By Jaimie Julia Winters
When the FIFA World Cup comes to New Jersey this summer, many fans won’t be heading to MetLife Stadium. With ticket prices ranging from hundreds to more than a thousand dollars, Kearny residents have another option: experiencing the world’s biggest sporting event right here in the birthplace of American soccer.
For more than a century, Kearny has earned the nickname “Soccer Town, USA.” Scottish and Irish immigrants brought the game with them in the late 1800s when they arrived to work in the town’s textile mills. Since then, soccer has become part of Kearny’s identity, producing generations of players, coaches, and fans—including U.S. National Team legends Tony Meola, Tab Ramos, and John Harkes.
This summer, fans can celebrate that legacy at local watch parties, neighborhood bars, breweries, and nearby fan festivals that offer all the excitement of the World Cup without the stadium price tag.
Watch the World Cup Under the Stars
The Town of Kearny will host free public viewing parties at Veterans Field on Belgrove Drive, inviting residents and visitors to gather with family, friends, and fellow soccer fans.
Scheduled matches include:
- June 19: United States vs. Australia, 3 p.m.
- June 24: Scotland vs. Brazil, 6 p.m.
- June 26: Spain vs. Uruguay, 8 p.m.
“Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the games on a giant outdoor screen comparable in size to those used during the town’s popular Movies in the Park events,” township officials said.
Admission is free and no tickets are required.
Visitors should note that coolers and pets are not permitted, and parking will be limited because Belgrove Drive will be closed between Bergen and Afton avenues during the events.
A Brewery Built for Soccer Fans
A short drive from Kearny, Varitage Brew Works in Bloomfield has become one of New Jersey’s premier destinations for soccer supporters.
The brewery even created a beer inspired by Kearny’s soccer heritage: Soccertown Lager.
Owner and head brewer Mark Costa, a former college player and current high school soccer coach, built the brewery’s soccer-centered culture around childhood memories of watching matches with his father.
“Those afternoons watching soccer with my dad and fellow fans were always special,” Costa said. “It was my childhood. It was our tradition. I wanted to bring that tradition to our taproom.”
The brewery hosts viewing parties year-round and will celebrate the World Cup with:
- June 19: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Australia, 2-6 p.m.
- July 18: World Cup Final watch party, 1-7 p.m.
Events will take place in the lot across from the brewery, where beer trucks will serve Soccertown Lager and other brews while fans gather to watch the matches.
A Stadium-Sized Fan Experience in Harrison
For those looking for a larger World Cup atmosphere without paying stadium prices, the NYNJ World Cup 26 Jersey Fan Hub at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison offers another option.
Operating on select dates from June 13 through July 15, the fan hub will feature:
- Live broadcasts of World Cup matches
- A 60-foot viewing screen on the field
- Live entertainment
- Interactive fan experiences
- Food and beverage vendors
- Family-friendly activities
On June 14, KIDZ BOP heads to Sports Illustrated Stadium for an energetic Family Day Concert and Watch Party celebration. Germany vs. Curacao at 1 p.m., Concert: 2:30-4 p.m., and Netherlands vs. Japan at 4 p.m. Tickets are $45, while children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult.
June 23 -27 tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance. Click here to get tickets.
The venue is expected to become one of the region’s largest public gathering places for fans during the tournament.
Kearny’s Favorite Soccer Bars
Matson’s Bar & Grill
699 Elm St., Kearny
A longtime neighborhood favorite, Matson’s is known among local supporters as a place where soccer is always on television. During the World Cup, expect packed crowds, spirited cheering, and a strong local soccer atmosphere, the owner said.
1 Republik
26 Ridge Road, North Arlington
Just minutes from Kearny, 1 Republik is promoting every World Cup match on its large-screen televisions with surround sound, creating a stadium-like viewing experience for fans.
Scots American Athletic Club
40 Patterson St., Kearny
Perhaps no venue better represents Kearny’s soccer heritage than the Scots American Athletic Club.
The historic club has long been a gathering place for players, coaches, supporters, and international soccer fans. With large HD screens and deep roots in the sport’s American history, it remains one of the most iconic soccer venues in the country.
Access, however, is limited to members and their guests.
Gear Up Before Kickoff
No World Cup experience is complete without a jersey.
Soccer Post Kearny
256 Kearny Ave.
Located in the heart of Soccer Town USA, Soccer Post carries official FIFA World Cup merchandise, including national team jerseys, training gear, cleats, soccer balls, and fan apparel.
The store stocks many of the latest international kits, including Team USA merchandise and other tournament favorites.
CVS FIFA Fan Shop
Select CVS locations, including the Schuyler Avenue store, are carrying officially licensed merch at the CVS FIFA Brand Shop, such as:
- Graphic T-shirts
- Caps and snapback hats
- Collectible cups
- Panini sticker collections
- Activewear and accessories
Learn Why Kearny Is Soccer Town, USA
Before the first whistle blows, fans looking to deepen their appreciation for the game can watch the recently released documentary Soccertown, USA, now available on YouTube.
The film explores Kearny’s extraordinary role in shaping American soccer through the stories of local legends John Harkes, Tab Ramos, and Tony Meola, three childhood friends who helped lead the United States back to the World Cup after a 40-year absence.
The documentary traces Kearny’s evolution from a mill town populated by Scottish immigrants to one of the nation’s most influential soccer communities. It highlights the town’s claim as the cradle of American soccer, including what is widely considered the first unofficial international soccer match played in the United States in 1885.
It also shows how newer generations of immigrants from Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and other soccer-loving nations have continued the town’s passion for the beautiful game.
More than a century after soccer first arrived in Kearny, the sport remains woven into everyday life. This summer, as the World Cup takes center stage in New Jersey, Soccer Town USA will once again have a front-row seat.
Whether you’re watching from Veterans Field, cheering at a local bar, raising a glass of Soccertown Lager, or reliving history through a documentary, there may be no better place in America to experience the World Cup than Kearny.