Sports Illustrated, once a ubiquitous presence at every major sporting event in the world, took a step toward to that goal again when it announced Monday that it has become the official fan experience supporter of the NY/NJ Host Committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“The World Cup is a once in a lifetime moment for millions of fans, and this partnership reflects SI’s commitment to elevating how fans experience the world’s biggest sports events,” Sports Illustrated CEO David Lane posted on LinkedIn.
Lane detailed the partnership.
“At the FIFA Fan Festival NY/NJ, Sports Illustrated will deploy immersive fan activations like our SI Defining Moments, which features historic covers and stories on exhibit from the publication’s history of coverage,” he wrote. “We will also include our SI Fan Covers, which allows fans to make personalized SI covers and capture the moments they experienced at the 2026 World Cup.”
Sports Illustrated has the naming rights to the soccer-specific stadium in Harrison that is home to the Red Bulls of MLS and has hosted many top international matches. It is unclear how or if that facility will be used during the World Cup (though Sports Illustrated has no say in its scheduling).
What is clear is that Sports Illustrated is joining a growing list of supporters for the NY/NJ Host Committee.
Bristol Myers Squibb, PSEG, Hackensack Meridian Health have all pledged support, joining Onyx Equities, which was the first New Jersey company to sign up.
Airbnb and the New York law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP also have pledged support.
Lane said he is eager to join the team.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the NY/NJ Host Committee, Alex Lasry, Fred Mangione and the 1,000’s that will be working this summer to give fans a once in a lifetime experience,” he wrote.
