Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Thursday announced that New Jersey is cancelling a Jersey City-based World Cup festival and redistributing that event’s $5 million to watch parties and fan zones across the state.
The Liberty State Park Fan Festival, which entertainment company Live Nation had been set to produce, will not move forward. The move, first reported by BINJE, will transfer the grants to communities across the state to host anything from local watch parties to grand street festivals.
Sherrill and other state officials said the transfer of funds will allow the state to maximize the statewide economic benefits of hosting a series of World Cup matches.
“New Jersey is the beating heart of the 2026 World Cup, and this initiative makes sure that every New Jerseyan — no matter where they live — can be part of this once-in-a-generation moment,” said Governor Sherrill. “From fan zones to neighborhood watch parties to street fairs, we are investing in the communities and small businesses that make New Jersey extraordinary.”
Sherrill’s announcement did not address the cancellation of the Liberty State Park festival, including why that decision was made. The World Cup starts in June, meaning the Sherrill administration will have to move fast to receive applications and distribute the grants.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will lead the statewide grant project.
Tickets for the Liberty State Park Fest had been going for $12 in the opening week.
State Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge), a Bergen County Democrat, praised the change in plans on Thursday.
“The World Cup will be a world-class sporting event that will generate the excitement of residents throughout the state,” Sarlo said in a release. “Using these resources for watch parties, street fairs and cultural festivals in a greater number of communities will allow more people in more places to participate. It will also spread the economic benefits to small businesses, nonprofits and local cultural organizations. New Jersey will be on the world stage, and this will allow more communities to share the spotlight.”
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will host eight World Cup matches this summer, including the final. New Jersey legislators have invested millions into World Cup operations, security, marketing, and related economic efforts. (Though FIFA organizers, looking to build off the Big Apple’s clout, have labeled the MetLife competitions the “New York New Jersey” site.)
