State leaders say they're ready to handle the massive influx of tourists expected to flood the region for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final but the reality is a ton of preparation and planning needs to happen to fulfill that promise today members of the assembly Tourism Committee got together with representatives from FIFA for a hearing at MetLife Stadium where the games will be held to go over the upgrades needed here and just how much New Jersey stands to gain Ted Goldberg reports this is a massive massive undertaking it this is a not for the faint of heart sort of situation hosting the World Cup in your backyard takes a ton of planning especially with an eye popping number of visitors and viewers to see the World Cup final which drew a billion and a half Watchers two years ago that is the combined audience of the last 13 Super Bowls in 2026 the world will be watching us and FIFA projects 3 billion will have their eyes on this Stadium right here in New Jersey holding the World Cup Final in New Jersey will be a booned to local businesses including restaurants shops hotels and transportation services and will increase our tourism Revenue the assembly's Tourism Committee stopped by the meal lands this morning to hear from the leaders responsible for New Jersey's hosting duties which state officials estimate could bring $2 billion to the region the home of the Jets and Giants will host eight World Cup matches including the final all those fans need to get in and out so upgrading Transit is top of mind there is a vision um to be prepared for uh this event which will be one of the largest events in Our Generation In Our Lifetime um I think the commitment and that understanding it starts with meetings like this today New Jersey Transit does a wonderful job but I would hope that most of our private uh carriers would be available as well to be participating in this monu Monumental event officials are optimistic that the state's Transit infrastructure will improve over the next two years this comes despite a rough couple of weeks for NJ Transit with widespread delays and memories of a hectic Super Bowl 10 years ago we've learned from those mistakes we have learned a great deal in working with both the stadium team as well as various host committees um and this this is the best group we've seen so far this isn't just a North Jersey problem Philadelphia is also hosting World Cup games so people in South Jersey will also need easy ways to get around it is um always an issue in South Jersey because we are considered a transer desert we have less public transportation than our Northern friends so um this will be less than optimal for visitors who are coming from internationally and they're looking for public transportation assemblyman William moan says it's too soon to talk specifics but wants to make sure South Jersey isn't forgotten in this conversation there are other parts of the state that if we're going to invest in places uh perhaps like here to support this that we're also doing that in other places around the state that make make that Equity there you might have noticed that throughout the story not once have I said MetLife Stadium that's because the stadium behind me will be known as New York New Jersey Stadium throughout the World Cup FIFA has very strict rules about the use of corporate names for stadiums especially if they conflict with sponsors a small price to pay for a possibly huge return in tourism dollars for New Jersey in East Rutherford I'm Ted Goldberg NJ Spotlight news support for the business report is provided by experience the vibrancy of newark's arts and education district and Halsey Street Halseyy a neighborhood built on heart and hustle visit Halsey n-w dk.com for the 2024 Hy Fest schedule and by njm a partner to New Jersey manufacturing industry focused on productivity performance and strategic development more on NJMEP.org [Music]