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Newark, NJ — Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization, announced today that $5 million in grants are available to New Jersey-based organizations to host public fan experiences and events in celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in New Jersey this summer.
Governor Mikie Sherrill announced the launch of this $5 million World Cup Community Initiative earlier this year to bring the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to every corner of New Jersey. The initiative, supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) in partnership with the FIFA World Cup 26 New York New Jersey Host Committee (“NYNJ Host Committee”), will assist communities across the state in creating extraordinary fan experiences throughout the World Cup.
Last month, the NJEDA allocated funding to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee to support the State’s World Cup Community Initiative. Following this disbursement, the NYNJ Host Committee selected Choose New Jersey as a strategic partner to serve as administrator of the funding and manage the initiative, supporting public fan events, initiatives, and marketing efforts that advance New Jersey’s role in the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Choose New Jersey is now accepting grant applications for two types of events, “New Jersey Large Scale, Multi-Day, Multi-Location Events” and “New Jersey Smaller Statewide Initiatives.” The grants will help activate fan zones, street fairs, watch parties, and festivals that showcase New Jersey’s communities and amplify the impact of small businesses throughout the state.
The two types of events supported are:
“New Jersey Large-scale, Multi-Day, Multi-Location Events:”
Funds will be deployed for major fan zone experiences strategically distributed throughout New Jersey, creating large-scale public viewing destinations for fans across the state. Applicants must be New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations.
Apply here for large events. Applications close on April 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
“New Jersey Smaller Statewide Initiatives:”
Separate funds will be deployed to support smaller-scale, high-impact events across New Jersey. These include regional fairs, community festivals, cultural celebrations, and public watch parties. Grants will be awarded directly to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities hosting events.
Apply here for smaller statewide events. Applications close on April 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Inquiries regarding the World Cup Community Initiative Grants may be directed to Choose New Jersey via email at eventgrant26@choosenj.com.
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