Essex, Monmouth, and Atlantic counties with World Cup-tied programming.
The Global Game Summit: The Business of Soccer Comes to Newark
July 15 · Prudential Center
Four days before the World Cup Final, the business of global soccer convenes at Prudential Center in Newark. The only B2B soccer summit of its kind during World Cup finals week — created by Montclair resident Greg Kahn.
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 · 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Tickets: Ticketmaster.com · globalgamesummit.com
“It is the only B2B men’s and women’s soccer summit taking place during the finals week of the World Cup. It was very intentional to do this in New Jersey. New Jersey’s media and sports and tech industries are on a rapid rise. And it’s time for New Jersey to get its due.” — Greg Kahn
Produced in partnership with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (the ownership group behind the NJ Devils, Philadelphia 76ers, and Crystal Palace FC). The 2025 inaugural edition drew participants from 28 countries. 2026 program tracks include: Ownership & Capital; Brands, Marketing & Global Market Entry; Women’s Game & Global Growth; Athletes as Platforms; AI, Tech & Data; Media Rights & Distribution; Creator Economy & Fan Monetization; Gaming & Emerging Platforms.
Montclair’s Own World Cup Moment
MSU media center · July 12 festival
Montclair isn’t just near the action — it’s part of the infrastructure. Montclair State University is hosting the official regional media center for the tournament, and Montclair has its own World Cup community event at Lackawanna Plaza on July 12.
The NYNJ Host Committee and Montclair State University have created an official World Cup Media Center on the MSU campus, just 11 miles from MetLife — with deadline-style workspaces, broadcast and podcast studios, live production capabilities, and on-site technical support. Thousands of international journalists will be based here for the duration of the tournament.
“The press is going to be housed at Montclair State. All the official press is going to be at Montclair State for the World Cup. And again, they could have been in a lot of different places, but they’re right here in our backyard.” — Greg Kahn
Non-overnight press must register at least 48 hours in advance. Contact: [email protected]
“Montclair has a really special role in bringing the creative class, the technology class, the business class together. It really is about community and it’s about culture.” — Greg Kahn, Board of Trustees, Montclair Film
Montclair International Food & Dance Festival — July 12 at Lackawanna Plaza. Part of the NJ World Cup Community Initiative ($5 million in state funding, 34 events across NJ). International food vendors, live music and dance, watch party programming. Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Fan & Supporter Clubs
USA · Brazil · Morocco · Senegal · Haiti
“There’s a broader feeling internationally that maybe they’re not welcome here. Montclarians always have the spirit that everyone’s welcome. I would be vocal about that. You’re welcome here. We want to see the Haitians here and we want to see the Moroccans here and the
Senegalese here in town.” — Greg Kahn
- American Outlaws (USA) — the official USMNT supporter group. Active NJ and NYC chapters.
- Empire Supporter Club (NY Red Bulls) — local MLS supporters active at the Harrison Fan Hub.
- Brazilian fan communities — with Brazil training in Morristown, the Ironbound is the natural gathering point.
- Moroccan fan communities — New Jersey has close to 10,000 residents of Moroccan descent. Gov. Sherrill specifically noted this when Morocco announced its NJ base camp.
- French and Senegalese communities — both teams play two group stage matches at MetLife. Large francophone communities in Newark and Jersey City will be well-represented.
Check the resources & external links
Related:
- 5 Questions About the World Cup in New Jersey that You’re too Embarrassed to Ask Out Loud
- Outdoor Dining in Montclair: Our 5 Go-To Spots for Summer Nights
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This article originally appeared on Montclairpod.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.co
