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FIFA Fan Fest Canceled in NY/NJ
20 Feb
Summary
- Official FIFA Fan Fest for NY/NJ area canceled four months before tournament.
- New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill to fund smaller local events instead.
- Fans with tickets for the canceled event will receive full reimbursements.
The official FIFA Fan Fest for the New York/New Jersey area has been canceled, with the men's World Cup set to start in June. Originally planned for Liberty State Park, the event was announced in February 2025 with the backing of then-Governor Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy Murphy. The new Governor, Mikie Sherrill, has opted for a different approach.
Instead of the large-scale Fan Fest, Governor Sherrill announced $5 million for initiatives to "bring the excitement" of the tournament to communities throughout New Jersey. These funds will support smaller watch parties and street fairs. A spokesperson for Governor Sherrill stated that the Jersey City venue is no longer being used, and a program to bring World Cup excitement to communities statewide is being developed.
Fans who had purchased tickets for the canceled Liberty State Park event will receive full reimbursements within 14-21 days. Officials from Jersey City expressed support for the Governor's decision, citing challenges in managing large crowds and maintaining community access to Liberty State Park.
As it stands, New York/New Jersey does not have an official FIFA Fan Fest organized for the entire tournament duration. FIFA's initial contract requirement for host cities to provide an official Fan Fest free of charge for every day of the competition has faced pushback due to significant costs, including daily security expenses potentially exceeding $1 million in major markets.
New York City will still host some fan viewing experiences, including a fan village at Rockefeller Center and a ticketed World Cup fan zone at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens for select group-stage matches. The New York/New Jersey Host Committee is exploring options to relocate the official Fan Fest to another location in the region, possibly within New York City, but it is not expected to run for the full tournament.
FIFA sponsor McDonald's has declined an option to sell products at FIFA Fan Fests this summer, citing a focus on community impact. While McDonald's branding will remain visible and rival vendors will be restricted, the company stated it is "all-in" on sponsoring the tournament, despite concerns about potential return on investment in some markets.
