Hackensack Meridian Health Named Official New York New Jersey World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter, Championing Community Health and Investment

Hackensack Meridian Health Is The Official Hometown Hospital of the NYNJ Host Committee

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), New Jersey’s largest health network and home to the number one hospital in the NY/NJ metro area, and top 20 in the nation, is announcing a landmark collaboration, as an Official New York New Jersey World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter in the lead up to FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Hackensack Meridian Health will support the NYNJ Host Committee as it prepares the region in hosting eight FIFA World Cup™ matches in 2026, including the Final at New York New Jersey (MetLife) Stadium on July 19, as well as FIFA Fan Festival™ New York New Jersey at Liberty State Park, and other events.

Today’s announcement includes Hackensack Meridian Health as the Official Hometown Hospital of the NYNJ 2026 World Cup Host Committee underscoring HMH’s commitment to building healthier communities through medical support for matches and for the millions of visitors expected to be in the state for FIFA World Cup 2026™ events.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, not just to host a world-class event, but to invest in the health and well-being of the communities we serve every day,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “This partnership is about so much more than soccer. It’s about building a healthier future. From providing elite medical readiness for the event, and experienced based advice on combating human trafficking, to creating new spaces for our children to play and learn healthy habits, we are proud to help our region shine on the world stage and leave a meaningful impact that will last for years to come.”

This collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to the community focused on leveraging the world’s biggest sporting event to advance public health, inspire the next generation, and showcase New Jersey and New York as a premier global destination.

Key pillars of the partnership include:

Ensuring World-Class Medical Readiness: As the home of Hackensack University Medical Center—the closest Level 1 Trauma Center to MetLife Stadium, and a nationally ranked top 20 hospital, Hackensack University Medical Center is uniquely positioned to support the complex medical and safety operations for an event of this magnitude. That’s why Hackensack Meridian Health is the Official Hometown Hospital of the NYNJ Host Committee. HMH has a long history of providing trusted medical services for premier events, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Super Bowl XLVIII, and for world-class teams like the New York Giants and New York Red Bulls. Our network of urgent cares and health and wellness centers throughout the state will provide additional medical care for people visiting the region for events surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Share Experience-Based Learnings On Human Trafficking For Strategic Planning: With extensive experience with large-scale violence screenings for patients, Hackensack Meridian Health will share its learnings after screening more than 78,000 patients for human trafficking in 2025. Given the global scale of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the world’s largest sporting event, it also heightens responsibility to remain vigilant against human trafficking, a crisis already affecting 27.6 million people worldwide. With support from the NYNJ Host Committee, Hackensack Meridian Health will provide regional partners valuable insight to arm health systems, other host committees, and law enforcement in rooting out traffickers and identifying and assisting human trafficking victims.

Investing in Healthier Communities: HMH will fund and develop three permanent “Legacy Fields”—mini-pitches throughout New Jersey. These fields will provide safe, state-of-the-art spaces for youth to engage in soccer and other sports, promoting active lifestyles and fostering healthy habits and community connection.

Championing a Cause: The partnership will spotlight Tackle Kids Cancer, a philanthropic initiative of the Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health, as an Official Charity of the NYNJ Host Committee. This global platform will raise critical awareness and funds to support pediatric cancer research and patient programs.

Engaging Our Team and Community: HMH will empower its 38,000+ team members to get involved through dedicated volunteer opportunities, helping to bring the event to life for millions of visitors. HMH will also lead public health initiatives focused on keeping fans safe and healthy through its “How Healthy Happens” campaign, with tips on hydration, sun safety, and wellness at NYNJ Host Committee events.

“To deliver a world-class FIFA World Cup 2026™, we are working with organizations with deep community roots and unparalleled expertise,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee. “Hackensack Meridian Health meets that standard in every way. Their commitment to public health and their proven ability to manage complex medical operations make them indispensable to our mission of delivering a safe, memorable, and impactful tournament for all.”

This partnership underscores HMH’s role as a vital economic and civic contributor to the state, supporting an event that is projected to bring more than 1.2 million visitors and generate more than $3.3 billion in economic impact for the NYNJ region.