The metropolitan region of New York and New Jersey is an urban hub with exceptional operating conditions for massive events. It concentrates world-class sports facilities, such as MetLife Stadium, the new Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden and Citi Field, some of the most expensive stadiums in the world. It is also home to franchises from five major leagues, reinforcing its role as a logistical and organizational center.
Air connectivity and transportation
Three main airports – John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia – together handled 130.5 million travelers in 2016. Metropolitan airspace is the busiest in the country, a key factor in absorbing massive flows of teams, press and fans during the World Cup.
In terms of mobility, in 2013 the area registered the lowest percentage of workers who use a car (56.9%), while 18.9% opted for the train. Between 2006 and 2013, car use decreased 2.2%, reflecting a transportation network that does not depend exclusively on private vehicles.
Bridges and tunnels connect both states. The George Washington Bridge, with 14 lanes, is the busiest vehicular bridge in the world. Also notable are the Brooklyn Bridge, the Holland Tunnel and the Lincoln Tunnel, essential for cross traffic on match days.
Football and sports environment
In the MLS, New York City FC (Bronx) and New York Red Bulls (Harrison, NJ) play; in the NWSL, NJ/NY Gotham FC (Harrison). In addition, the region has NCAA Division I university teams, which demonstrates continuous sports activity and experience in managing diverse audiences.
All of this places New York and New Jersey as a highly operational venue for the 2026 World Cup, with capabilities aligned to the demands of a global tournament.