Let's be honest: the world's largest soccer tournament doesn't just come around every year. It comes around every four years, and in 2026, it's landing right on New York's doorstep. Billions of fans around the world will be watching. You could be there in person — and if you're staying at ROW NYC, you're already closer to the action than you might think.
First, a Bit About the Tournament
This will be the largest edition of the tournament in history. For the first time ever, 48 nations will compete — up from the previous 32 — meaning more matches, more drama, more of those moments that stop the world mid-scroll. The tournament spans three host countries (the United States, Canada, and Mexico), with 16 cities across North America sharing the games.
New York and New Jersey are among the most coveted host venues on the entire schedule. And the stadium handling that honor? The New York New Jersey Stadium — you might know it better as MetLife Stadium — in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just across the Hudson.
What's Being Played at New York New Jersey Stadium
The NYNJ Stadium schedule is genuinely stacked. This isn't a venue getting the leftover fixtures — it's hosting some of the most anticipated matchups of the entire tournament, including the biggest game in world football:
- June 13 — Brazil vs. Morocco (6:00 PM ET) — the tournament opener at this stadium, and what an opener it is: two of the most exciting footballing nations on the planet
- June 16 — France vs. Senegal (3:00 PM ET) — a West African derby with enormous stakes and even larger fan bases
- June 22 — Norway vs. Senegal (8:00 PM ET)
- June 25 — Ecuador vs. Germany (4:00 PM ET) — a fixture that will draw fans from across South America and Europe alike
- June 27 — Panama vs. England (5:00 PM ET) — expect every England supporter in the northeastern United States to make the trip
- June 30 — Round of 32 knockout match (5:00 PM ET)
- July 5 — Round of 16 knockout match (4:00 PM ET)
- July 19 — THE FINAL MATCH (3:00 PM ET)
That last one bears repeating. The final. The championship match of the biggest sporting event on earth, decided right here in the New York metro area. If you're the kind of person who wants to say "I was there" — this is the trip.
Full schedule and transport ticketing: nynjfwc26.com/schedule.
Why ROW NYC Is the Smartest Place to Stay
The NYNJ Stadium is approximately a 20-minute drive from Midtown Manhattan, or around 45 minutes via public transport. From ROW NYC — sitting right in the heart of Times Square at Eighth Avenue between 44th and 45th Streets — you're about as well-positioned as any hotel in the city for making that journey.
The Times Square-42nd Street subway station is steps from the front door, connecting you to the transit options heading toward the stadium. Prefer a taxi or rideshare? You're in Times Square — options are never more than a few seconds away. And when you come back after the final whistle, buzzing from whatever just happened on that pitch, you return to one of the most electric corners of Manhattan. That energy is part of the experience.
During the tournament, Times Square itself will be alive with fans from every corner of the globe. Jerseys, flags, chants, celebrations — the neighborhood around ROW NYC will be a destination in its own right, regardless of whether you're heading to the stadium that day.
What's Waiting for You Back at the Hotel
ROW NYC isn't just a convenient address — it's a genuinely comfortable place to land after a long match day. A few things worth knowing:
- Percy All Day: the hotel's all-day café and bar, open from morning coffee through late-night cocktails — perfect for pre-game fuel or a post-match recap with fellow fans. A projector screen will be running during all games.
- 1,331 reimagined guest rooms with smart layouts, flat-screen TVs, and modern design that balances the neighborhood's energy with a calmer, more restful interior
- A fitness center for those who want to stay in shape between fixtures
- A location steps from Broadway, Hell's Kitchen dining, and Rockefeller Center — so the days between matches are as packed as the match days themselves
This soccer tournament is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to experience the world's most-watched sporting event on home turf. The NYNJ Stadium schedule alone — five group stage matches, a Round of 32, a Round of 16, and the Final — makes New York one of the premier destinations of the entire tournament.
ROW NYC puts you in the right city, in the right neighborhood, with the right base to make the most of every moment. Whether you're here for one match or the whole run, this is where the celebration lives.
Ready to book your stay? Reserve your room at ROW NYC before the tournament fills the city.