MetLife Stadium – tournament stadium description

What will MetLife Stadium be called during the 2026 World Cup?

During the 2026 World Cup, MetLife Stadium will be called either New York Stadium or New Jersey Stadium. This name change is in line with FIFA's practices, which require the use of neutral stadium names during international tournaments. The purpose of these regulations is to avoid conflicts with official tournament sponsors and to ensure that the names of sports venues do not promote specific commercial brands unrelated to the event. The name New Jersey Stadium refers directly to the location of the stadium, while New York Stadium refers to the close proximity of the state and city of New York.

What changes will need to take place at MetLife Stadium before the 2026 World Cup?

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, MetLife Stadium will undergo significant upgrades. It will be transformed to include a wider football field, different branding and new entrances. The east side of the field is being widened in 2024 and the west side will be widened in spring 2025. Between four and ten rows of seats will be removed and then built back in so that they can be removed for the final. There will also be security changes at MetLife.

In advance of the World Cup, all stadiums will have to undergo tests to demonstrate whether they meet the detailed FIFA requirements for such a major event. Changes made to the venues as a result may include upgrades to the pitch surface, seating improvements, improved accessibility and updates to stadium technology and security systems to ensure the arenas meet FIFA's international standards.

How will MetLife Stadium be used for the 2026 World Cup?

MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, will host eight matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with five group stage matches scheduled for June 13, 16, 22, 25 and 27, as well as one round of 32 match scheduled for June 30, one round 16 match scheduled for July 5 and a final match July 19.

What hours will the 2026 World Cup games at Metlife Stadium be broadcast?

The 2026 World Cup matches at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford are likely to be played at 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 and 21:00 local time (Eastern Time). Converting these times to UK time (BST), the matches will be available for viewing at 17:00, 20:00, 23:00 and 02:00 the following day, respectively. In Australia (AEST), they will be available for viewing at 02:00, 05:00, 08:00 and 11:00 the following day.

Where is MetLife Stadium, the stadium for the 2026 World Cup, located?

MetLife Stadium is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, making it part of the New York metropolitan region. East Rutherford is located on the east bank of the Hackensack River, approximately 13 kilometres west of Manhattan. The region is one of the most populous and dynamic areas in the United States, known for its intense urban life and broad cultural and economic spectrum. MetLife Stadium's location in the New York metropolitan region makes it a key point on the US East Coast sports and entertainment map, attracting numerous sports and cultural fans from across the country and around the world.

What are the characteristics of MetLife Stadium, the 2026 World Cup stadium?

Construction took 2.5 years and resulted in the largest NFL stadium and also the most expensive in history ($1.6bn in 2010). For this price, the clubs built a stadium with three-tier stands for more than 82,500 spectators, of which more than 10,000 are premium seats. However, due to the already enormous cost, the roof was abandoned. As the facility is used by two clubs at the same time and everything is shared 50-50, it has adopted the Allianz Arena solution without adopting the colours of either club. On match days, however, the aluminium louvre facades are illuminated from inside, clearly indicating the host venue.

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