Sports Illustrated (SI) Tickets will serve as the FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey Host Committee’s Official Fan Experience Supporter and will introduce a series of immersive fan activations at the FIFA Fan Festival™ NYNJ, according to several reports.
As an Official New York New Jersey World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter, SI will assist in the execution of:
⚽Fan Experience: As an Official Fan Experience Supporter, SI Tickets said it will focus on interactive activities and special Fan Festival Activations at the Fan Festival at Liberty State Park.
⚽SI Defining Moments: Showcasing historic covers, photos, and stories about soccer.
⚽SI Fan Cover: Allowing fans to create their own personalized magazine covers.
SI Defining Moments showcases 70 years of iconic Sports Illustrated covers, original storytelling, award-winning photography, and more that celebrate the game’s history. The SI Fan Cover experience allows attendees to star in their own Sports Illustrated-style magazine cover, creating a personalized keepsake that blends fans’ favorite photos with SI’s hallmark design. Both activations will be featured within Sports Illustrated’s dedicated on-site footprint.
“Sports Illustrated has shaped how generations of fans connect with the world’s biggest moments in sports, and their presence at the FIFA Fan Festival will elevate what is already set to be an unforgettable celebration,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee.
“As we prepare to welcome millions of visitors to our region, SI’s immersive experiences will help us showcase the energy, creativity, and global spirit that define New York New Jersey,” Lasry added.
SI is Scoring With Soccer
SI bought the naming rights for Red Bulls stadium at the end of 2024, with the venue officially becoming Sports Illustrated Stadium in early 2025. Before Sports Illustrated, the stadium, 600 Cape May St., Harrison, New Jersey, was simply called Red Bulls Arena when it opened in 2010, a name it’s kept until last year. SI has a 13-year agreement with the stadium.
The Red Bulls, part of MLS, play in an arena with a capacity of 25,000. The SI Stadium also hosts the NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. Sports Illustrated Stadium is the third-largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S. and the league.
“Our partnership with the New York New Jersey World Cup 26 Host Committee underscores our commitment to delivering best-in-class fan experiences on one of the world’s largest stages – as only a Sports Illustrated company can,” said David Lane, CEO, Sports Illustrated Tickets. “FIFA World Cup 2026, together with the FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ, represents a once-in-a-generation moment, and we’re proud to help create a destination where fans from around the globe can unite and celebrate the world’s biggest soccer event.”
As a FIFA World Cup 2026 sponsor, Sports Illustrated’s branding will be displayed on physical and digital signage. Beyond the on-site exhibits, Sports Illustrated will receive branding across Host Committee signage and digital platforms, as well as receive integration into advertising and social media campaigns leading up to the tournament, according to reports
Sports Illustrated Tickets, 40 Games, Economic Impact
SI Tickets is a ticketing platform from Sports Illustrated, owned by Authentic Brands Group. The World Cup’s 40-day extravaganza includes eight games at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, including the Final on Sunday, July 19.
With over 1.2 million tourists expected to visit the area, the anticipated economic impact is forecast to top $3.3 billion, according to the Economic Impact Summary, developed and released by the NYNJ World Cup 2026 Host Committee in partnership with Tourism Economics.
Further:
● 26,000+ jobs will be supported in New Jersey and New York
● $1.3 billion will be generated in labor income
● 1.7 billion is expected from visitor spending on both match and non-match days
● $431.9 million is projected in combined state and local tax revenue
About the FIFA World Cup 2026™ NYNJ Host Committee
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ NYNJ Host Committee is the local organizing body responsible for delivering eight matches, including the Final, and the FIFA Fan Festival™ NYNJ at Liberty State Park.
Its mission: to create the most engaging, inclusive, and impactful World Cup experience for fans, athletes, partners, and communities. For more information, see its website.
About Sports Illustrated Tickets
For 70 years, Sports Illustrated (SI) has united athletes, teams, and fans worldwide through quality content, innovative digital experiences, unforgettable events, and original products.
Sports Illustrated Tickets, a fan-first ticketing platform within the Sports Illustrated family of companies, is a leading live events marketplace. Its diverse portfolio includes a global secondary market with more than $2.5 billion in inventory and over 50 million tickets across sports, concerts, and theater.