CAMDEN COUNTY, N.J. — New Jersey officials announced Tuesday that $5 million in state grants will be distributed to dozens of organizations across the state to create fan zones, watch parties, festivals, and community events tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Governor Mikie Sherrill joined representatives from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee, and Choose New Jersey to unveil the initiative, which is designed to spread the economic impact and excitement of the tournament beyond stadium venues.
The funding will support 34 organizations hosting public events and fan experiences in communities throughout North, Central, and South Jersey ahead of and during the World Cup.
Statewide Community Experiences:
AACCNJ World Cup Business Access & Economic Activation Initiative (July 17), African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Trenton
The Battle of Basking Ridge Soccer Village & Viewing Party (June 13), County of Somerset, Bernards Township
Watch Party Combined with Atlantic City Beach Fest (Latin Fest) (July 18–19), Visit Atlantic City, Atlantic City
World Cup 2026 Watch Parties (June 19; June 24; June 28; July 15; July 19), Borough of Fort Lee, Fort Lee
Downtown Viewing Event (July 19), Greater Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, Asbury Park
Freedom to Play: Inclusive World Cup Soccer Experience at The NAACP Juneteenth Freedom Experience (June 6), McCovic Foundation, Edison
Game On! (June 12; July 12), Urban League of Union County, Elizabeth and Union
Hackettstown Street Fair with World Cup Celebration (July 19), Hackettstown Business Improvement District, Hackettstown
The Halfway Point: Flemington’s World Cup Celebration (June 19), Flemington Improvement District, Flemington
Hoboken Arts and Music Festival (May 17; September 27), City of Hoboken, Hoboken
Hub City Fan Celebration 2026 (July 2), City of New Brunswick—The Department of Human and Community Services, New Brunswick
International Food & Dance Festival (July 12), Lackawanna Montclair Market LLC, Montclair
Ivy Hill Soccer Fest 2026 (May 23; June 19–20; July 9–12), Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association, Newark
Linden Welcomes the World: World Cup Activation Series (June 13–19), Uptown Linden Special Improvement District, Linden
Maplewoodstock (July 11–12), Music & Arts Education Project, Inc., Maplewood
Mount Holly World Cup Downtown Activation Series (June 19-20), Mount Holly UEZ, Mount Holly
New Jersey Youth Mini World Cup 2026 – Trenton Host City Activation (June 20), The United States Latino Affairs Initiatives, Trenton
Ocean County World Cup Watch Parties (June 14, 19; July 19), Ocean County Public Affairs Division of Business Development and Tourism, Little Egg Harbor Township, Jackson Township, and Lakewood
Passport to Paterson: A World Cup Experience (June 13; June 19; June 25; June 27; July 19), Andre Sayegh Civic Association, Paterson
Red Bank World Cup Activation Series (June–July), Borough of Red Bank, Red Bank
Saturday Heights LIVE Watch Party (June 13), HIP INC., Haddon Heights
Summer of Soccer & Science (June 6–July 19; June 17; June 24; July 9), Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Tri-County Fair 2026 (June 18–21), CARE Center of New Jersey, Rockaway
Carteret World Cup Festival (June 11–July 19), Carteret Business Partnership, Carteret
Newark International Food Festival (July 18), Newark Alliance, Newark
Union City Soccer Festival & Fan Celebration (June 13), City of Union City in collaboration with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Union City
Welcome World! Princeton’s Global Food Festival & World Cup Watch Parties 2026 (June 20; June 28; July 14), Experience Princeton, Princeton
The World on Central (July 10–11), City of Jersey City, Jersey City
WorldCupGardenState.com Esports Tournament (June–July), Esports Innovation Center, Atlantic City, Glassboro, Newark
World Cup on the Waterfront at Food Truck Tuesdays (June 9; June 23; July 14), Main Street Burlington, Burlington
World Cup Watch Party & Cultural Festival (June 27), Somerset County Business Partnership, Hillsborough
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase New Jersey on the global stage, and we want to make sure all New Jerseyans can join in on the festivities,” Sherrill said. “These grants will help ensure that the benefits of hosting the World Cup extend beyond the walls of the stadium.”
Officials said the program aims to boost tourism, drive traffic to local downtowns, and support small businesses by creating localized celebrations tied to the international tournament.
Large-scale regional events receiving funding include the “Flag Cities” activation led by the Meadowlands Regional Chamber & CVB, which will host events across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties, along with the North to Shore Festival and Visit South Jersey’s Camden County activations.
Smaller community events funded through the program include watch parties, cultural festivals, food fairs, soccer-themed events, and esports tournaments in cities including Newark, Jersey City, Atlantic City, Hoboken, Paterson, Trenton, Princeton, and Lakewood.
Ocean County will host multiple World Cup watch parties in Little Egg Harbor Township, Jackson Township, and Lakewood through the county’s Division of Business Development and Tourism.
Officials said all grant-funded events will also connect with the NYNJ Host Committee’s “Welcome World Rewards Program,” a digital platform allowing fans to earn points redeemable for merchandise, experiences, and FIFA World Cup 2026 match tickets by visiting participating destinations and businesses throughout the region.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will bring matches to the New York-New Jersey region, with MetLife Stadium serving as one of the tournament’s host venues.