(JERSEY CITY, NJ) /PRNewswire/ -- With just One Year to Go until the world looks to New York and New Jersey for eight FIFA World Cup 26(TM) games, including the Final Match, the NYNJ Host Committee announced Liberty State Park as the official site of the FIFA Fan Festival(TM) New York New Jersey (NYNJ). Along side the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty, this iconic location will be the region's central hub for fan celebration.
The FIFA Fan Festival™ NYNJ will 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. Additional Host Committee-led Fan Zones across the region will be announced in the coming weeks.
"The FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ will be the largest and most visible fan experience of the entire tournament," said Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee. "Liberty State Park offers a landmark setting and reflects the scale and energy of the region. This isn't just about watching matches, it's about celebrating the game, showcasing what makes NYNJ special, and creating lasting impact for our communities, partners, and millions of fans."
Live Nation, the world's leading live entertainment company, in partnership with renowned event producer DPS, will produce the 39-day event. A highlight of the festival's programming: Live Nation will present a number of concerts on non-match ("Rest Days") days, creating marquee moments that celebrate the intersection of soccer, music, and culture.
"The FIFA World Cup 2026 is one of the world's most prestigious events and an unparalleled opportunity to highlight the region's diversity and deliver unforgettable fan experiences," said Geoff Gordon, Chairman, Live Nation Northeast Region. "We're honored to support the NYNJ Host Committee on this historic moment."
"The FIFA World Cup draws billions of viewers from all over the planet, and the FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ will enable hundreds of thousands of fans to experience it in an immersive way," said Darren Pfeffer, President of DPS. "We're excited to collaborate with the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee and Live Nation New York to make history with this unique event."
"There's nothing more powerful than bringing people together, and the FIFA World Cup will ignite our region with energy and excitement," said Christie Huus, Chief Events Officer of the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee. "The depth of experience Live Nation and DPS bring will ensure success in transforming NYNJ into one big block party celebrating community, diversity and all our region has to offer."
Skyline to Shoreline Road Tour™ Launches - Coinciding with the announcement, the Host Committee officially launched the Skyline to Shoreline Road Tour™—a mobile fan experience that will travel across New York and New Jersey this summer. Featuring soccer zones, music, giveaways, and community storytelling, the tour will appear at festivals, parks, and neighborhood events through Labor Day 2025.
Each stop is designed to reflect the spirit of the local community. The tour is the first wave of a summer-long celebration that also includes bold visual takeovers across the region.
A Region-Wide Summer of Momentum Begins - To mark One Year to Go, buildings and landmarks across New Yorkand New Jersey will light up Liberty Green, the Host Committee's signature color—transforming the region into a bold tribute. Participating sites include Madison Square Garden, 30 Rock at Rockefeller Center, One World Trade Center, 425 Park Avenue, Lincoln Center, Pier 17 at The Seaport, Javits Center, One Bryant Park, Brookfield Place, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, World Trade Center Oculus, Sports Illustrated Stadium, One Five One, Empire Outlets, Bronx Terminal Market, Hudson Yards, PSEG substation in Hoboken, and many more.
This campaign is part of a larger high-impact out-of-home (OOH) push, spanning digital billboards, transit, street furniture, and creative public-space takeovers—all designed to build excitement across the region.
A newly installed countdown clock structure at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium)—home to eight matches including the Final Match—is a bold reminder that the world's biggest sporting event is near. The structure may rotate through other high-profile locations this the year.
"This countdown isn't just about the calendar—it's about building visibility, energy, and connection," said Bettina Garibaldi, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for the NYNJ Host Committee. "From the lighting campaign and mobile tour kicking off from the location of our official FIFA Fan Festival to bold out-of-home takeovers and our countdown clock, every element reflects the scale of what's coming—and the global, diverse communities that make NYNJ unique."
How Fans Can Get Involved
* Tickets: On sale soon at FIFA.com/tickets.
* Volunteers: Join the FIFA Volunteer Community at FIFA.com/volunteer.
* Stay Connected: Subscribe to the NYNJ Fan Newsletter via their website
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ NYNJ Host Committee is the local organizing body responsible for delivering eight matches, including the Final. The committee coordinates between city and state stakeholders and FIFA to ensure world-class delivery of infrastructure, services, and fan experiences. Its mission: to create the most engaging, inclusive, and impactful World Cup experience for fans, athletes, partners, and communities.
