Camden County, Visit South Jersey, NJEDA and local leaders announced SoccerFest26, a free three-day FIFA World Cup 2026 celebration on the Camden Waterfront June 25–27, with screenings, youth soccer training, vendor markets, and satellite fan zones across Sout
CAMDEN, N.J. — For many in South Jersey, the World Cup won’t start at a stadium. It will start on a waterfront.
On Thursday. the Camden County Board of Commissioners. Visit South Jersey. NJEDA. and state and local leaders announced SoccerFest26. a regional celebration designed to cover much of the tournament season across South Jersey. A centerpiece event is planned for a free three-day festival on the Camden Waterfront. where residents and visitors will gather to watch major matches happening nearby in Philadelphia and Northern New Jersey.
SoccerFest26 is scheduled for June 25–27 at Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden, N.J. The event will run each day from noon to 10 p.m. with additional programming planned in surrounding communities including Haddon Heights. Haddon Township. Glassboro. Collingswood. Burlington City and Haddonfield. Those locations will host micro-activations and fan zones throughout the tournament.
Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. said the goal is to bring the World Cup “directly to all corners of South Jersey” — with a festival at the Camden Waterfront meant to draw thousands of fans into the community.
“SoccerFest26 will bring the energy of the World Cup directly to all corners of South Jersey and most importantly to the Camden Waterfront. ” Cappelli said. “The Camden Waterfront will host a 3-day festival and draw thousands of fans into our community. giving people the chance to experience the excitement of the World Cup without traveling far or spending an extraordinary amount of money on a ticket.”.
Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen framed the event as an economic and cultural boost for the city’s small business community and as a point of connection across backgrounds.
“When it comes to athletics. it doesn’t get bigger than the greatest of all tournaments. the FIFA World Cup 2026™!” Carstarphen said. “The World Cup will elevate New Jersey to the world stage and will result in a tremendous economic boost for our small business community. There is so much excitement as residents from the City of Camden. Camden County. and South Jersey are eager to participate in SoccerFest26 along the Camden Waterfront. Soccer is a sport which brings people from all different backgrounds and cultures together. We expect the same unifying spirit to take hold in the City of Camden during SoccerFest26.”.
Assemblyman Bill Moen, who chairs the state Tourism, Gaming, and the Arts Committee, said South Jersey’s proximity to two match locations gives the region a unique role in the tournament build-up.
“SoccerFest26 offers an immersive World Cup experience residents and visitors don’t want to miss,” Moen said. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate soccer and South Jersey at its best, right at the region’s gateway. The World Cup doesn’t start and stop at the stadiums—it comes alive at SocerFest26 and the Camden Waterfront.”.
The event is supported by the $5 million NJ World Cup Community Initiative. launched by Governor Mikie Sherrill and developed and funded by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). Evan Weiss. CEO of NJEDA. said the initiative is meant to help ensure economic benefits reach communities and small businesses across the state.
“With millions of visitors and residents preparing to celebrate the World Cup in a few weeks. Governor Mikie Sherrill is committed to ensuring the economic benefits of soccer’s biggest stage reach communities and small businesses across New Jersey. ” Weiss said. “SoccerFest26 exemplifies the events that Governor Sherrill’s World Cup Community Initiative was designed to support. bringing together residents. small businesses. local vendors. and other partners to showcase the vibrancy of the community and deliver meaningful economic growth across the South Jersey region.”.
Jen Lenhardt, Chief Administrative Officer of Choose New Jersey, said events like SoccerFest26 help reinforce New Jersey’s appeal for living, visiting, and investing.
“As the FIFA World Cup draws attention to our region. SoccerFest26 offers a tremendous opportunity to showcase the energy and unique identity that define South Jersey. ” Lenhardt said. “Major events like this help elevate New Jersey’s visibility and reinforce why our state is a great place to invest and grow.”.
Visit South Jersey. the tourism marketing and promotion nonprofit agency serving the South Jersey region. has played a central planning and coordination role for activities at the Camden Waterfront and efforts to help other southern counties plan their own World Cup events. Visit South Jersey Chairman Scott Donnini emphasized the chance to turn the region into a welcoming viewing hub.
