It’s factual to say Goya Presents Flag Cities, a series being produced in partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health, will be New Jersey’s premier World Cup fan festival series.
It’s necessary to say that, thanks to a grant from Choose New Jersey through the N.J. Economic Development Authority, the series was able to add two more locations, increasing the number of events to seven.
And it’s fun to say the series will now feature the Village People and Soulja Boy.
But here’s what really needs to be said: Goya Presents Flag Cities was not just something that popped up after the state decided to cancel the big Fan Festival event that was set for Liberty State Park.
The Flag Cities series, the brainchild of Meadowlands CEO Jim Kirkos and Axiom Communications founder Ron Simoncini, is an example of business planning done right.
The concept was first mentioned back in June 2024, when a special committee meeting of the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee was held at MetLife Stadium.
That was two years before the first FIFA 2026 World Cup match will be played there — and 10 years after the Super Bowl came to MetLife Stadium, an event that did not bring the hoped-for economic impact.
“We wanted to make sure that the municipalities around MetLife Stadium would be able to take advantage of the World Cup,” Kirkos said. “And we knew if we waited for suggestions and programs to come to us — we’d still be waiting.”
Simoncini agreed.
“The key to taking advantage of big events is taking charge of your future,” he said. “Jim and I sat down years ago and came up with a plan to help the area.
“We’re grateful that the state is helping us with additional funding, but Goya Presents Flag Cities was going to take place regardless. We spent years getting ready.”
Goya Presents Flag Cities events will take place around North Jersey, with all but one being held the day before a match is played at MetLife Stadium. (The event on July 3 is two days before a match; it was moved up a day so it would not compete with Fourth of July activities.)
Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children. But please note, thanks to the support of JCT Solutions and Colliers Engineering & Design, the June 12 Jersey City kickoff event will be free to the public.
Produced by Axiom Communications on behalf of the Meadowlands Chamber and in partnership with Bergen County, Hudson County, the City of Newark, Jersey City, Bayonne, Paterson and the Borough of East Rutherford, Flag Cities has quickly emerged as the state’s premier professionally produced World Cup celebration platform.
Each event will feature live entertainment, DJs, giant LED screens broadcasting World Cup matches, food trucks and beverage vendors, beer gardens, kids’ soccer zones, shopping vendors, cultural activations and immersive fan programming celebrating participating nations.
Newly announced sponsors supporting the event series include:
- Hackensack Meridian Health
- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
- JCT Solutions
- Colliers Engineering & Design
- RevNJ
- Volo Sports
- Fox Fence
These organizations join existing sponsors including Goya Foods, NJ Transit and Diageo.
Newly announced event partners include:
- American Dream
- New York Cosmos
Previously announced partners include New Jersey Youth Soccer and Table to Table.
“Flag Cities started as a vision to create community-centered celebrations around the World Cup, and it has evolved into a major regional event series that will bring together residents, tourists, businesses and fans from around the world,” Kirkos said. “The support from the state, our host communities, sponsors and partners has allowed us to build something truly special for New Jersey.”
The sponsors are thrilled to be a part of the event.
“As New Jersey prepares to welcome the world, Hackensack Meridian Health is proud to support an event series that celebrates community, culture and connection,” Jose Lozano, chief growth officer for Hackensack Meridian Health, said. “Flag Cities represents an exciting opportunity to bring people together in a safe, engaging and meaningful way.”
Uli Diaz, senior vice president, government & community affairs, agreed.
“Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield is excited to support Flag Cities and the positive energy these events will bring to communities across our state,” he said. “The World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Jersey, and we are proud to be part of an event series that will engage families, fans and local businesses throughout the region.”
Bergen County Executive James Tedesco III stressed the economic impact.
“Flag Cities is about making sure the excitement and economic impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are felt throughout Northern New Jersey, not just inside MetLife Stadium,” he said. “These events will bring people together, support local businesses, celebrate the incredible diversity of our communities and give residents and visitors alike the chance to experience the energy of the World Cup right here at home.”
In advance of the event series, Flag Cities will host the Summer Soccer Celebration on June 8 in partnership with American Dream, bringing together host communities, elected officials, tourism leaders, sponsors and World Cup stakeholders from across the region.
The event will serve as a ceremonial launch of the Flag Cities series and mark the official countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at MetLife Stadium, featuring special guests, entertainment and additional announcements as New Jersey prepares to welcome the world.
