As New Jersey prepares to host eight matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — including the final on July 19 — PSEG is stepping in as a supporter, pledging to power the global event across the communities it serves.
The company’s role may be largely invisible to fans, but it is critical to the logistics of an event that will draw millions of visitors to the region — and put New Jersey in the spotlight for a global TV audience that will be in the billions.
To be sure, PSEG already has invested heavily in strengthening its grid, modernizing technology and fortifying infrastructure across its service territory. Those upgrades are designed not only to support everyday life but also to handle extraordinary events, such as the Club World Cup last summer and the Super Bowl back in 2014.
PSEG said it welcomes the opportunity.
“We take pride in powering the world’s game,” PSEG SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer Sheila Rostiac told BINJE.
“We’re doing that in a variety of ways, certainly at MetLife Stadium, but there also is going to be an extraordinary amount of activity that’s going to happen throughout the state.
There will be so many local initiatives that are going to need extra power, such as fan events and locations where teams will be practicing.
“We’re eager to do our part.”
Those events include the FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ that will take place at Liberty State Park in Jersey City throughout the tournament.
Preparations for the World Cup began in earnest in early 2024, but PSEG executives say the groundwork stretches back more than a decade. Hosting an event of this scale requires coordination across multiple divisions, from electric and gas operations to corporate security, regulatory affairs, customer care and regional public affairs.
The company tested its procedures during the Club World Cup, refining its approach to ensure the full tournament runs smoothly.
Beyond the stadium, PSEG’s responsibilities will extend to town‑wide celebrations. Additional electric service requests are already flowing through the company’s divisions to support venues that will host gatherings tied to the tournament, company officials said.
The company says its presence at these events is not just about keeping the power on but also about engaging directly with residents, sharing information about affordability programs, energy efficiency and customer assistance.
PSEG officials also said the company will be part of the program that brings new soccer pitches to communities around the state.
“We think of this as a community-level partnership, one that enhances so much of what we already do in the communities we serve,” Rostiac said.
The World Cup has been projected to provide a $3.3-billion-dollar economic impact to the region, including more than 25,000 jobs. PSEG feels the investments it has made in recent years will help maximize that impact.
Over the past decade, the company has poured $30 billion into utility infrastructure, with nearly three‑quarters of that dedicated to reliability and resiliency, company officials said.
Even more, the company feels the work, which has included dozens of initiatives to upgrade transmission facilities and distribution systems, along with modernizing technology platforms, will continue to benefit the state long after tournament ends.
Rostiac frames the company’s role in the World Cup as an effort that resonates with the vision and the mission of the company in its broader commitment to New Jersey communities.
“We’re ready to power the world’s game,” she said.
