Monmouth University Polling Institute is gauging residents’ reaction to New Jersey hosting eight World Cup 26 matches, including the Final.

As NJBIZ has extensively reported, World Cup fever is growing following a landmark announcement earlier this year that FIFA selected MetLife Stadium to host the Final. New York New Jersey Stadium, its name during the tournament, will also see seven other matches during the biggest ever iteration of the popular world sporting event.

Released May 9, the poll found a mixed reaction – and awareness – around the event, especially based on geography and age.

Some topline World Cup 26 findings include:

• 33% of New Jersey residents have heard a lot about New Jersey hosting the World Cup, 36% have heard a little and 31% know nothing about it
• 22% are very excited, 36% are somewhat excited and 41% are not excited
• In North Jersey:
  • Awareness: 41% heard a lot about it, 38% heard a little and 21% heard nothing at all
  • Excitement: 29% very excited, 36% somewhat excited and 33% not excited
• In Central Jersey:
  • Awareness: 31% heard a lot about it, 36% heard a little and 33% heard nothing at all
  • Excitement: 18% very excited, 42% somewhat excited; and 40% not excited
• In South Jersey:
  • Awareness: 22% heard a lot about it, 32% heard a little and 46% heard nothing at all
  • Excitement: 15% very excited, 30% somewhat excited and 55% not excited
• Broken down by age
  • Awareness:
    • Residents aged 18-34 – 45% heard a lot, 27% heard a little and 28% heard nothing at all
    • 35-54 – 30% heard a lot, 36% heard a little and 34% heard nothing at all
    • 55-plus – 27% heard a lot, 42% heard a little and 31% heard nothing at all
  • Excitement:
    • Residents aged 18-34 – 25% very excited, 34% somewhat excited and 40% not excited
    • 35-54 – 23% very excited, 33% somewhat excited and 45% not excited
• 60% think the World Cup will provide an economic benefit, while 32% believe it will cost more than it brings in; 8% don’t know
• When asked whether New Jersey or New York will benefit more from co-hosting the matches – just 15% said the Garden State versus 50% who believe New York will; 31% think the economic benefit will be shared equally

Potential profitability

“The World Cup buzz is certainly bigger in the region where the matches will be held,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute. “South Jersey residents are probably more interested in the games that will be played in Philadelphia than in East Rutherford.”

Philly is hosting six matches during the tournament.

Murray also noted the findings indicate the majority of residents feel that the Garden State’s World Cup ledger will end up in the black.

“But there is the question about scoring an economic own goal,” Murray stressed. “This may equate to New Jersey underwriting most of the expense only to have more of the economic benefit wind up in the net for New York.”

The poll was conducted by telephone from Feb. 29 to March 4, 2024 – with 801 New Jersey adults. Full results are available here.