• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

MetLife Stadium to Host 2026 Men’s World Cup Final, Beating Dallas and L.A.

  • FIFA announced MetLife Stadium will host the 2026 World Cup Final.
  • The venue plans to remove seats to better accommodate a soccer pitch.
NYC Mayor Erica Adams wants the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium
Syndication: Asbury Park Press

It’s official: The New York City region will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.

MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles had emerged as the front-runners to host the men’s championship out of the 16 cities hosting matches across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

MetLife Stadium and AT&T Stadium were more accommodating than SoFi—both venues had announced plans to remove seats to better fit a soccer pitch, while SoFi had not. Plus, stadium owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment reportedly didn’t agree with FIFA about revenue sharing.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York City Mayor Eric Adams penned an op-ed in Front Office Sports in November arguing their case for MetLife.

“When it comes to logistics and infrastructure, we believe we’re best-suited to provide the game the stage it deserves. When our uniquely passionate fan base and regional cultural offerings are taken into account, our case only becomes stronger,” Murphy and Adams wrote, while also highlighting their stadium’s capacity and region’s unique ability to handle the traffic of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

In addition to AT&T Stadium, Dallas bidders had teased the idea of doubling ticketed-event capacity by opening up the current and former homes of the Texas Rangers for live watch parties. Between expanding attendance at AT&T above the stadium’s standard capacity and opening up the two baseball parks, about 200,000 people could pack into the Arlington complex.

But it was to no avail—FIFA chose New York.

MetLife was constructed in the parking lot of Giants Stadium, which hosted World Cup matches in 1994. Dallas hosted the tournament at the Cotton Bowl. Brazil won the final match at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

FIFA also announced the schedule for the tournament’s 104 matches, where opening matches will take place, and the group-stage locations for the host country’s national team.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA Proposes 30-Day Extension on CBA Negotiations

The CBA expires Oct. 31; a deal is not expected by then.

Shohei Ohtani’s Historic World Series Game 3 Sets Up High-Stakes Game 4

Ohtani will start Game 4 on the mound after another epic performance Monday.
Brian Kelly

CFB Firings Tracker: LSU Owes Brian Kelly $53 Million

The sum owed Kelly slightly tops James Franklin’s at Penn State. 
May 20, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers and LA Sparks co-owner Todd Boehly watches during game three of the Western Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena.
exclusive

Mark Walter’s Lakers Buy Includes Dodgers Co-Owner Todd Boehly

Jeanie Buss will retain a roughly 15% stake and remain team governor.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Jul 30, 2022; Irvine, CA, USA; A general view of the official NFL balls on the field during Los Angeles Rams training camp at University of California Irvine.

Saudi Arabia Wants to Bring American Football to the Middle East

The Middle Eastern nation wants to host major football events.
Noah Lyles (USA) wins the men’s 100m final during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, Monday, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.
September 22, 2025

Summer Olympics Face a Climate-Induced Heat Check

The World Athletics president says the status quo is not sustainable.
Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; British and United States flags on the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
September 29, 2025

From Dublin to London: Vikings on NFL’s First Multi-Country Road Trip

The Jaguars have previously played consecutive games in the U.K.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.
February 12, 2025

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.