Everything You Need to Know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Stadium History, Capacity, Infrastructure, Renovations, Past Events, Design, Features, Weather, ticket and more.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19, 2026. This iconic venue has been selected as the centerpiece of what will be the first World Cup held across three nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
MetLife Stadium is located at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of New York City.
The venue’s proximity to the New York metropolitan area was a significant factor in FIFA’s decision to select it as the final host, offering easy access to world-class entertainment, dining, shopping, and attractions. For the duration of the tournament, FIFA will refer to the venue as “New York New Jersey Stadium” due to sponsorship policies.
MetLife Stadium – 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Stadium Information
Table of Contents
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in 16 stadiums across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is one of them and will host multiple matches during the tournament.
Stadium Capacity and Infrastructure
MetLife Stadium boasts a seating capacity of 82,500, making it one of the largest and most versatile venues in North America. The stadium covers 2.1 million square feet and features state-of-the-art facilities designed to accommodate both American football and soccer.
The venue includes over 10,005 club seats and approximately 218 luxury suites spread across four separate levels, each offering 16 to 24 seats.
The stadium is equipped with four massive HD video boards measuring 9.1 by 35 meters positioned at each corner of the upper deck, ensuring every fan can follow the action no matter their seating location.
Additionally, ten giant HD LED pylons at the north, south, east, and west entrances measure approximately 16 meters tall and 6.1 meters wide. The venue also features 2,100 HD screens throughout, enabling fans to track the action from virtually any location.[4][5]
Field Dimensions and Renovations
The playing field at MetLife Stadium measures 105 x 68 meters, which meets FIFA’s international standards. To accommodate the expanded field requirements for soccer and maintain the current seating capacity, FIFA approved significant renovations beginning in January 2024.
Phase I was completed in May 2024, with Phase II scheduled for January to May 2025. The renovation involved demolishing and replacing four corners of the existing seating bowl with a new modular steel composite seating system, with 1,740 permanent seats removed from the corners.
These modifications allow the stadium to maintain its NFL configuration while meeting World Cup specifications.
Historical Significance and Past Events
Since opening on April 10, 2010, MetLife Stadium has been the shared home of both the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League, making it unique as one of only two NFL stadiums home to two teams.
The stadium was constructed for $1.6 billion, making it the most expensive stadium built in the United States at that time.
The venue has hosted numerous major sporting and entertainment events, including:
- Super Bowl XLVIII (February 2, 2014) – The first cold-weather, open-air Super Bowl, where the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8
- Copa América Centenario final (2016)
- 2025 FIFA Club World Cup – Including the final won by Chelsea against Paris Saint-Germain (July 13, 2025).
- WrestleMania 29 (April 7, 2013) with 80,676 spectators, the third most-attended event in WWE history[7]
- WrestleMania 35 (April 7, 2019) with 82,265 attendees[7]
- First-ever two-night SummerSlam (August 2–3, 2025) with 113,722 fans, the best SummerSlam in WWE history.
- International soccer matches featuring teams like Manchester United, Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Chelsea
The stadium also hosted numerous concerts by world-renowned artists, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones.
Design and Architectural Features
MetLife Stadium was designed by 360 Architects, Ewing Cole, and David Rockwell, representing a harmonious blend of modern engineering and architectural innovation. The stadium features a distinctive exterior with a limestone-style base, aluminum louvers, and a glass façade that creates a striking visual presence.
Unique to the venue is its ability to change its entire internal lighting scheme within hours—blue for the Giants and green for the Jets—allowing the stadium to seamlessly transition between the two teams.
The stadium’s seating bowl is designed with an optimal rake angle that eliminates overhanging upper decks, providing unobstructed views for all fans.
Front-row seats are positioned just 46 feet (14 meters) from the sideline, the shortest distance among all NFL stadiums. This design ensures fans can see the full arc of a 90-foot punt, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
Transportation and Accessibility
MetLife Stadium offers excellent public transportation connectivity, which was a determining factor in its selection for the World Cup final.
The venue has rail access from Secaucus Junction, with the Meadowlands Rail Line providing shuttle train service to the stadium. Additionally, a new $35 million busway is being constructed to transport attendees from Secaucus Junction, the nearest major transit hub. This investment reflects FIFA’s commitment to sustainable and accessible transportation options for the tournament.
