It's been 10 years since the National Football League converged on MetLife Stadium for Super Bowl XLVIII, but for those around East Rutherford, a cloud of missed opportunities and mistakes lingers.
Now, New Jersey has a chance to show off what it's learned as it prepares to host the biggest event in global sports. With the announcement that the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals will be held at MetLife, the focus is on New Jersey Transit to perform effectively and local businesses to take full advantage of the economic opportunities presented by the tournament. We are gathering.
The official name of the World Cup is “New York/New Jersey Host City,” but so far funding and stadiums have been provided only by the Garden State. Considering how the Super Bowl unfolded 10 years ago, former East Rutherford Mayor James Casella emphasized that it's important to make sure New York City pays its fair share.
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He said hosting large-scale events is “very expensive” due to resources such as state police and infrastructure work, adding that New York “didn't contribute anything” during the Super Bowl. Ta.
“A lot of events were over in New York City, but New Jersey felt like it was left behind,” Casella said. “Obviously we talk about this a lot, so I think that's a good thing, but I think at the end of the day New Jersey will be the second city after New York City,” Governor Phil Murphy said.
Casella also said that in the case of the Super Bowl, national attention is focused on New York, and the NFL discourages that by having announcers mentioning cities across the river or featuring the Manhattan skyline in helicopter shots. He also pointed out that he had done nothing to make the situation worse.
Even the official venue title puts New Jersey in second place, even though the stadium is located here and New Jersey is first in the alphabet. Ensuring the Garden State is part of the brand is essential to making the event a success for everyone involved, Casella said, adding that Murphy is “the biggest cheerleader for this event.” It pointed out.
“The game is in New Jersey. The emphasis is on that, not New York. You can have a cocktail party or whatever, except the game is in New Jersey,” he said. “I think New Jersey is going to do a great job of what they need to do…I just hope they do better than the Super Bowl.”
Accept New York as a partner
But Jim Kirkos, president of the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce, said leaning toward New York could work to the region's advantage.
“We have to realize that we can never step out of the shadow of New York City, and you can think of it as a shadow, or you can think of it as an asset,” he said. Being so close to the world's greatest city is an asset. ”
Kirkos said the chamber plans to market the area's activities to tourists, including the Big Snow and American Dream Mall theme parks and water parks. He noted that the region would benefit from a migration plan to get people across the river.
He said the chamber needs to take advantage of the opportunity to partner with a global powerhouse like New York.
“How do we leverage that asset? How do we market that asset? How do we let people know about all the destination assets that we have in our region?” Kirkos said. Will I be able to earn as much as I would in New York? I don't really understand. Will I get a lot? we can. “
How well can NJ Transit perform?
Perhaps no stain on the statewide transit agency, New Jersey Transit, is better known than its post-Super Bowl performance in 2014. After the game, more than 33,000 fans left the stadium and boarded a branch of the Meadowlands Railroad that connects MetLife Stadium to Secaucus. Junction station.
Many are quick to blame the New Jersey Department of Transportation for past mistakes, especially in light of the World Cup news. But during the 2014 Super Bowl, the rail spurs actually performed as expected. As planned, in one hour he transported more than 10,000 fans.
But when three times as many fans showed up, far exceeding pregame expectations, it took three and a half hours to get everyone back to Secaucus.
more:How do we invite fans to MetLife for the World Cup? NJ Transit spends $35 million to design bus lanes
In the decade since then, many MetLife events have encountered similar problems, as the Meadowlands Railroad carries more people than it can handle in an hour, resulting in long wait times and congestion.
However, in the summer of 2023, when MetLife Life Insurance was being looked at as a World Cup finalist, New Jersey Transit was able to accommodate concerts by Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé, an Army-Navy football game, and three consecutive nights of soccer games. Successfully handled numerous high profile events. Taylor Swift concert.
Hosting the 2026 World Cup will require New Jersey's entire transportation system and connections to the region's vast public transportation network to be disrupted as soccer fans from around the world gather to watch seven games and the final over several weeks. It will be tested like never before.
“We have to figure out the best way to spread that density across our roads, bridges, trains, buses and streetcars,” said Regional, a nonprofit organization that studies and advocates for mass transit in the tri-state. said Zoe Baldwin, New Jersey state director for the planning association. -State area.
“We also need to be cognizant of the fact that there are a lot of events going on outside of official games, so to make it an easy and enjoyable trip that people want to stay in New Jersey, it takes time. Make sure you have functional services outside,” Baldwin said.
Dedicated bus lane between MetLife and Secaucus
NJ Transit began workshopping ideas to enhance or expand the Meadowlands Railroad in 2019, and that effort led to plans to build bus, bike and pedestrian lanes between the stadium and Secaucus Junction. .
The state Department of Transportation, through NJ Transit, recently paid HNTB Corp. $35 million to proceed with design and engineering work, expected to be completed in early 2025.
Construction is expected to take about a year, said Jim Smith, a spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Transportation, but there are no estimates yet on how much it will cost to build the new transit road or buy the vehicles.
“Not only are we looking forward to providing a seamless transportation experience for fans around the world, we want everyone to know that their experience begins as soon as they board a New Jersey Transit train or bus. “We want to do that,” said New Jersey Transit President and CEO. Kevin Corbett.
Corbett said his team will determine “how short-term enhancements can contribute to long-term improvements well beyond 2026.”
more:New Jersey Transit users say Murphy needs to provide more state aid to the struggling agency.
To accomplish that, the New Jersey Department of Transportation needs a dedicated funding source to expand and improve not only service to the Meadowlands, but day-to-day services such as technical services, punctuality, and better signage. said Baldwin.
“The bad experience in the Super Bowl lingers very much in New Jersey's collective unconscious,” Baldwin said. “Prior to this, we need to see if the state is fulfilling its promise to fund New Jersey Transit. and getting caught up in everyday traffic problems' from an underfunded system. ”
How much revenue is there for the local economy?
The World Cup will generate revenue as fans flock to the region from all over the world, but it is unclear who will profit from the windfall. Murphy estimates the state could receive billions of dollars in revenue. Kirkos and the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce are focused on making sure the region seizes every opportunity.
“We in the state of New Jersey did a terrible job marketing our state” when MetLife hosted the Super Bowl, he said, adding that efforts needed to be made to draw attention to New Jersey from the beginning before and after the World Cup. Stated.
Kirkos said that as part of the bid, FIFA had set certain requirements, including securing blocks of hotel rooms in the area for staff, officials, teams and other personnel. The Chamber helped secure the contract and hotel to fulfill that promise.
He said some hotels in the Meadowlands fear being stuck in blocks of rooms, having reservations canceled at the last minute and losing potential revenue.
“I think that's where the governor's office and leadership on the New Jersey side come into play,” Kirkos said. “I don’t see that happening because the governor himself is fully committed to this. He has made it perfectly clear to FIFA that the activity is necessary. “I think we have communicated this to FIFA and I think the host committee has communicated this completely clearly to FIFA.”
He also works to ensure local mayors and communities can take advantage of having the World Cup in their backyard by organizing local events for people who love soccer.
For example, Kirkos mentioned the success of the tailgate event held in East Rutherford during the 2014 Super Bowl. The event attracted thousands of people and was held near a train station to allow people without cars to attend.
“This was a great way to introduce the community and get the community to embrace the Super Bowl,” he said.
The marketing campaign will include everything from social media and billboards to print and digital advertising to ensure people know what the area has to offer.
Guarantee a great fan experience
Ensuring that those who visit North Jersey for the World Cup have a great experience is key to driving revenue for the region and securing future hosting opportunities.
That means focusing on local and state events, not just in-stadium games. The stadium has a capacity of about 80,000 people, but only 640,000 people will be able to get tickets for the eight games.
In 2014, my main NFL experience was at Super Bowl Boulevard in Manhattan.
Kirkos said the Meadowlands didn't have and still doesn't have a venue large enough to host such an event, but that doesn't mean there aren't other places or events to enjoy, including the adjacent mega-mall American Dream. That is not the case. You'll also have access to MetLife Stadium and the shopping and dining options along Main Street in nearby towns.
Casella said the 2014 East Rutherford Tailgate did well after closing off local streets, bringing in local bands and holding watch parties at local restaurants.
Other North Jersey towns, including Secaucus, Woodridge and Ridgewood, also held events to draw crowds. Kirkos expects more communities will be able to benefit from it in 2026, including areas along the Hudson River and around Liberty State Park.
Murphy said since World Cup games are held in “summer sweet spots,” Fan Fests “both large and small” can draw large crowds, including those around the stadium and in communities across New Jersey. He pointed out that it would make a contribution.