Stadium · May 20, 2026

MetLife Stadium Is Now Called New York New Jersey Stadium. Here's Why.

By WorldCup.NYC Editorial · Published May 20, 2026

If you've been following World Cup preparations in New Jersey, you may have noticed the signs outside MetLife Stadium now read something different. The stadium is officially called New York New Jersey Stadium for the duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and it's not coming back until the tournament ends.

Why FIFA requires the name change

FIFA enforces a "clean stadium" policy for every World Cup host venue. The policy prohibits corporate-sponsored names or branding at any stadium hosting tournament matches. The reasoning is commercial: FIFA has its own suite of official sponsors, and allowing MetLife's name and logo to appear on a stadium reaching a global audience of billions would give the insurance company free exposure at FIFA's expense.

This isn't unique to New Jersey. Every corporate-named stadium hosting the 2026 World Cup undergoes the same temporary rebrand. AT&T Stadium in Dallas becomes DFW Stadium. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles becomes LA Stadium. Hard Rock Stadium in Miami becomes Miami Stadium. The pattern is consistent: strip the corporate name, replace with a location-based neutral identifier.

What it costs MetLife

MetLife pays between $17 million and $20 million annually for naming rights to the stadium, according to The New York Times. For roughly six weeks, that investment disappears entirely — the company's name and logo physically removed from one of the most-photographed venues on Earth during the world's most-watched sporting event.

Stadium crews began covering MetLife's four large illuminated signs and interior branding ahead of the tournament. FIFA World Cup logos replaced them on the exterior. When the Final concludes on July 19, the MetLife branding returns.

Other changes to the stadium

The name isn't the only thing that changed. The stadium has undergone physical modifications for the World Cup:

• Natural grass installed — MetLife normally uses artificial turf. FIFA requires natural grass for World Cup matches. The turf was removed and natural grass laid. It will be replaced with artificial turf after the tournament.
• 1,750 seats removed — to accommodate the larger playing field required for international soccer. The seats will be reinstalled after the World Cup.
• No general parking — FIFA eliminated general spectator parking at the stadium on match days. Limited premium spots at the adjacent American Dream Mall cost $225 per match and require a valid FIFA ticket. Final parking is already sold out.

Does it matter what you call it?

For logistics purposes, the stadium is the same place it's always been — 1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ. GPS will still get you there. NJ Transit's Meadowlands event service still runs from Secaucus Junction. The $98 round-trip World Cup rail tickets are still the same route.

For search purposes, both names are now in wide use. FIFA, official media, and international coverage use "New York New Jersey Stadium." Local coverage, fans, and most Americans still say MetLife. Either way, it's the same stadium.

The 8 matches at New York New Jersey Stadium

• Brazil vs Morocco — June 13, 6:00 PM ET (Group C)
• France vs Senegal — June 16, 3:00 PM ET (Group I)
• Norway vs Senegal — June 22, 8:00 PM ET (Group I)
• Ecuador vs Germany — June 25, 4:00 PM ET (Group E)
• Panama vs England — June 27, 5:00 PM ET (Group L)
• Round of 32 — June 30
• Round of 16 — July 5
• World Cup Final — July 19, 3:00 PM ET