The Giants Stadium, which is playing host to the World Cup, is 12 miles from Montclair, New Jersey. Brazil is training in Morristown. Thousands of international journalists will be working out of Montclair State University. And Kahn himself is bringing the Global Game Summit — a B2B soccer business conference — to Prudential Center in Newark four days before the Final.
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. Have a tip or correction? Email [email protected].
Keep reading to see where the teams are playing, plus where to stay and what to eat if you’re in town for the games.
Team Base Camps: The World Is Training in Your Backyard
4 teams · all NJ-based
Four national teams have selected New Jersey as their official base camp. For residents of Montclair and Essex County, the most decorated soccer players in the world are training within a half-hour drive.
“There are four countries hosting their base camps in the state of New Jersey, one very close by, which is one of the biggest football countries in the world, and that’s Brazil, which is gonna be outside of Morristown.” — Greg Kahn
Brazil: Training at RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center, Morris Township. Hotel: The Ridge Hotel, Basking Ridge. Brand-new $100M+ facility, roughly 30 miles west of MetLife.
Morocco: Training at The Pingry School, Bernards Township. Hotel: Somerset Hills Hotel (Tapestry by Hilton), Warren. Same Pingry campus that hosted Italy in 1994.
Senegal: Training at Rutgers University, Piscataway. Hotel: The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center, New Brunswick. Plays two MetLife group stage matches: vs. France (June 16) and vs. Norway (June 22).
Haiti: Training at Stockton University, Galloway. Hotel: Atlantic City Sheraton. Competing in just their second-ever World Cup.
Where to Stay
Montclair · Meadowlands · Newark · NYC
Hotels across the region sold out early for popular match dates. For options: Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb, VRBO.
“Short-term rentals, Airbnb, VRBO — some folks are coming over in groups of ten with multi-generations. Montclarians still have a chance to do it if they would like to. They just have to be nimble and flexible.” — Greg Kahn
The George — 37 N. Mountain Ave · Boutique. A 31-room luxury boutique hotel owned by Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker, housed in a landmark 1902 building. Listed in the Michelin Guide. Complimentary European-style breakfast daily, complimentary wine and cheese each evening, private gym. The George Suite has an outdoor hot tub and garden. Free parking on site.
The MC Hotel — 690 Bloomfield Ave · Marriott Autograph Collection. Montclair’s largest hotel — 159 rooms, 8,500+ sq ft of event space, and the Splendid Rooftop bar with Manhattan views. Also houses Allegory, the hotel’s signature shared-plate restaurant. Walkable to virtually everything on Bloomfield Avenue.
Closest to MetLife (Meadowlands): Carlstadt, Rutherford, Secaucus, North Bergen. Notable: Best Western Premier NYC Gateway (North Bergen), La Quinta Inn & Suites Clifton/Rutherford.
Jersey City / Hoboken / Newark: Jersey City is 15 min to Harrison Fan Hub on PATH; Hoboken is great for nightlife; Newark is 10 min to Harrison, close to Prudential Center, and home to Ironbound dining.
Midtown Manhattan: Walking distance to Penn Station for NJ Transit connections. Recommended: Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel, Crowne Plaza HY36 (West 36th St).
Where to Eat
Ironbound · Montclair · regional picks
Newark’s Ironbound: Twenty minutes from MetLife. One of the best concentrations of Portuguese and Brazilian restaurants in the country. ironbound-newark.com. “Take Newark as an example, which has a huge Portuguese fan base around there. They’re all in on Brazil and Portugal.” — Greg Kahn. Highlights: Seabra’s Marisqueira, Fernandes Steak House, Casa Vasca, Adega Grill. Go at lunch to avoid dinner crowds.
Harrison / Kearny: Kearny was the cradle of American soccer — home to Tony Meola, Tab Ramos, and John Harkes. Portuguese and Spanish restaurants within walking distance of the Fan Hub.
Jersey City & Hoboken: Jersey City has Indian, Filipino, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Peruvian dining and more. Journal Square and Grove Street are both strong. Hoboken: better for bars and pre-game drinks.
Montclair — 12 picks:
The Splendid at the MC Hotel — 690 Bloomfield Ave. Best for: pre-game drinks & match watching. Montclair’s only rooftop bar with views stretching to Manhattan. Part sports bar, part skyline lounge — flat screens, inventive kitchen. Guinness Stout Gelato Cake worth ordering.
Clementina — 627 Valley Rd · BYOB. Best for: a special dinner with visiting guests. Montclair’s most talked-about new opening (June 2026). Modern Italian from Chef Michele Rocchi — Adriatic Coast traditions in a beautifully restored 1893 building. Pasta made via a patented Italian cold-extrusion process exclusive to Clementina in the US. BYOB: Angelbeck’s and The Grape Collective are steps away. Wed–Sun, dinner only. Reservations recommended.
