Ahead of 2026 World Cup, US Travel Warns: "We're Not Where We Need To Be"
In the next decade, the US will host a slew of mega events: Kicking them off are the 2025 Ryder Cup in September, the FIFA World Cup in June 2026 and the 250th anniversary of America's independence in July 2026. Then come the even bigger ones: the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City. The tournaments taking place over the next four years alone are projected to bring in 40 million visitors and $95 billion in revenue, according to the US Travel Association.
But the US isn't ready for this era of unprecedented demand, according to a 90-page report released by the nonprofit advocacy group on Feb. 19—and it won't get there unless it's prepared to make more than $10 billion in strategic upgrades to its travel infrastructure.
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New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
NFLPA taking notice of grass field at MetLife Stadium for Club World Cup after safety concerns
The NFL Players Association took notice. After video surfaced on X of a grass field being installed at MetLife Stadium ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, the NFLPA had a telling response. 'Looks nice 🧐…,' the official NFLPA account posted. '#SaferFields.' The Giants' and Jets' use of artificial turf at MetLife stadium has long been a point of contention among players due to the higher rate of injuries on the surface, and it reached a boiling point when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles on the field in 2024. FIFA requires real grass to be used to comply with its regulations, and MetLife Stadium is one of the venues for the Club World Cup, which is taking place across America. NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell said last year that 92 percent of players preferred grass fields over turf. 'It's really basic,' Howell said last year. 'It's not rocket science. Ninety-two percent of our union wants grass. That's compelling. The bottom line is, it's unquestionable that our union wants to have a working condition where they play on grass.' Despite the willingness to install a grass field for other sports, Giants owner John Mara has maintained that it would not be sustainable for football, given two teams play at the stadium, the weather and the large amount of events at the stadium. 'I want to get to the point where the experts can tell us that late in the season we can have a safe, playable grass field, and when we get to that point, then maybe we'll make the switch,' Mara said at last year's NFL owners meetings. 'We're not there yet. 'With the amount of events in our building, particularly during the football season, having two teams there, and how many times last year we had back-to-back games where it rained during the first game, I can't imagine what a grass field would've looked like on a second day.' 3 Giants owner John Mara Bill Kostroun/New York Post 3 Jets owner Woody Johnson AP Jets owner Woody Johnson last year said he and Mara regularly discuss the idea of using grass fields for football. MetLife Stadium will also host 2026 FIFA World Cup games, including the final. Grass fields will be needed next summer as well. 3 A new grass field was installed at MetLife Stadium for the FIFA Club World Cup. X / @PIX11Sports 'That type of grass [for soccer] is not fit for football,' Mara said last year. 'It's a completely different type of surface. They're more concerned with how the ball bounces as opposed to anything else. It'll be a temporary grass field that goes down, and that's great in June and July. No matter how many times you change it out, and we tried this back in '99 to 2001 with the [natural grass field] trays and stuff, it was not a pretty sight in December and January. Again, I think we can get there some day. I just am not satisfied that we're there yet.'