For visitors driving to the venue, parking opens five hours before events and closes two hours after completion. Accessible parking for guests with disabilities is available in Lots E, F, and G with valid ADA license plates or hang tags.
The stadium complex provides multiple drop-off and pick-up spots, with general event parking located between lots D and E free of charge.
Amenities and Dining
MetLife Stadium offers comprehensive dining and entertainment options throughout the venue. The stadium features diverse food options including Gluten Free, Vegetarian, and Kosher items.
Multiple restaurants, bars, and concession stands are strategically located throughout the concourses to serve fans’ dining preferences.
The venue also provides Mamava nursing pods in multiple locations for nursing mothers, including lobbies and concourse areas, accessible by key code from Guest Services Team Members.
Fan Experience and Amenities
The stadium is committed to providing an exceptional fan experience with 200+ luxury suites, numerous club seats including the EY Coaches Club, Corona Beach Club, West Mezzanine Club, Commissioners Club, and MetLife 50 Club.
These premium seating areas feature dedicated club lounges designed by the David Rockwell Group, offering enhanced amenities and service levels.
World Cup 2026 Schedule
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have 104 scheduled matches of the usual 64 in the group stage, with an extra knockout round added following the earlier decision to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 teams.
MetLife Stadium will host eight World Cup matches, including the final:
- Five group stage matches
- Two knockout round matches
- The World Cup Final on July 19, 2026
The specific match schedule will be announced following the Final Draw in December 2025.
Kickoff Time and Weather Considerations
Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey has indicated that the 2026 World Cup final is currently planned to begin at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. However, this timing has become a point of discussion due to weather concerns.
FIFPRO, the global players’ union, categorized MetLife Stadium as a “high risk” venue for heat-related issues, citing the July summer heat in the New Jersey area. During the 2025 Club World Cup at MetLife, temperatures reached 39°C (102°F), and thunderstorms caused game delays.
Experts have suggested that FIFA consider scheduling the final for an earlier kickoff time to mitigate heat risks. However, as of now, FIFA remains committed to the 3 p.m. start time, balancing player safety with commercial interests tied to European and Asian television audiences.
Halftime Show and Entertainment
In a historic first, the 2026 World Cup final will feature a halftime show—the first in World Cup history. FIFA announced on September 28, 2024, that Global Citizen would co-produce the performance.
On March 5, 2025, FIFA revealed that Coldplay would assist with organizing the final performer lineup, while also arranging a concert in Times Square during the weekend of the final.[1]
Sustainability and Security
MetLife Stadium is recognized as an environmentally conscious venue. In 2021, it became the first NFL stadium to join the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Sports for Climate Action Framework, demonstrating its commitment to achieving global greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.
The stadium incorporates comprehensive waste management systems, energy-efficient lighting, and water conservation measures.
Regarding security, MetLife Stadium holds SAFETY Act certification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (received in 2013) and has ranked No. 1 for Safety by Security magazine’s “Security 500” for nine consecutive years.
Parking and Ticketing
FIFA has officially launched parking reservations for the 2026 World Cup through a JustPark partnership. While parking prices for MetLife Stadium have not yet been published, other venues show significant variations—with group stage match parking ranging from $75 to $115 and knockout stage parking reaching up to $175.
2026 FIFA World Cup ticket prices for U.S. matches vary widely, with some group stage matches available for as low as $60, though premium matches command significantly higher prices.
Economic Impact
The 2026 World Cup at MetLife Stadium is projected to bring more than 1 million fans to the area, with an estimated multibillion-dollar economic impact for the region.
The tournament will generate substantial employment opportunities and increased revenue for local businesses, hotels, and entertainment venues.
Why MetLife Stadium Won the Selection
MetLife Stadium was picked over two main rivals: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and AT&T Stadium near Dallas, Texas. SoFi’s field was narrower than FIFA’s recommended width (69 yards instead of the required size), and its owner wasn’t happy with FIFA’s revenue-sharing plan.
AT&T Stadium, while offering higher capacity (90,000 seats), ultimately lost out to MetLife’s superior public transportation accessibility, proximity to Manhattan’s world-class accommodations and attractions, and the support of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
MetLife Stadium’s proven track record of hosting major sporting events, combined with its world-class facilities, strategic location, and exceptional transportation infrastructure, made it the ideal venue to host the inaugural three-nation World Cup final and write another historic chapter in global sports.
