More than 750 New Jerseyans will get the chance to attend FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches for free, thanks to a new ticket initiative announced by Governor Mikie Sherrill and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee.
The tickets will be distributed to residents across the state, including youth soccer players from underserved communities, families of deployed New Jersey National Guard members, first responders, pediatric patients, healthcare workers and others.
The free tickets will be distributed across five Group Stage matches and two Knockout Round matches at New York New Jersey Stadium (aka MetLife Stadium). The initiative is being supported through a partnership between the Governor’s Office, the NYNJ Host Committee, Uber, Hackensack Meridian Health and Choose New Jersey, with no cost to taxpayers.
Of the 770 tickets announced, 500 will go to community groups across New Jersey with support from Uber and Choose New Jersey. Recipients will include New Jersey Youth Soccer players from underserved communities, families of deployed National Guard members, Hackensack Meridian Health patients in the Make-A-Wish program, and Bergen County first responders helping support World Cup operations.
Another 200 tickets will be provided through Hackensack Meridian Health for frontline nurses, healthcare team members and pediatric patients, including children facing serious illnesses and their families.
The NYNJ Host Committee will provide 70 additional tickets through the Welcome World Rewards program, which encourages residents to support local small businesses and attend New Jersey World Cup Community Initiative events.
Governor Sherrill said she wants World Cup matches to be accessible to more New Jersey families. “We are excited to welcome the world to the Garden State for the World Cup starting this week and to be at the very center of the festivities, but we want the experience, first and foremost, to be accessible and affordable for as many New Jerseyans as possible,” she said.
Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee, said the initiative is meant to enable more New Jerseyans to be part of what he called a “once-in-a-generation moment.”
The announcement was made at Hackensack University Medical Center, the official hospital of the NYNJ Host Committee. Officials also unveiled a FIFA World Cup 2026™ mural across from Hackensack University Medical Center’s Helena Theurer Pavilion. The mural celebrates the eight World Cup matches that will be played in the New York-New Jersey region, including the Final. It was created by Richard Tu, the artist behind the official New York New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host City Poster.
New Jersey will host 8 matches (see the schedule pictured below) at MetLife Stadium this month and next. Five Group Stage games, two knockout rounds, and the World Cup Final on July 19 will be hosted at MetLife in East Rutherford.
Free Watch Parties
If you’re looking for an affordable way to be a part of the World Cup coming to New Jersey, Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison will host a NYNJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub, a free fan experience where families can watch World Cup matches on a giant screen inside the stadium. The Fan Hub will be open on select dates during the tournament, including eight dates during the Group Stage and eight dates during the Knockout rounds. The experience will include live match broadcasts, live entertainment, fan activities and more. General admission tickets for Fan Hub days are free, but registration is required.
Fan Festivals
Five towns in North Jersey will host fan festivals: June 12 in Jersey City, June 14 in Overpeck Park in Bergen County, June 21 in Secaucus, June 24 in Newark, and June 26 in East Rutherford. For more on watch parties throughout the state, click here.
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