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
One year out from 2026 FIFA World Cup, NJ ready to be 'soccer central worldwide'
One year out from 2026 FIFA World Cup, NJ ready to be 'soccer central worldwide' 3-minute read Show Caption Hide Caption Phil Murphy talks 2026 FIFA World Cup at NJ budget address During his 2026 New Jersey budget address, Gov. Phil Murphy discussed the upcoming FIFA World Cup plans. It's official. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at East Rutherford's MetLife Stadium in one year. To celebrate the last 365 days of preparation, Gov. Phil Murphy and the regional host committee, including CEO Alex Lasry and board chair Tammy Murphy, were at Liberty State Park in Jersey City Wednesday morning to outline the FIFA Fan Festival experience set to take place next summer. Joined by fan favorites like Mr. and Mrs. Met, Giants legend Victor Cruz and representatives from most of the region's professional sports teams, a mini festival complete with food trucks and activities for kids was set up to show, on a small scale, what is coming in 2026. With lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty serving as a backdrop, the park will be the premier fan festival during all 40 days of next summer's global event. More than 100 matches, including the ones scheduled to be played at MetLife will be broadcast live for fans to enjoy along with entertainment presented by LiveNation, food and other cultural exhibits that represent the Garden State and our neighbors across the Hudson River. What did NJ officials say? Gov. Phil Murphy said that between this year's Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup, the region will be 'soccer central worldwide, globally, for the next 15 months' and said there is a commitment to the legacy of the sport. 'MLS was born out of the 1996 World Cup. I can only imagine what will be born out of this World Cup and most importantly in the communities in the region on both sides of the Hudson,' he said. Lasry said Liberty State Park will serve as the 'central gathering place for fans from across the world' and explained it will be the largest and most visible fan festival of the tournament. Officials expect tens of thousands of fans to attend the festival during each of its 39 days and have partnered with LiveNation and DPS to produce the programming which will include concerts on rest days. Among those fans will be 'all six Murphys,' according to first lady Tammy Murphy. More: What has NJ spent — so far, at least — to fund the 2026 FIFA World Cup? 2025 FIFA Club World Cup gives NJ a preview of 2026 Fans get a little taste of the global soccer experience starting this weekend at MetLife when the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off. This year's tournament features club teams — professional teams from leagues around the world — as opposed to national teams that will compete in the 2026 World Cup. It's unclear whether the immigration and border security initiatives of the Trump administration will affect the tournaments. Among the teams to already qualify is Iran, which is one of the countries included in Trump's latest full travel ban. President Donald Trump did attend the Club World Cup draw in December and said he "will try to be" at the tournament. He has hosted FIFA President Gianni Infantino at his Mar-a-Lago Club and the White House. Infantino also attended Trump's second inauguration. Murphy said Wednesday that his understanding is that there will be exceptions for big sporting events and this is the 'biggest in the world.' He went on to say there is a 'long road to travel' between now and when the tournament starts but that all of the teams that qualify will be able to play. When asked about concerns tourists may have about the presence of ICE and comments made by Vice President J.D. Vance about visitors, Murphy said he 'can't speak' for them but is 'hugely optimistic this is going to be a blowout success and a safe World Cup.' 'Based on all the vibrations I hear… this is going to be done in a first class welcoming way,' he said. Lasry said the host committee's 'concern and goal' is that everyone that comes to the tournament has an incredible time. Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
How to Buy Inter Miami vs Al Ahly Tickets: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Discount Promo Code
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take part in their first match of the 2025 FIFA World Cup on Saturday against Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium, and you can claim a seat by purchasing tickets now. Shop: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly FIFA Club World Cup Tickets Soccer Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami in action against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami in action against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Messi is one of the most popular athletes in the world, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience seeing him play live. His club is one of the many great teams competing in this summer's 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and they open up their tournament campaign against Al Ahly. The Club World Cup is sure to be a massive draw for soccer fans across the country and the rest of the world, as the top clubs in the world compete in this high-level tournament. Shop: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly FIFA Club World Cup Tickets For the first time, the United States has the honor of being the host country in what is now an expanded 32-team field. Matches will run all the way until July 13th, with games taking place in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Seattle, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Orlando, Cincinnati, Washington D.C., Charlotte, and Nashville. This is an excellent opportunity for fans in the United States to catch their favorite club teams and players in action. We don't get the chance very often in the States to see players like Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid, Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland of Manchester City, and Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain play live, so you'll want to make sure not to miss out. Click on any of the links to order your tickets to Inter Miami vs Al Ahly or any other matches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Shop: FIFA Club World Cup Tickets Vivid Seats Promo Code Use promo code NEWSWEEK20 to get $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200 or more (before taxes and fees). Offer valid for new customers only. Soccer Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe runs for the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 24, 2025. Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe runs for the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 24, 2025. OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Schedule Saturday, 14 June Group A: Al Ahly FC v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 20:00 Sunday, 15 June Group C: FC Bayern München v Auckland City FC - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 12:00 Group B: Paris Saint-Germain v Atlético de Madrid - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 12:00 Group A: SE Palmeiras v FC Porto - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 18:00 Group B: Botafogo v Seattle Sounders FC - Lumen Field, Seattle, 19:00 Monday, 16 June Group D: Chelsea FC v LAFC - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 15:00 Group C: CA Boca Juniors v SL Benfica - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 18:00 Group D: CR Flamengo v Espérance - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Tuesday, 17 June Group F: Fluminense FC v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 12:00 Group E: CA River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group F: Ulsan HD v Mamelodi Sundowns FC - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, 18:00 Group E: CF Monterrey v FC Internazionale Milano - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Wednesday, 18 June Group G: Manchester City v Wydad AC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Group H: Real Madrid C. F. v Al Hilal - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Group H: CF Pachuca v FC Salzburg - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 18:00 Group G: Al Ain FC v Juventus FC - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 21:00 Thursday, 19 June Group A: SE Palmeiras v Al Ahly FC - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 12:00 Group A: Inter Miami CF v FC Porto - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 15:00 Group B: Seattle Sounders FC v Atlético de Madrid - Lumen Field, Seattle, 15:00 Group B: Paris Saint-Germain v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Friday, 20 June Group C: SL Benfica v Auckland City FC - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, 12:00 Group D: CR Flamengo v Chelsea FC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 14:00 Group D: LAFC v Espérance - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 17:00 Group C: FC Bayern München v CA Boca Juniors - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 21:00 Saturday, 21 June Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC v Borussia Dortmund - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 12:00 Group E: FC Internazionale Milano v Urawa Red Diamonds - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group F: Fluminense FC v Ulsan HD - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 18:00 Group E: CA River Plate v CF Monterrey - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Sunday, 22 June Group G: Juventus FC v Wydad AC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Group H: Real Madrid C. F. v CF Pachuca - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Group H: FC Salzburg v Al Hilal - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 18:00 Group G: Manchester City v Al Ain FC - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 21:00 Monday, 23 June Group B: Seattle Sounders FC v Paris Saint-Germain - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group B: Atlético de Madrid v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 12:00 Group A: Inter Miami CF v SE Palmeiras - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 21:00 Group A: FC Porto v Al Ahly FC - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 21:00 Tuesday, 24 June Group C: Auckland City FC v CA Boca Juniors - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 14:00 Group C: SL Benfica v FC Bayern München - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Group D: LAFC v CR Flamengo - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 21:00 Group D: Espérance v Chelsea FC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Wednesday, 25 June Group F: Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan HD - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 15:00 Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC v Fluminense FC - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Group E: FC Internazionale Milano v CA River Plate - Lumen Field, Seattle, 18:00 Group E: Urawa Red Diamonds v CF Monterrey - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Thursday, 26 June Group G: Juventus FC v Manchester City - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 15:00 Group G: Wydad AC v Al Ain FC - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 15:00 Group H: Al Hilal v CF Pachuca - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 20:00 Group H: FC Salzburg v Real Madrid C. F. - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Round of 16 fixtures Saturday, 28 June Match 49: Group A winners v Group B runners-up - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Match 50: Group C winners v Group D runners-up - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 16:00 Sunday, 29 June Match 51: Group B winners v Group A runners-up - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 12:00 Match 52: Group D winners v Group C runners-up - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 16:00 Monday, 30 June Match 53: Group E winners v Group F runners-up - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Match 54: Group G winners v Group H runners-up - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 21:00 Tuesday, 1 July Match 55: Group H winners v Group G runners-up - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Match 56: Group F winners v Group E runners-up - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 21:00 Quarter-final fixtures Friday, 4 July Match 57: Winner match 53 v Winner match 54 - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 15:00 Match 58: Winner match 49 v Winner match 50 - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Saturday, 5 July Match 59: Winner match 51 v Winner match 52 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 12:00 Match 60: Winner match 55 v Winner match 56 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 16:00 Semi-final fixtures Tuesday, 8 July Match 61: Winner match 57 v Winner match 58 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 Wednesday, 9 July Match 62: Winner match 59 v Winner match 60 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 FIFA Club World Cup Final Sunday, 13 July Match 63: Winner match 61 v Winner match 62 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 Shop: FIFA Club World Cup Tickets If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
