Soccer fans who purchased tickets for the advertised Fan Fest ahead of the World Cup may be calling foul.
In a rather shocking move for tri-state soccer fans, the fan fest initially scheduled to take place at Liberty State Park in Jersey City during the 2026 World Cup, has been canceled, a source familiar with the matter tells NBC New York and sister station Telemundo 47.
Instead, the state is allocating $5million to support community initiatives for fans.
“The Jersey City venue is no longer being utilized,” a spokesperson for the governor said in a statement. “Instead, Gov. Sherrill is creating a program to bring the excitement of the World Cup to communities throughout New Jersey.
The initiative, a partnership between New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the FIFA World Cup 26 New York New Jersey Host Committee, will bring fan experiences to communities across the state “while investing in small businesses, cultural associations, and community nonprofits.”
“New Jersey is the beating heart of the 2026 World Cup, and this initiative makes sure that every New Jerseyan — no matter where they live — can be part of this once-in-a-generation moment,” Sherrill said in a statement. “From fan zones to neighborhood watch parties to street fairs, we are investing in the communities and small businesses that make New Jersey extraordinary. The World Cup is coming to our state — and we are going to make sure it belongs to New Jerseyans first.”
According to the state, the initiative will prioritize supporting fan events that “are high-impact, beneficial to small businesses, and reflective of the rich and diverse cultures that will be represented by competing World Cup nations — many of which have deep roots in communities across New Jersey.”
Initially, the plan, announced roughly a year ago, was for the fan fest at Liberty State Park to be open for all 104 games of the 2026 World Cup.
Fan fests with large video screens have been a part of each World Cup’s organization since 2006.
“That is going to be the one fan fest, I believe, across the country that is going to be up and running for all games of the World Cup as opposed to just the games that are happening in our region,” Tammy Murphy, wife of of then New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and chair of the New York/New Jersey host committee’s directors, said previously at the time the fan fest was announced.
The World Cup will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The tournament, expanded to 48 nations from 32, opens June 11 in Mexico City and the final will be July 19 at East Rutherford, New Jersey. Games will be played at 11 U.S. venues, three in Mexico and two in Canada, with all matches in the U.S. from the quarterfinals on.
Tickets already purchased for the Liberty State Park Fan Fest will be refunded, a source tells NBC New York and Telemundo 47.
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