Nearly two dozen huge screens showing the matches. Up to 45,000 people watching them. All in front of the Statue of Liberty and one of the most iconic skylines in the world.
When the New York/New Jersey Host Committee for the FIFA 2026 World Cup officially announced Liberty State Park as the home of the Fan Festival, they showed all the reasons why it was the perfect place.
Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry said the Fan Festival will serve as a central point for the event — a meeting place for the thousands who are unable to get inside the stadium for matches.
“Liberty State Park offers a landmark setting and reflects the scale and energy of the region,” he said. “This isn’t just about watching matches, it’s about celebrating the game, showcasing what makes NYNJ special, and creating lasting impact for our communities, partners and millions of fans.”
Including Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy, who chairs the Host Committee’s board of directors.
The governor said he and his family intend to go the Fan Festival — as they have done at other big events.
“When we’re not at Met Life, we’ll be here,” he said. “We’ve done that in prior big tournaments, and FanFests, when they’re done well, are just extraordinary. This will be no exception.”
Live Nation, one of the world’s leading live entertainment companies, in partnership with DPS, will produce the 39-day event — which will take place whether or not there are matches at MetLife Stadium or any other stadium across North America.
Live Nation intends to present a number of concerts on non-match (“Rest Days”) days, creating marquee moments that celebrate the intersection of soccer, music, and culture.
Wednesday afternoon was all about creating excitement for the event, now one year out.
Tammy Murphy announced the host committee will be launching a Skyline to Shoreline Road Tour — what they are calling a mobile fan experience that will travel across New York and New Jersey this summer.
The tour will feature soccer zones, music, giveaways, and community storytelling, the tour will appear at festivals, parks, and neighborhood events through Labor Day 2025. Host committee officials say the tour is the first wave of a summer-long celebration that also includes bold visual takeovers across the region.
Pulling off big events is not easy.
At the World Cup, the biggest concern — after security — is transportation.
Lasry said the committee understands the issue – both helping fans get to the matches and the Fan Fest and preventing those already in the area from suffering too much disruption.
And while Lasry said the plan won’t be released until later this year or early next year, he feels the area already has a head start in the progress.
“One of the parts that makes our region so unique is that there’s already a transit plan,” he said. “There’s public transportation to get everywhere. We’re going to have a supplemental bus system. We’re going to have ride share.
“Public transportation is going to play a big role, and it’s part of the crown jewel of what’s going to make the World Cup successful.”
And safe?
Murphy said the state already is working on plans with federal officials to ensure safety for fans. That starts with allowing them simply to come here.
Iran, the first time to qualify, is on a restricted entry list.
Murphy said he feels the World Cup will not be impacted by any immigration issues – and that President Trump has said as much.
“Anybody who qualifies based on everything I know is going to be welcome, whether their games are in the United States, Canada or Mexico,” he said.
Murphy also said addressed recent comments by Vice President J.D. Vance, who warned about visitors overstaying their welcome.
“I can’t speak for the for the administration or the vice president, but I’m a hugely optimistic that this is going to be a blowout success and a safe World Cup,” he said.
