If you’re driving by MetLife Stadium in New Jersey these days and don’t see the familiar stadium name and logo on the outside, don’t panic. It’s only temporary.
The stadium is being renamed “New Jersey New York Stadium” to comply with FIFA regulations. The venue is scheduled to host eight 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, from June 13 through the tournament final on July 19.
From New Jersey Advance Media:
FIFA typically requires participating stadiums to scrub themselves of pre-existing branding during the World Cup, as the organization does not allow venues with corporate-sponsored names or logos.
The long-standing policy is in place to protect FIFA’s own brands and the exclusive rights of its sponsors. So as a result, stadiums use generic city or regional names when hosting World Cup games.
The MetLife name and logo will be restored once the World Cup concludes. The New York Giants, who have their headquarters and training facility across the parking lot from MetLife, will be temporarily displaced for at least the first week of their summer training camp in late July due to the deconstruction of the World Cup accommodations.
Big Blue will hold the early part of its training camp at the historic Greenbrier resort in West Virginia. The work in and around MetLife should not interfere with any preseason or regular-season games.
The stadium had to be retrofitted to accommodate FIFA field rules. Approximately 1,750 seats were removed to fit the playing field. The artificial playing surface also had to be swapped out for natural grass. Both of those changes will be restored for the upcoming NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: MetLife Stadium temporarily changes name for World Cup
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
