The tension between New York City and New Jersey’s partnership for this summer’s World Cup has taken a new twist, after New Jersey requested that signage be changed so that its name goes in front of New York’s on at least one side of the MetLife Stadium for the World Cup.
A joint host-city partnership between New York and New Jersey was established to host World Cup games at MetLife Stadium as far back as the bid book for the joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2018.
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was eventually awarded eight games, including the final, while it will also house four World Cup teams (Brazil, Senegal, Haiti and Morocco) at training bases during the tournament. The idea was to merge the power of New York’s global name and reputation with the infrastructure of New Jersey and it was decided that the name of the host committee would be New York New Jersey.
This included signage on the stadium, with MetLife’s name replaced during the tournament as FIFA’s agreement with host cities decrees that venues must be free from all commercial sponsors other than FIFA’s own.
The venue therefore became named as New York New Jersey Stadium for the duration of the tournament, including two large signs at the venue which makes this clear.
New York’s name has been placed in front of New Jersey for the stadium’s marketing during the tournament (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
‘Putting New Jersey first’
However, a request came from Governor Mikie Sherrill’s office to FIFA and the host committee that they wanted New Jersey’s role, investment and contribution to the World Cup to be better reflected, and her office wanted the name to be changed.
“I will always put New Jersey first, and I wanted to make sure the stadium hosting eight World Cup matches in our state did the same,” said Governor Sherrill.
“We are thrilled to welcome soccer fans from around the world this summer, and this recognition helps ensure the experience is just as exciting and memorable for New Jerseyans as it is for our visitors.”
As such, work is now underway to adjust the most prominent of the two signs at the stadium to New Jersey New York, rather than New York New Jersey. This sign is the one that fans will see as they exit the New Jersey Transit rail system as the stadium first comes into view.
New Jersey’s NJ Transit angered FIFA by setting round-trip rail tickets at $98 — after originally announcing a $150 price — in order to go from New York’s Pennsylvania Station to MetLife Stadium for FIFA World Cup games.
The 18-mile rail journey, which includes a stop at Secaucus station, ordinarily costs $12.90 for a return ticket, and FIFA claimed this pricing would have a “chilling effect”.
Since entering office in New Jersey, Gov. Sherrill has sought to reduce the burden on her taxpayers towards this World Cup.
FIFA originally made an agreement with host cities for transportation to games to be free for ticket holders — as it was in host nations Qatar in 2022 and Russia in 2018 — but after pressure from host cities, FIFA removed this requirement and agreed it should be done at cost.
The catch came this week when NJ Transit claimed their costs will be $48m — or $6m per game across the eight World Cup matches, including the final — and Sherrill declared that the cost will born by World Cup fans.
MetLife Stadium will host eight matches at the 2026 World Cup (Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Gov. Sherrill sought to redirect the blame for the sky-high transit tickets towards FIFA — claiming they should use their $11 billion revenue from the tournament to offset the costs.
She said: “In the agreement that my Administration inherited, FIFA put zero dollars towards transporting World Cup fans. In addition, it eliminated parking at MetLife Stadium, putting the burden of transporting four times more matchday riders than typical for an event at the stadium on NJ Transit.
“On top of extensive logistical considerations to ensure transportation is safe and efficient throughout the tournament — for regular commuters and FIFA ticket holders alike — this agreement will cost NJ Transit at least $48 million, while FIFA is positioned to make $11 billion during the World Cup.
“We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ Transit every day.”
Sherrill has said FIFA should help subsidise the transport costs to MetLife (Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)
According to documents seen by northjersey.com, New Jersey has already committed more than $300m through all spending associated with the World Cup, a claim which is not disputed by the governor’s office, although a substantial part of these costs could be considered to be long-term infrastructure improvements which will have benefits which run long beyond the tournament.
Mamdani’s commitment to New York City residents
This week, tension once again emerged after FIFA agreed to allow the joint host committee to let New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani ballot 1,000 tickets at $50 for games at MetLife Stadium — which will be distributed by ballot to local residents. However, the tickets will be available only to New York City residents, which led a spokesman for Gov. Sherrill to tell The Athletic: “FIFA not caring about costs for New Jersey residents isn’t new.”
Mamdani campaigned for New York residents to be given greater access to the 2026 World Cup (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The tickets came from the host committee’s allocation and were subsidized by the committee, which is a non-profit which relies on a mix of public money, private donations and sponsorships. While Mamdani secured an allocation for New Yorkers, it is not the same for residents of New Jersey, where it was not requested by political leaders, who prioritized assistance for local commuters and the offering was not made by FIFA across cities.
The region’s host committee has, however, provided substantial financial support — over $3.5m – to help with the costs of New Jersey commuters impacted by World Cup disruption during the tournament.
The spokesperson for Gov. Sherrill added on Thursday: “Governor Sherrill is working hard to lower costs on our own, including securing $3.6m to discount tickets for NJ Transit riders whose commutes are impacted by the World Cup games, and why we are maximizing the economic benefits and excitement of the games throughout the State.”
