FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty State Park canceled
Tickets will be refunded for what was intended to provide a watch party, food and concerts for those who wanted to take in World Cup games.
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The FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty State Park has been canceled.
FIFA was billing the fan festival as a massive watch party at Liberty State Park for soccer matches from June 11 to July 19.
It was supposed to be a place to watch World Cup matches, with a view of Lady Liberty and the NYC Skyline - plus food, concerts and amusements. Tickets were already sold for the first match between Mexico and South Africa.
But now Ticketmaster posted a message on its website saying, “Unfortunately, the Event Organizer has had to cancel your event. You don't need to do a thing. We'll issue a refund.”
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For Jersey City, it was pitched to businesses as a once-in-a-lifetime moment on the world stage.
Exactly why the event was canceled has not been confirmed.
News 12 did gain some insight from Jersey City. A spokesman said the governor made the right decision.
A statement from Jersey City said, “It became increasingly clear that there was no workable, cost-effective way to manage the influx of tens of thousands of fans into Liberty State Park, while maintaining access to the members of the Jersey City community.”
Gov. Mikie Sherrill stepped up with $5 million to pay for several game-day events spread out around New Jersey.
“From fan zones to neighborhood watch parties to street fairs, we are investing in the communities and small businesses that make New Jersey extraordinary," said the governor.
Eight matches are taking place at MetLife Stadium during the World Cup, plus the final.
Businesses and vendors have been pushed by the host committee to get in on the action.
They will just have to do it another way.
