In honor of the FIFA World Cup coming to North America next year, Liberty State Park in New Jersey — located across the Hudson River from Manhattan — has been selected as the official site of the FIFA Fan Festival, produced by Live Nation and DPS.
Met Life Stadium will host eight FIFA World Cup 26 games, including the Final Match. As a result, the NYNJ Host Committee chose Liberty State Park due to its stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and proximity to Ellis Island and the iconic Statue of Liberty. The FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ is expected to attract tens of thousands of fans during the 39-day tournament, which is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Besides concerts and chances to participate in soccer challenges, fans can watch real-time match broadcasts and interactive fan activations, as well as activations for FIFA’s various corporate sponsors.
“The FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ will be the largest and most visible fan experience of the entire tournament,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee, in a statement. “This isn’t just about watching matches, it’s about celebrating the game” and “creating lasting impact for our communities, partners, and millions of fans.”
As part of its role programming FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ, Live Nation will present a number of premier concerts on non-match days, “creating marquee moments that celebrate the intersection of soccer, music, and culture,” according to a press release.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is one of the world’s most prestigious events and an unparalleled opportunity to highlight the region’s diversity and deliver unforgettable fan experiences,” added Geoff Gordon, Chairman of Live Nation Northeast Region. “We’re honored to support the NYNJ Host Committee on this historic moment.”
Production company Diversified Production Services will handle most of the logistics of the FIFA Fan Festival, said Darren Pfeffer, president of DPS, who said in a statement, “The FIFA World Cup draws billions of viewers from all over the planet, and the FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ will enable hundreds of thousands of fans to experience it in an immersive way.”
Christie Huus, chief events officer of the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee, added, “There’s nothing more powerful than bringing people together, and the FIFA World Cup will ignite our region with energy and excitement. The depth of experience Live Nation and DPS bring will ensure success in transforming NYNJ into one big block party.”
Tickets for the FIFA Fan Festival go on sale soon at FIFA.com/tickets.
