As the FIFA World Cup brings the eyes of the world to North America, Newark is staking its claim as a premier soccer destination with the launch of the Newark Fan Village, a vibrant, community-curated hub located in the heart of the city’s historic Ironbound section.
Created by Kreshnik Berisha, a 2024 Rutgers University–Newark Global Affairs alumnus and head of the Sihana Hospitality Group, the village is designed to reflect the Ironbound’s multicultural identity. Situated in the parking lot of the former Iberia Tavern & Restaurant, the Fan Village aims to be more than a viewing venue; it is an inclusive, soulful space built by the community, for the community.
The Ironbound neighborhood, long known for its deep-rooted Portuguese, Brazilian, and Latin American populations, is arguably the most passionate soccer enclave in the state.
“Soccer speaks to people the way food speaks to people,” Berisha said. “It’s a point of connection that’s very seamless. It happens organically and naturally.”
This past week, the Fan Village has been hosting daily watch parties on two massive screens. Beyond the matches, the site features a marketplace highlighting diverse local culinary traditions—including Brazilian, Ecuadorian, Mexican, Spanish, and Italian cuisine—alongside DJs, comedy performances, and cultural programming organized in partnership with NJPAC. The festivities continue through July 19.
For Berisha, who grew up in Linden and developed a deep affinity for Newark as a teenager, the Fan Village is the latest chapter in his commitment to the city. Through his Sihana Hospitality Group, he has already established a presence in the local business landscape with venues like Five Corners Ristorante, Sihana Café, and Sihana Bistro.
Berisha credits his master’s degree from Rutgers–Newark with providing the essential tools to navigate the complex logistics of an international event.
“The skills I developed are instrumental when you’re putting together a festival like this,” Berisha noted, citing the ability to build partnerships and navigate institutional bureaucracy. “It was a very fulfilling time, intellectually enriching. It helped with the work I’m doing here in Newark.”
The university has stepped up as a major sponsor, viewing the Fan Village as an extension of its own identity as a diverse, globally connected institution.
“Soccer unites people across continents, languages and cultures, and that spirit of global connection mirrors who we are as an institution,” Rutgers University–Newark Chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson, said. “We are honored to celebrate it alongside our community on this global stage.”
Arcelio Aponte, Rutgers–Newark chief financial officer and senior vice chancellor for Finance and Administration, added that the event’s location in the city’s “backyard” offers a perfect opportunity to provide institutional support for the neighborhood’s growth.
For Berisha, the project is ultimately about elevating Newark’s rich legacy of arts and culture, using “the beautiful game” as a catalyst for unity. As he puts it, Newark is a “global village,” and this summer, that village is inviting the rest of the world to celebrate with it.
