World Cup Countdown: Live Nation, DPS Tapped To Produce FIFA Fan Festival New York / New Jersey At Liberty State Park

image1 (1) — (From left) Ben Arden, Director of Programming, Live Nation Northeast; Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup Host Committee; Geoff Gordon, Chairman, Live Nation Northeast; Edison Hunter, Vice President Strategy and Operations; New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy; Governor Phil Murphy, New Jersey; and Stacie George, Senior Vice President, Live Nation Northeast. ((Courtesy Ike Richman/Live Nation)

One year before the FIFA World Cup brings soccer’s biggest event to 16 different North American cities, the scene has been set for the FIFA Fan Festival New York/New Jersey, which will take place at Liberty State Park and include concerts presented by Live Nation and DPS.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is one of the world’s most prestigious events and an unparalleled opportunity to highlight the region’s diversity and deliver unforgettable fan experiences,” said Geoff Gordon, Chairman, Live Nation Northeast Region. “We’re honored to support the NYNJ Host Committee on this historic moment.” The event promises real-time match broadcasts, a blockbuster live entertainment, interactive fan activations and sponsorship integrations.

Framed by the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty, the iconic location will serve as the region’s central hub for fan celebration, coinciding with eight different matches taking place at MetLife Stadium including the World Cup Final over the course of the 39-day tournament. Tickets will be available soon, the announcement says.

“The FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ will be the largest and most visible fan experience of the entire tournament,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee. “Liberty State Park offers a landmark setting and reflects the scale and energy of the region. This isn’t just about watching matches, it’s about celebrating the game, showcasing what makes NYNJ special, and creating lasting impact for our communities, partners, and millions of fans.”

The announcement says “a number” of premier concerts will take place as part of the FIFA Fan Festival, taking place on off-days. Talent has not been announced yet.

“The FIFA World Cup draws billions of viewers from all over the planet, and the FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ will enable hundreds of thousands of fans to experience it in an immersive way,” said Darren Pfeffer, president of event producer DPS. “We’re excited to collaborate with the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee and Live Nation New York to make history with this unique event.”

Coinciding with the announcement, the Host Committee officially launched a “Skyline to Shoreline Road Tour,” a mobile fan experience that will travel across New York and New Jersey this summer featuring soccer zones, music, giveaways, and community storytelling. The “tour” will appear at festivals, parks, and neighborhood events through Labor Day 2025.

Daily Pulse