Listen to this article

The basics:

• Sports Illustrated named Official Fan Experience Supporter for NYNJ World Cup 2026
• Immersive activations planned at FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ in Liberty State Park
• Festival expected to draw more than 1 million visitors to Jersey City
• Experiences include iconic SI cover exhibits, custom fan magazine covers

Sports Illustrated has been named an Official New York New Jersey World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter. The magazine will serve as the Official Fan Experience Supporter for the NYNJ Host Committee.

As part of the partnership, Sports Illustrated will deliver immersive, interactive activations at the FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ. The event is expected to draw more than 1 million visitors to Liberty State Park in Jersey City between June 11 and July 19. The Fan Festival will serve as the tournament’s largest fan-facing celebration.

Sports Illustrated’s on-site presence will include two signature experiences:

• SI Defining Moments exhibit – Showcasing 70 years of iconic Sports Illustrated covers, photography and storytelling celebrating soccer‘s most memorable moments
• SI Fan Cover activation – Allowing attendees to create a personalized Sports Illustrated-style magazine cover as a keepsake

Sports Illustrated’s dedicated festival footprint will house both experiences.

Additionally, beyond the Fan Festival, Sports Illustrated will receive prominent branding and integration into host committee advertising and social media campaigns, digital platforms and regional promotional efforts leading up to the tournament.

“Our partnership with the New York New Jersey World Cup 26 Host Committee underscores our commitment to delivering best-in-class fan experiences on one of the world’s largest stages – as only a Sports Illustrated company can,” said David Lane, CEO of Sports Illustrated Tickets.

Sports Illustrated Tickets is also a long-term partner of Red Bull New York. That collaboration includes the naming rights of the team’s home pitch in Harrison, Sports Illustrated Stadium.

‘Once-in-a-generation moment’

“FIFA World Cup 2026, together with the FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ, represents a once-in-a-generation moment, and we’re proud to help create a destination where fans from around the globe can unite and celebrate the world’s biggest soccer event,” said Lane.

Live Nation in partnership with event producer DPS will produce the FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ. The event will span 800,000 square feet. The fan fest will feature live match broadcasts, entertainment and food offerings as well as interactive activations. It expects to draw tens of thousands of fans each day throughout the nearly 40-day tournament.

Set along the Hudson River with views of the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty, Liberty State Park will host the festival just miles from MetLife Stadium. Dubbed New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament, eight World Cup matches — including the July 19 final — will take place in the Meadowlands.

“Sports Illustrated has shaped how generations of fans connect with the world’s biggest moments in sports, and their presence at the FIFA Fan Festival will elevate what is already set to be an unforgettable celebration,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee. “As we prepare to welcome millions of visitors to our region, SI’s immersive experiences will help us showcase the energy, creativity, and global spirit that define New York New Jersey.”