Latest news with #NYNJHostCommittee
New York Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Club WC serves as rehearsal for World Cup which is one year away
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup exactly one year away, local officials marked the occasion on Wednesday with a celebration at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, while promising to put on the 'biggest event that the world has ever seen.' The picturesque park will serve as the official site of the FIFA Fan Festival New York New Jersey, with plans for massive screens for fans to watch every match of the 39-day tournament, along with live entertainment and fan activities. Liberty State Park is a short distance from MetLife Stadium, which will host eight matches during the World Cup, including the final on July 19, 2026. NYNJ Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry called it 'a lot' just to reach the one-year mark until the world's biggest sporting event comes to the region, but said there's still more work to be done. Advertisement Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup Host Committee, speaks during a media availability with host city leaders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in New York City on June 9, 2025. AFP via Getty Images 'I think what we saw today is what the plan is, and now we gotta move into the execution phase,' Lasry told The Post. 'Our region isn't unique to mega sporting events and mega festivals. I think that's what is really going to help us as we execute on what's going to be the biggest party and the biggest event that the world has ever seen.' Officials projected between $2.14 billion and $3.45 billion in economic output for the New York/New Jersey area related to the World Cup, with the host committee planning other events related to the tournament. Advertisement New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the fan fest in Liberty State Park alone is expected to see at least 45,000 fans. The NYNJ Host Committee is also launching a number of events in the months leading up to next year's World Cup to build excitement, including the installation of a countdown clock at MetLife Stadium. Buildings across New York and New Jersey were lit up in Liberty Green and a mobile fan experience dubbed the 'Skyline to Shoreline Road Tour' will make its way around the region. Advertisement 'This is all part of becoming part of the fabric and culture of New York, New Jersey and getting people excited for the World Cup,' Lasry said. 'I think that's what we're trying to do, is just make sure that everyone has a feel for what we're planning to do. And just get people really excited about what's going to happen next year.' While excitement has been building for the World Cup, concerns have arisen over the current political climate in the United States related to the immigration policies of President Donald Trump, who was in office when the United States won the joint bid with Canada and Mexico to host the 2026 tournament. Murphy didn't express any concerns about the potential impact, saying he expected a 'blowout success and a safe World Cup.' 'Based on all the vibrations I hear, and we hear a lot, we're obviously working very closely with the administration, with FIFA. This is going to be done in a first-class, welcoming way,' Murphy said. Advertisement The outgoing New Jersey governor also touted the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which begins this weekend in the U.S., will be aired on DAZN, and will play several matches — including the final — at MetLife Stadium. Lasry called the Club World Cup a 'great chance for us to just get a sense' of how to work with their regional partners for the 'big show in 2026.'
Fox News
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
NJ Gov Phil Murphy preparing for World Cup 1 year out: 'Most-watched event in human history'
JERSEY CITY, NJ – Wednesday marks exactly one year until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America, and the party got started in the state where the final will be played. It's the first time since 1994 that the continent is playing host to the most popular sporting event in the world, and Phil Murphy's New Jersey will be the site of the final. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will host eight matches total, including five in the group stage and games in both the rounds of 32 and 16. In speaking to the media on Wednesday at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, the location of the official 2026 World Cup fan festival, Murphy predicted that the final at the home of the New York Giants and Jets will be "the most-watched event in human history." And for those in attendance, "the MetLife experience will be outstanding," said Murphy. "It will be secure and safe, easy to get in and out, great experience for the fans once they're in the stadium," Murphy continued. "This is what it's all about. A bunch of preparation, and now being able to show our vision and get the reaction we got, which was excitement, energy, interest. This is what it's all about," added Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee. "It's real. We're a year out, and to see the reaction from everyone of how much excitement there is for the World Cup makes us that much more excited." Liberty State Park is the home to tremendous views of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty while filled with greenery, making it the perfect spot for fans to gather. So, while Murphy will undoubtedly be at all eight World Cup games played at MetLife, there is a further responsibility to make sure that fans are entertained for the other 96 contests played in the other 15 host stadiums. "The fan fest, it's going to be beyond words. Twenty-two screens, capacity of 45,000. When we're not at MetLife, we'll be here watching. Those experiences are extraordinary. This will be no exception," Murphy added. "When you look at the ability for people to get here from New York and New Jersey, the iconic skyline and views from this, and then, when you're just thinking of where to put on the party, there's nowhere better," Lasry said. "It's a unique place to put on the most iconic fan fest that we're looking at. To be able to do that in New Jersey with the view of New York, it kind of brings together the partnership." The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place in North America next year and will be featured on FOX Sports. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
