The results of Phase II of the Convention Center Economic Feasibility Study is being revealed at Mdest23 on Friday, Feb. 17, hosted by the Meadowlands Chamber (MC) and Meadowlands Live! Convention Center & Visitors Bureau (MLCVB). The discussion will focus on the economic impact of developing a multi-use youth and amateur sports/event and convention center at the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
The Meadowlands 2040 Foundation, an affiliate of the MLCVB, was awarded a $50, 000 grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to conduct the study after a Phase One Competitive Market Analysis in 2021 showed there was a shortage of multi-use space to meet current and potential demand.
Speakers include:
- Meadowlands 2040 Foundation Chair Fletch Creamer Jr.
- Meadowlands Chamber Chair Dan Baer
- Hunden Strategic Partners CEO Rob Hunden
- Northstar Travel Group Content Director Loren Edelstein
- Alliance for Action President Jerry Keenan
- Regional Planning Association NJ Director Zöe Baldwin
The Meadowlands Sports Complex is comprised of MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets; the Meadowlands Racetrack, with thoroughbred and harness racing; the Quest Diagnostics Training Center, where the Giants practice; and the American Dream retail and entertainment complex, the second largest mall in America.
The suggested 460,000 square foot multi-use youth sports and convention center is proposed for development between Rt. 120 and the sports complex, on land belonging to the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority (NJSEA) sports authority. It would include:
- 60,000 square feet of banquet space, which could be used for events, performances and plenary sessions
- 100,000 square feet of meeting space, which includes room for smaller breakout huddles or seminars
- 300,000 square feet of flexible convention space for exhibitions, trade shows and sporting events
The results of the Phase I Competitive Market Analysis completed in October 2021 showed there’s a shortage of convention center space in the North Jersey and New York City region and pointed to the benefits of a multi-use facility that would cater to conventions, events and youth and amateur sports. Currently, there is no existing facility at the Meadowlands Sports Complex to handle the fan experience that comes with a big event like the Super Bowl.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is the largest football venue in the NFL, at 2.1 million square feet and with a seating capacity of 82,500. The stadium hosted Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, marking the big game’s first outdoor, cold-weather contest. MetLife Stadium was also home to WrestleMania 29 and 35, the Copa America Centenario Final and the 2021 Army-Navy Game. The former Giants Stadium hosted seven games for the men’s FIFA World Cup in 1994, the opening match for the women’s FIFA World Cup in 1999.
Looking ahead, the region’s businesses are setting the stage for the summer of 2026 when the FIFA World Cup comes to the area. MetLife Stadium is one of 16 hosts of 2026 games, and if the proposed center is built in time, could be used as a fan fest location, among other possible uses.
Registration is now closed to attend Mdest23. Updates from the conference will be posted on Meadowlandsmedia.com.