WELCOME TO THE WORLD CUP COMMUNITY
ACTIVATION GUIDE
The 2026 World CupTM is coming to North America, with Philadelphia and the Meadowlands as key host locations. This presents a rare chance for South Jersey communities to engage locals, attract visitors, and boost the economy through soccer’s global excitement.
This guide helps mayors and community leaders turn the tournament buzz into action with practical tips, event ideas, and strategies to create unforgettable experiences. From viewing parties to cultural festivals, the Championship is a chance to showcase your town and bring people together.
KEY MATCH DATES 2026
PHILADELPHIA–LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD
KEY MATCH DATES 2026
MEADOWLANDS–METLIFE STADIUM
The 2026 World CupTM is more than just a soccer tournament—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for South Jersey. With millions of fans traveling to North America, this is your chance to showcase your community, attract visitors, and drive lasting economic growth.
THE BENEFITS
The World Cup™ brings an influx of visitors, driving traffic to local restaurants, hotels, and shops.
The event creates new job opportunities in hospitality, event management, and security that will directly benefit your residents.
South Jersey will see an increase in out-of-state and international visitors who will spend money and explore your community.
Boost your town’s visibility on the world stage, attracting future tourism and business investment long after the tournament ends.
Foster connections between local businesses and global partners, setting the stage for continued collaboration and economic growth.
Inspire local youth and residents to stay active through soccer clinics, tournaments, and outdoor events.
The 2026 World Cup™ is more than a global sporting event—it’s a once- in-a-generation opportunity for South Jersey. With matches in nearby Philadelphia and the Meadowlands, our region is perfectly positioned to become a welcoming hub for fans, businesses, and visitors from around the world. By working together, we can turn this moment into lasting economic growth, regional pride, and a legacy that puts South Jersey on the global map.
Positioned at the heart of the action between Philly & NYC, South Jersey offers visitors affordable stays, easy transit, and a welcoming communities.
From beaches and wineries to historic sites and outdoor adventures, South Jersey offers more reasons for visitors to stay and explore.
Blend Fourth of July celebrations with the World Cup™ excitement to create unforgettable events for visitors and residents.
Farm-to-table dining, fresh seafood, craft breweries, and vibrant small-town main streets make every visit memorable.
From historic theaters and live music venues to vibrant art galleries and cultural festivals, South Jersey is alive with creativity.
Investing in fan-friendly spaces, community events, and local sports initiatives will strengthen South Jersey’s economy and culture beyond 2026.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ provides a unique opportunity for community leaders to connect with their neighborhoods, boost local involvement, and create lasting memories for residents of all ages. Here’s how you can use this event to directly engage your community:
Use the World CupTM excitement to inspire the next generation of soccer players. Work with local schools, youth leagues, and soccer clubs to host mini-tournaments or World Cup-inspired events. These activities can help foster community spirit and create a fun, healthy outlet for young people to get involved in the excitement.
Encourage local businesses to host World CupTM-themed shopping events, sales, or promotions. Organize a “World CupTM Weekend” where stores, restaurants, and shops offer discounts, special items, or limited-edition products inspired by the teams or countries participating. This will help drive foot traffic to local businesses while creating excitement for both residents and visitors.
Organize cultural festivals that celebrate the diversity of the World CupTM participants. Work with local artists, musicians, and food vendors to host events that highlight the cultures of different countries. These festivals could feature international music, dance, and cuisine, giving residents the opportunity to experience the World CupTM from a global perspective, right in their hometown.
Host community soccer events or viewing parties where locals can watch the games together. You could also coordinate with local schools, community centers, and businesses to sponsor soccer clinics or fun runs that engage people of all ages. These events will foster a sense of excitement, pride, and togetherness in the lead-up to the tournament.
Use the World CupTM as a reason to highlight local parks, historical sites, and attractions. Create special events at these locations, like soccer-themed hikes, outdoor movie nights, or park festivals celebrating the international teams. Partner with local tourism services to provide guided tours or special events for residents and visitors alike.
