Another $13 million in state money will be spent on stadium work in advance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Eight matches – including the tournament final – will be played at MetLife Stadium in June and July of 2026 and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority is paying for upgrades and renovations at the stadium to make sure it’s up to FIFA standards.
The latest contract amendment, with a price tag of $13,045,463, will be used for additional design work, field construction and pitch maintenance equipment and services.
Adam Levy, the authority’s counsel, explained that the authority is buying two grass playing surfaces, one of which will be a backup, to meet the FIFA requirements.
That hybrid grass surface is being grown in Hammonton. It will need an irrigation system and ventilation system, which is part of the amendment.
“This expands the existing scope of work,” Levy said. “We are happy that we’re able to utilize New Jersey homegrown grass for this and keep funds in New Jersey for that purpose.”
The money comes from the $30 million that was appropriated to the authority for “International Events, Improvements and Attraction” in the fiscal year 2025 budget, which went into effect on July 1.
Phase one of the work to expand the playing surface at the stadium was completed this spring and phase two will take place next year. That includes removing seats and replacing them with retractable ones so that the field space is there for the tournament without impacting the seating for Jets and Giants games next season.
The authority represents the state on the contract with FIFA and is working with the host committee and New York City because the agency is responsible for the Meadowlands.
World Cup security
If Rep. Josh Gottheimer has his way, it’s not just the state that will be paying for the tournament when it comes in two years.
He plans to introduce legislation to allocate $620 million for World Cup security to host cities and law enforcement as part of the upcoming Homeland Security appropriations package. The money would be used to increase policing, fire and medical services and other needed improvements.
There are 11 host cities for the tournament in the United States: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, East Rutherford, Philadelphia and Miami. There will also be matches in Vancouver, Toronto, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
More: Security lapses at Copa America caused problems. How 2026 FIFA World Cup looks to avoid it
According to Gottheimer, undetectable firearms are a concern when tourists from around the world come to the region in 2026.
He noted that there will be 78 matches throughout the country with millions of people in attendance and that by securing this money on a federal level, it won’t “pass these costs onto local and state budgets."
How much will World Cup cost NJ?
The host city obligations are the responsibility of both New Jersey and the state's partner, New York City, and officials have previously said costs would be split with New York City. There is still no formal agreement in place and no official estimate as to what bringing the tournament to the state will cost.
The state provided $37.5 million to the authority in fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Some of that has already been spent to ensure that the field within the stadium is modified to meet FIFA’s requirements.
Another $7.5 million has been given to the host committee as a revolving loan for operational expenses. This is expected to be repaid through fundraising efforts by the end of 2026.
And $15 million was sent to the authority from the American Rescue Plan funding the state received in fiscal year 2022.
The state has also paid $35 million for NJ Transit to develop designs for expanding its transit system to serve the venue.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJSEA approves additional $13 million for work on MetLife Stadium for 2026 World Cup
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