Turtle and the Wolf — 622 Valley Rd. Best for: a proper summer dinner. Montclair’s benchmark farm-to-table American. Seasonal menu, legendary backyard patio, devoted fried chicken following.
Oso Felipe — Near Walnut St. Best for: brunch before a match. Modern Mexican. The watermelon salad (chilies, sesame oil, scallions) is one of the most surprising dishes in town. Chilaquiles verde — messy, indulgent, worth it.
Jalwa — Glenridge Ave. Best for: generous, affordable lunch. North Indian comfort food. Lunch special under $20 covers an appetizer, entrée, rice, bread, and dessert.
Ray’s Luncheonette — Walnut St. Best for: cheap, classic breakfast. Open since the 1960s. Named by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of 25
historic restaurants in the United States. Hearty breakfast and coffee under $20. Go early.
La Fontaine — 12 N. Willow St. Best for: coffee, pastries & Turkish breakfast. Simit, eggs, olives, cheeses, and spreads. Strong espresso, fresh smoothies. Adam Sandler has been spotted here.
Qahwah House. Best for: traditional Yemeni coffee. Spiced, slow-brewed coffee in an atmosphere that invites you to sit and stay.
Sushi Koshi — Watchung Plaza. Best for: relaxed neighborhood dinner. Consistent, warm neighborhood sushi. Every meal ends with complimentary mochi.
PastaRAMEN — BYOB · no signage. Best for: the most inventive meal in town. Chef Robbie Felice’s Italian-Japanese fusion. Montclair’s hardest reservation. Cacio e Pepe Gyoza, Wafu Italian Caesar Salad. Bring wine from Amanti Vino next door.
Raymond’s — Bloomfield Ave · BYOB. Best for: classic Montclair brunch. Whimsical interior, all-day comfort food, weekend lines. French toast, huevos rancheros, homemade marshmallows.
Summer outdoor dining picks: Bar Franco (Church St — Italian tapas, cocktail-bar energy); Zeugma Mediterranean Grill (South Park St — BYOB summer patio, lamb and grilled halloumi); De Novo European Pub (275 Bellevue — renovated train station, broad beer list).
Where to Watch Games Locally
Lackawanna · bars · fan zones
“Locally, Lackawanna Plaza is going to be showing the matches. Highly recommend that everybody go see them.” — Greg Kahn. Match schedule: summerofsoccermontclairnj.com
Sam’s Table is converting its dining room into a World Cup café for the full 39 days — long-table dining, relaxed European atmosphere. Egan and Sons on Walnut Street (VisitNJ’s top Montclair pick for European football, 28 draught beers). Tierney’s Tavern on Valley Road is the town’s other natural soccer bar.
Varitage Brew Works in Bloomfield — seven miles from MetLife. Lucky Strike is showing all matches at its North Brunswick and Green Brook locations.
“I’m seeing specific bars for specific countries in New York City. Have not seen that as much in New Jersey to date, especially in the Montclair area. But there are opportunities for bars to still step up and do it. I think it would be a strong marketing move.” — Greg Kahn
Practical Tips & What to Expect
- Buy NJ Transit tickets early. The 40,000-per-match cap means they will sell out. Purchase only via the NJ Transit app. Your $98 ticket covers unlimited same-day travel — your Montclair-to-Secaucus leg is included.
- Expect crowds everywhere. MetLife, the Harrison Fan Hub, American Dream, the Ironbound, and midtown Manhattan will all be far more crowded on match days. Build extra time into everything.
- Learn the teams. First-ever 48-team tournament. See FIFA.com for full details.
- Be patient on the roads. Route 3, Route 17, the NJ Turnpike near the Meadowlands, and Lincoln Tunnel approaches will be severely congested on match days.
- Keep an eye on prices near the stadium. A proposed Meadowlands District sales tax surcharge (if passed) would affect food, drinks, and entertainment near MetLife. Eat before you arrive.
- Bring cash and a portable charger. Fan zones and food trucks are cash-friendly. Cell service at crowded outdoor events can be unreliable.
- Check weather. National Weather Service — late June and early July in NJ can be hot. Hydrate and wear sunscreen at outdoor fan zones.
- For local businesses: “Everything from a hair or beauty salon, to a bodega, to massage parlors, to gyms — I would start promoting the fact that you’re open. And the Brazilians are looking for Padel. If anyone owns a Padel court anywhere, they want to play on their off days.” — Greg Kahn
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This article originally appeared on Montclairpod.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.co
