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The basics:

• RWJBarnabas Health CEO discusses Red Bulls performance center in Morris Township
• 80-acre hub supports training, rehab and athlete wellness programs
• Brazil national team set to use facility for 2026 FIFA World Cup
• Part of broader RWJBH sports strategy with Devils, Rutgers and Red Bulls

RWJBarnabas Health’s partnership with the Red Bull New York took a visible step forward this week with the opening of the club’s new performance center in Morris Township. The sprawling, state-of-the-art complex will serve as the hub for the club’s first team, academy and youth programs.

The 80-acre RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center is also slated to host Brazil during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For the home team, it brings all levels of the organization together in one location, and places a heavy emphasis on training, development and player wellness.

As NJBIZ reported, RWJBarnabas Healthsigned on in January as the naming rights partner for the performance center. The long-term agreement also made the system the official health care provider for the Red Bulls, Red Bulls II and academy programs. Meanwhile the collaboration integrated medical services, branding and community initiatives across the club’s operations.

After an April 22 ribbon cutting for the new facility, RWJBarnabas Health President and CEO Mark Manigan spoke to reporters. He discussed the site, whether it exceeded expectation and if any particular feature stands out.

“First off, the Red Bulls are a world-class organization who built an unbelievable, world-class facility. And it’s striking,” he said. “And it’s not only striking to me and others, when you see these international, famous people like Jurgen Klopp. You see his eyes roll when he walks in here. The fact that Brazil has chosen this as their summer home during the World Cup. It’s unbelievable.”

“And what really jumps out at me is not only the clinical areas where it’s warm and close to our hearts. The gym facility is amazing. The dining facility is amazing. It’s really just an incredible facility,” he added.

The table stakes

The center features the 5,000-square-foot RWJBarnabas Health Athlete Wellness Lab — anchored by a full-service gym. The space is designed for daily recovery, rehabilitation and preventative care. Players, trainers and medical staff will use the lab as part of routine preparation, supporting everything from manual therapy and soft tissue work to recovery and return-to-play programs.

The project also reflects a broader strategy for RWJBarnabas Health, as the system steadily expands its presence across the New Jersey sports landscape.

“Well, there’s two things. The first thing is, there’s got to be a cultural connection between the two organizations, a culture that speaks to innovation, excellence,” said Manigan. “But also a culture that speaks to commitment to the community. And all our partners exemplify those traits. So that’s the table stakes.

“Beyond that, we unite around a common mission, around youth athletics, health, healthy living, healthy lifestyles. … All that together – it kind of makes these relationships a very natural thing for us.”

Building connections

That philosophy has carried through a growing list of partnerships, including with the Red Bulls, the New Jersey Devils and Rutgers University, among others; along with a more recent collaboration with Devils star and Olympics hero Jack Hughes.

It all ties back to the system’s focus on community health.

“We’re proud to be aligned with terrific organizations like this,” said Manigan. “But it’s more than just the name on the building, which we’re incredibly proud of. It’s the youth program and 45,000 athletes. It’s just an incredible way to connect with New Jerseyans …”

Of course, shortly after announcing that partnership with Hughes making him RWJBH’s first brand ambassador, the Devils star went on to Olympic glory with his golden goal to lead the USA Men’s Hockey team past Canada.

And the partnership with the Red Bulls comes amid a soccer boom in the region that builds on the impending arrival of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Manigan said, “You look at all of our sponsorship relationships, whether it’s the Red Bulls, whether it’s the Devils, Jack Hughes, Rutgers – where we not only take care of their athletes, but we’re investing in clinical research and the cures of tomorrow, training the clinicians of tomorrow. It really comes around and back to our mission to make New Jersey and New Jerseyans healthier.

“And it all comes together around that.”

NJBIZ reporter Matthew Fazelpoor was on the scene at the RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center ribbon cutting. See more of his photos in his coverage here and his LinkedIn post below: