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The basics:

• American Dream will open Dream Live Performing Arts Center in East Rutherford
• 3,000-seat venue will host concerts, comedy, theater and events
• Part of expanded entertainment push ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

American Dream is continuing to reimagine the traditional shopping mall experience with the addition of a performing arts center.

Designed as a dynamic, multi-purpose space, the 3,000-capacity venue will host a range of performances spanning cultural programming, comedy, theater and live concerts. The Dream Live Performing Arts Center will also serve as a setting for corporate events and private parties, the East Rutherford megamall exclusively shared with NJBIZ.

The space is located on Level 2 and 3 above the mall’s Garden Court. The Dream Live Performing Arts Center will offer a premium experience featuring VIP seating, luxury boxes and elevated hospitality offerings.

The venue will boast a state-of-the-art L-Acoustics sound system, along with best-in-class lighting and video production capabilities to support world-class performances. American Dream declined disclose the square footage of the performing arts center.

According to the mall, Aramark will operate food and beverage services. Ticketmaster will handle ticketing.

Kicking off festivities

The launch comes as American Dream continues to expand its entertainment offerings for the World Cup and beyond. Starting in June, neighboring MetLife Stadium will host eight FIFA World Cup matches, including the July 19 final.

Ahead of the tournament, American Dream has rolled out a series of soccer-themed initiatives. Features include a 39-day fan festival, a small business marketplace, new retail and immersive attractions. The mall also plans to serve as a major hospitality and parking hub for visitors attending local matches.

American Dream Chief Marketing Officer Adam Petrick said, “The Dream Live Performing Arts Center represents a significant step forward in our continued evolution as a global entertainment destination.”

“We are committed to delivering high-quality, immersive experiences for our guests, and the Dream Live Performing Arts Center will serve as a platform for top-tier talent and diverse programming,” he said.

A massive, multifaceted experience

Besides being the largest mall in New Jersey, the 3 million-square-foot venue is one of the biggest in the country — second only in size to the Mall of America in Minnesota. Both are owned by Triple Five Group.

The mall’s portfolio of unique attractions includes DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, Sesame Street Learn & Play, The Gameroom Powered by Hasbro, New Jersey Hall of Fame, Legoland Discovery Center, Big Snow and Sea Life Aquarium.

The lineup of over 400 stores includes a luxury shopping wing featuring brands like Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent, Canada Goose, Gentle Monster and Ferrari.

American Dream is also home to flagship locations of H&M, Primark, Sephora, Uniqlo, Zara and Toys R Us. Its 100-plus dining options include celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Marcus Live and the first MrBeast Burger restaurant.

American Dream already hosts hundreds of events each year, such as concerts, celebrity engagements and sports, too. Earlier this year, Gov. Mikie Sherill held her inaugural ball there after being sworn in as the 57th governor of New Jersey.

According to the mall, Dream Live Performing Arts Center will play a key role in its World Cup programming. It expects to soon announce additional notable acts planned for this summer.