The basics:

• New York Cosmos to compete in USL League One starting in 2026
• Hinchliffe Stadium named official home for men’s and women’s teams
• Paterson’s Baye Adofo-Wilson is new majority owner and chairperson
• Clifton native Giuseppe Rossi joins as vice chair, head of soccer

The New York Cosmos are returning to competition in 2026, and North Jersey, with a new home at Paterson’s Hinchliffe Stadium.

This marks the third iteration of the iconic soccer club. The original team featured the likes of legends Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia.

The Cosmos last played in New Jersey from 1977 to 1984 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. At a July 10 press conference at the legendary Hinchliffe Stadium, the Cosmos announced they will compete in USL League One.

Paterson native Baye Adofo-Wilson, the co-owner and developer of Hinchliffe Stadium, is also the new majority owner and chairperson of the Cosmos.

“Hinchliffe Stadium is an economic driver for the region,” said Adofo-Wilson. “Bringing the Cosmos to Hinchliffe Stadium will give an additional anchor for Hinchliffe Stadium, the City of Paterson and North Jersey. It will also give young people in our region the opportunity to watch exciting, affordable professional sports in their backyard.”

Key things to know:

• The Cosmos will also establish its first women’s team, which will play at Hinchliffe as well
• Hinchliffe will add on-site soccer museum dedicated to Cosmos history
• Giuseppe Rossi – a Clifton native and star player for Villarreal, Fiorentina and the Italian national team – will serve as vice chairman and head of soccer
• CEO Erik Stover will oversee day-to-day operations. Stover previously served as COO of the Cosmos for nearly a decade
• Entrepreneur and angel investor Sapna Shah will lend her expertise to the effort
• North Jersey Pro Soccer acquired the Cosmos’ intellectual and physical property, history and heritage from New York Cosmos LLC. That entity controlled, by Rocco Commisso since January 2017, will retain a minority ownership stake in the club
• A modernized badge was unveiled July 10, designed by Mark Jenkinson and Shawn Francis
• Cosmos’ uniforms and training gear will be introduced in the coming months – produced in partnership with Capelli Sports
• Club plans to focus on youth development as part of a deep commitment to Paterson, Passaic County and North Jersey communities

Soccer City USA

“I grew up here and I still play here. There’s talent everywhere and many of these kids have great potential but aren’t getting a real chance like they would in other footballing nations,” said Rossi. “One of our goals is to give those young men and women an opportunity to sign a professional contract and to develop in a first-class environment.”

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh described the announcement as a big win.

“Our city scored a goal; our state scored a goal; our country has scored a goal. Because the Cosmos, arguably, are the most famous soccer club in U.S. history,” said Sayegh. “They helped transform the perception of the sport. They were a cultural phenomenon.”

Sayegh said that Hinchliffe Stadium is New Jersey’s real Field of Dreams.

“We have a professional baseball team – the New Jersey Jackals – that play here. We have a women’s tackle football team – the Jersey Shore Wave – that play here as well,” said Sayegh, who noted the job opportunities this will create for the city’s residents. “And now we have a name brand in the Cosmos coming to play in Paterson.”

“We’ve got World Cup fever, governor,” Sayegh said to Gov. Phil Murphy, who was on-hand for the announcement. “And it has spread here to our city. In fact, we want to talk about branding. Because of this announcement, I’m going to go on the record and say that now, Paterson is Soccer City USA.”

Best is yet to come

The soccer buzz has been palpable around the state.

On Sunday, the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup Final will be held at MetLife Stadium, pitting Paris Saint Germain against Chelsea. And then of course next year, MetLife Stadium hosts eight matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including that Final.

On Thursday, Murphy spoke about the history of Hinchliffe Stadium, referencing Paterson’s own Larry Doby.

“And if that weren’t enough, the Cosmos are coming back,” said Murphy. He also noted the aforementioned star players who graced the pitch for the Cosmos during their own rich history. “I believe this is their third iteration – and it will be its best.

“The legacy and the iconic history of the Cosmos we all know will come back to life right here at Hinchliffe. It’s going to be extraordinary.”