The New York region will host the FIFA World Cup Finals in 2026, beating out contenders Dallas and Los Angeles for the honor of hosting the world's most-watched sporting event.
FIFA announced Sunday that the final will be played across the Hudson River at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Accessible by train from midtown Manhattan, the stadium is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and has a seating capacity of 82,500.
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When the finals are held in July 2026, New York will become the center of the sports world. FIFA's selection was also encouraged by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who lobbied for MetLife Stadium and touted the region's extensive infrastructure and international appeal.
MetLife Stadium has recently treated sold-out shows by pop superstars like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this location was also the site of the Super Bowl, which briefly became the most-watched television event in U.S. history. The venue cost him $1.6 billion to build and features a lavishly decorated members' club with views of the New York skyline and the stadium's interior.
The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico, and the tournament begins June 11 with games at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The following day, Canada will host its first game at Toronto's BMO Field, while the U.S. team will make its debut at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
The New York hosting committee for the 2026 World Cup overcame a huge push from Dallas to win the biggest match. The initiative, led by FC Dallas Chairman Dan Hunt and supported by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, will include transportation improvements and fan events in addition to the final game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He promised ambitious plans.
“I can't believe we lost to Jersey,” former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith joked at a media event.
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To soften the blow, the Dallas area will host nine games, more than any other city, including the semifinals, an outcome Jones called “a tremendous success.” The other semifinal will be held in Atlanta, and the third-place match will be held in Miami.
The quarterfinals will be held in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Kansas City, Missouri.
In addition to the matches being played at MetLife Stadium, New York and New Jersey have opened FIFA Fan Fest sites where soccer enthusiasts can watch screenings of matches or host their own matches.
© 2024 Bloomberg