Work with local hotels and tourism services to offer World CupTM-themed packages that encourage both residents and visitors to explore South Jersey. Provide local discounts, guided tours, or special offers that allow families to enjoy the local sights and connect with the global World CupTM energy.
PLAN AHEAD & BE READY FOR THE WORLD CUPTM
With the World Cup™ on the horizon, now’s the time to think ahead. From traffic planning to community events, a little preparation can go a long way in helping your town make the most of the moment.
Consider planning for higher traffic volumes around key venues, accommodations, and attractions. Work with local businesses to ensure ample parking and plan for efficient traffic management. You might also want to explore shuttle services to and from major events to keep things moving smoothly.
Prepare for increased demand on public transit and local transportation. Expanding bus routes, providing additional signage, or creating dedicated transportation options for key venues could help keep the flow of people manageable and efficient.
As fans from around the world arrive, it’s helpful to make sure that businesses, residents, and local services are equipped to meet diverse needs. Think about offering information or resources to help visitors with language barriers, and encourage businesses to prepare for an international audience by ensuring accessibility and cultural sensitivity in customer service.
Consider planning for higher traffic volumes around key venues, accommodations, and attractions. Work with local businesses to ensure ample parking and plan for efficient traffic management. You might also want to explore shuttle services to and from major events to keep things moving smoothly.
Local businesses may want to consider
extending hours, offering World CupTM-themed promotions, or setting up special packages for visitors. This is also a great time to highlight local attractions and encourage tourists to explore South Jersey beyond the games.
Encourage local events or festivals that
highlight South Jersey’s culture, history, and attractions. These could complement the World CupTM excitement and offer visitors a deeper experience of the region, all while showcasing what makes South Jersey unique.
Visit South Jersey is the go-to resource for promoting events, attractions, and businesses across the region. As your community plans it’s tournament-related activations, Visit South Jersey can help maximize exposure and drive attendance by:
Featuring events on VisitSouthJersey.com, social media, and email campaigns to reach a broad audience.
Connecting towns with local and national media outlets to highlight their activations.
Helping communities align their efforts for bigger, more impactful celebrations.
Linking local businesses, hotels, and attractions to create special offers and packages for visitors.
Providing travel guides, itineraries, and insider tips to enhance the fan experience in South Jersey.
By working with Visit South Jersey, communities can boost visibility, attract more visitors, and create unforgettable experiences that celebrate the spirit of the Championship while showcasing the best of South Jersey!
2026 WORLD CUPTM IMPACT ON SOUTH JERSEY
The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ isn’t just about soccer—it’s about economic growth, business expansion, and long-term regional benefits. With Philadelphia hosting six matches and the Meadowlands hosting the final, the Greater South Jersey area is in a prime position to capitalize on the tournament’s massive influx of visitors, media attention, and business investment.
6 FIFA World CupTM matches in Philadelphia will draw 500,000 visitors, and 1 Million Visitors in NJ/NY, South Jersey will benefit from increased tourism and hotel overflow as visitors travel through or stay in the area.
Local businesses may want to consider
extending hours, offering World CupTM-themed promotions, or setting up special packages for visitors. This is also a great time to highlight local attractions and encourage tourists to explore South Jersey beyond the games.
Encourage local events or festivals that
highlight South Jersey’s culture, history, and attractions. These could complement the World CupTM excitement and offer visitors a deeper experience of the region, all while showcasing what makes South Jersey unique.
Consider planning for higher traffic volumes around key venues, accommodations, and attractions. Work with local businesses to ensure ample parking and plan for efficient traffic management. You might also want to explore shuttle services to and from major events to keep things moving smoothly.
Local businesses may want to consider
extending hours, offering World CupTM-themed promotions, or setting up special packages for visitors. This is also a great time to highlight local attractions and encourage tourists to explore South Jersey beyond the games.