To whom it may concern:
I’m writing to share my recent experience attending the Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund Club World Cup match Saturday at MetLife Stadium — a day that was meant to be filled with excitement and international sportsmanship but ended in frustration and disappointment.
I left my home in New Jersey with over two hours to spare before kickoff, a buffer that has always sufficed for events at this venue. However, the traffic congestion near Turnpike Exit 16 was catastrophic. It took more than two hours just to reach the toll area. Once there, we were redirected away from the designated parking lot under claims that it was full, only to find every alternative route blocked or gridlocked.
The situation worsened with no clear guidance from event staff or law enforcement. Numerous officers and state troopers were visibly present — but stationary. No one seemed to be managing or mitigating the growing chaos. As a result, I remained stuck in traffic through the entirety of the match. What was supposed to be a timely arrival turned into a complete miss of the event. I didn’t even get back on the Turnpike until 10 to 15 minutes after the game ended.
What alarms me most is the larger implication of this experience. MetLife Stadium is set to host the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — one of the most watched and globally significant sporting events. If we were unable to efficiently manage traffic and crowd control for a single club match, how can we expect to handle the influx of millions for the World Cup?
As a New Jersey resident who has attended many concerts and games at this very venue, I have never experienced anything of this magnitude. The traffic was not only unmanageable but dangerous and disorganized. And this was just for a domestic event. Many cars were from out of state — what impression did we leave on those fans?
I later watched a replay of the game on television and noticed a surprising number of empty seats. It became clear that I was not alone — many others likely shared my experience, unable to even reach the stadium in time.
This isn’t just about a missed game. It’s about our readiness to serve a world stage. We need serious planning, transparent communication, and efficient execution to ensure the 2026 World Cup is a success — not a fiasco.
Luis De La Hoz is the chairman of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and one of the co-creators of the 2026 World Cup Reference Guide. He has been a leading figure in helping small businesses prepare for next summer’s global event.
