Ironbound Fan Village brings World Cup excitement to Newark
Organizers say every match of the tournament will be shown on two large LED screens, giving fans a chance to follow the action throughout the competition.
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Soccer fans don’t need a ticket to MetLife Stadium to be part of the World Cup atmosphere this summer.
The Ironbound Fan Village opened along Ferry Street in Newark, creating a gathering place for fans to watch matches, celebrate their teams and experience the diverse cultures that make the neighborhood unique.
Organizers say every match of the tournament will be shown on two large LED screens, giving fans a chance to follow the action throughout the competition.
Located just a short walk from Newark Penn Station, the fan zone is expected to attract visitors from across New Jersey and beyond.
To bring the festival to live, it took months of preparation.
"Now that everything is said and done, It looks beautiful," said Carlos Ferreira, a spokesperson with Fan Village. "But there was a lot of work behind it that took months. Not only the daily work, but months to prepare. We met every Monday at Sport Club Portuguese Community Center, around the corner of prospect to delineate strategies to make this viable."
For many fans, the biggest win isn’t just what’s happening on the field. It’s having a free place to experience the action.
"It's a very smart thing they did because who one to pay thousands of dollars to go to MetLife when they have this whole thing," said Joseph, a soccer fan. "They have whole set up for people to watch for free. It makes way more sense."
In addition to the matches, attendees can enjoy food representing many of the cultures that call Newark home, including Portuguese, Brazilian, Ecuadorian, Spanish and Central American cuisines. Live entertainment, including DJs, singers, and cultural performances, is also planned throughout the tournament.