“With the greatest sporting event in the world happening all around us. SoccerFest will shine the World Cup spotlight directly us here in South Jersey. ” Donnini said. “SoccerFest will give us a place to celebrate with our neighbors while we introduce visitors from all over the world to what makes us special. and selfishly as a huge fan. I can’t wait to binge watch all the amazing games on the big screens!”.
Visit South Jersey Director of Operations Mike Snyder added that the Camden Waterfront is viewed as an accessible gathering spot for families, youth soccer organizations and community partners.
“The Camden Waterfront is one of the most visible and accessible gathering places in South Jersey. making it the ideal setting for SoccerFest26. ” Snyder said. “We are grateful for Camden County’s and the City of Camden’s partnership in helping create an event that will welcome residents. visitors. families. small businesses. vendors. youth soccer organizations and community partners as South Jersey celebrates its role in New Jersey’s World Cup moment.”.
On the Camden Waterfront. SoccerFest26 will feature large-screen match screenings for twelve games — including four matches played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. N.J. and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. The festival also will include international food and cultural offerings from New Jersey restaurants and food trucks. plus games. giveaways. and activities for soccer fans of all ages.
A Live Play Zone will provide free soccer skills training each morning with Rutgers-Camden student athletes and coaches. Another component, the SoccerFest Marketplace, will feature a curated selection of New Jersey craft and gift vendors. The South Jersey FlavorFest Wine and Beer Village will highlight South Jersey’s wineries and breweries.
The schedule of games streamed at the Camden Waterfront is set as follows:
Thursday, June 25:
Ecuador vs. Germany at 4 p.m. (New York/New Jersey)
Curacao vs. Ivory Coast at 4 p.m. (Philadelphia)
Tunisia vs. Netherlands at 7 p.m. (Kansas City)
Japan vs. Sweden at 7 p.m. (Dallas)
Friday, June 26:
Norway vs. France at 3 p.m. (Boston)
Senegal vs. Iraq at 3 p.m. (Toronto)
Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia at 8 p.m. (Houston)
Uruguay vs. Spain at 8 p.m. (Mexico)
Saturday, June 27:
Panama vs. England at 6 p.m. (New York/New Jersey)
Croatia vs. Ghana at 6 p.m. (Philadelphia)
Columbia vs. Portugal at 7:30 p.m. (Miami)
DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan at 7:30 p.m. (Atlanta)
Live Play Zone activities at SoccerFest26 will be offered by Visit South Jersey. Rutgers University–Camden Athletics. and the NJ Youth Soccer Association. Sessions will include 4v4 and 5v5 games with Rutgers-Camden student athletes and coaches. and are designed for fun. skill-building. and high-energy play. Sessions will begin at 9 a.m. each day of SoccerFest26 at the Rutgers University–Camden Athletic Complex.
Ages 6–8: 9 – 10 a.m.
Ages 9–11: 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Ages 12–14+: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Registration for the Live Play Zone is required, with limited walk-up spots available.
To learn more about SoccerFest26, organizers direct residents and visitors to visit the event’s website, with additional materials for photos available via a provided link.
SoccerFest26 Camden Waterfront FIFA World Cup 2026 Louis Cappelli Jr. Victor G. Carstarphen Bill Moen NJEDA Evan Weiss Visit South Jersey Rutgers-Camden Live Play Zone MetLife Stadium Lincoln Financial Field
Free and on the waterfront sounds awesome… June 25–27 right?
So is this like the World Cup games are actually gonna be there in Camden? Or just TV screenings? Either way I guess it’s cool but traffic’s gonna be nuts from people coming from everywhere.
I don’t get why Camden needs a “FIFA World Cup celebration” when the real thing is in Philly/NJ already. Sounds like they’re just doing vendor markets and calling it an event. Also “youth soccer training” sounds like free camps but who’s funding it?
Camden Waterfront June 25-27?? I’m not trying to get stuck parking in Haddon Heights again like last time. Hope the fan zones aren’t just a couple booths. And why does it say Sout CAMDEN in the article, did they leave out half the text or something? I saw “FIFA” and assumed it was official tickets or something.