A Guide to MetLife Stadium, the 2026 World Cup Final Venue

New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium was named the location for the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was awarded to joint hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Here’s a look at the facility and some of the events it has staged.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, FIFA announced on June 13. It will be the first World Cup hosted by three nations and the first staged in North America since the 1994 edition in the United States.
While the specific locations and schedule of the 80 matches—60 in the U.S., 10 in Canada, 10 in Mexico—is still to be determined, the site for the final has been announced. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., has been granted that honor.
Opened April 10, 2010, MetLife Stadium earns the bragging rights as the only stadium to host two National Football League (NFL) teams: the New York Jets and New York Giants. The facility is also the largest in the NFL, boasting 82,500 seats.
Hosting large-scale events is nothing new for the area or stadium. MetLife Stadium hosted Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos on February 2 2014. Other major sporting events held at the stadium include WrestleMania 29 (it will host WrestleMania 35 in 2019), 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-finals, International Champions Cup matches, and three matches (including the final) at the 2016 Copa América Centenario. MetLife Stadium has also played host to global musical stars, including Taylor Swift, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, U2, and Kenny Chesney.

The 2.1 million-square-foot facility has a neutral color scheme to allow the stadium to change into a home field no matter what team is playing there. It boasts 200+ suites on four separate levels, more than 10,000 club seats, and approximately 28,000 parking spaces. A New Jersey Transit rail station is located right near the stadium, allowing easy public transportation, especially from nearby New York City.
MetLife Stadium was ranked the highest-grossing stadium in the world for non-NFL events in 2010, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, and ’16 by Billboard Magazine.
The stadium, which cost $1.6 billion to construct, has a slew of technology, including four 30 x 118-foot HD video display boards in each end of the stadium, a 360-degree ribbon board circling the bowl, more than 2,100 HD monitors, and free Wi-Fi throughout.
Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.
Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>
All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.