New Jersey is rolling out a creative way to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to everyone, not just those with deep pockets. Starting June 1, residents and visitors can earn points by simply exploring neighborhoods, shopping at small businesses, and attending community festivals. Those points then become entries into raffles for match tickets, including the grand final at MetLife Stadium.
The program, called Welcome World Rewards, is a free digital platform designed to spread the economic benefits of the World Cup beyond the stadium gates. Governor Mikie Sherrill announced the initiative in Hackensack, emphasizing that it’s about making the tournament a shared experience. “By linking this platform with community watch parties and neighborhood events, we are generating more opportunities for both New Jerseyans and tourists to participate in this moment,” she said.
How It Works: Points, QR Codes, and Prizes
Getting started is straightforward. Anyone of legal age can register online through the state government’s website, no permanent residency required. Once registered, users earn points in three ways:
- Scanning at shops and restaurants: Participating businesses display official QR codes. Scanning them adds points automatically.
- Attending official events: Neighborhood watch parties and cultural celebrations organized by the NYNJ Host Committee also award points.
- Reaching milestones: As users accumulate points, they unlock official merchandise, concert passes, exclusive experiences, and entries into raffles for World Cup match tickets.
The system uses geolocation and digital scanning to track visits, ensuring that every trip to a local taquería in Newark or a festival in Jersey City counts toward a chance at the biggest matches. The program will run throughout the entire World Cup calendar, so there’s plenty of time to rack up points.
A $5 Million Bet on Local Commerce
This isn’t just a feel-good gimmick. The state and the Host Committee have invested $5 million into Welcome World Rewards, aiming to channel some of the tournament’s massive corporate energy toward small businesses. More than 550 micro-businesses have already signed up to welcome fans, from bodegas in Paterson to family-run restaurants in Trenton. The goal is to ensure that the World Cup’s cultural and economic impact reaches all 21 counties, not just the areas around MetLife Stadium.
For Latino communities across New Jersey, this program offers a tangible way to engage with the World Cup beyond watching games on TV. Many of the participating businesses are Latino-owned, and the events will likely feature music, food, and traditions from across the Americas. It’s a reminder that the World Cup is as much about the diaspora as it is about the teams on the pitch.
For context, New Jersey is also making World Cup tickets more accessible through other efforts. New York secured 1,000 $50 World Cup tickets for local residents, showing a regional push to democratize access. Meanwhile, the 2026 World Cup schedule includes key matches across North America, with MetLife Stadium hosting the final and several high-profile games.
Welcome World Rewards is a smart, community-first approach to a global event. It turns every trip to a local shop or festival into a chance to be part of history, and it keeps the spirit of the World Cup alive in the neighborhoods that make New Jersey vibrant. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a tourist from Buenos Aires, this program invites you to earn your place in the stands.
