2026 world cup, fiserv & HAX
This was a busy and exciting month for the Choose New Jersey team! We had a leading role in pitching New Jersey as the ideal location for the 2026 World Cup tournament, Fiserv’s headquarters and the new HAX accelerator. Along with our State partners, we put into perspective all the assets and accessibility New Jersey offers, resulting in major wins.
⚽ We were thrilled to welcome the FIFA committee for the New York/New Jersey host city bid for the 2026 World Cup. We are confident that NY/NJ will be a top contender for the tournament!
💸 Fiserv, a Fortune 500 fintech company, will be expanding its footprint in New Jersey. The company will open a new Berkeley Heights office employing 3,000 tech workers.
⚙️ Global VC firm SOSV is choosing Newark to be the home of the new HAX accelerator. After a competitive search, SOSV ultimately decided that Newark would be the best place to support the growth of hard tech startups.
Current economic hardships reflect the global COVID-19 pandemic.
New Jersey Economic Trends
▲ Increase 0.68% from July to August
▼ Decrease 3.8% YoY | U.S. 5.2%
Q2 2021 | 6.40% Q1 2021
▲ Increase 5.3% YoY
Bond Rating
Moody: A3
Outlook change from 2020, stable
S&P: BBB+
Outlook change from 2020, positive
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Big Moves
Clean Energy
The New Jersey Wind Port broke ground as a first-in-nation infrastructure investment. The port has potential to create up to 1,500 manufacturing, assembly, and operations jobs, as well as hundreds of union construction jobs.
Job Creation
Party City became the first company to win an award under the Emerge Program, a new NJEDA job creation incentive program. The Fortune 500 company will bring its HQ & 357 new jobs to Bergen County.
Sports Betting
Sports betting company Prophet announced it is opening a HQ on the Hudson in Hoboken – widely regarded as one of the main gambling hubs outside of Atlantic City & Las Vegas. This further solidifies NJ as the new home of sports betting in the U.S.
Board Spotlight
Montclair state & PSEG
Montclair State University & PSEG are helping move New Jersey toward its ambitious energy goals by extending their collaborative partnership which aims to focus on increasing sustainability in communities across the state.
NJIT
New Jersey Institute of Technology was among the 50 best schools in the country for undergraduates who want to become entrepreneurs. The university offers 17 credit-bearing entrepreneurship courses and extracurricular activities.
CEO Corner - Jose Lozano
We are absolutely thrilled that SOSV chose Newark for the new HAX accelerator, and that Fiserv chose Berkley Heights for its new office. I can’t overstate the positive impact this will have on our State, and will put us on the map as a thriving tech hub. Through many meetings, presentations, pitchbooks and tours we showcased New Jersey’s amazing talent, top universities, and robust infrastructure. Ultimately, both companies recognized the value of a New Jersey location. In addition, New York/New Jersey was proud to host the FIFA committee visit to present MetLife Stadium as a world-class facility to host the tournament. I am incredibly proud of the work of my team and their dedication to these projects. We look forward to supporting the success of HAX, Fiserv and possibly the 2026 World Cup!
Point of Pride
Notable & Quotable
“We are excited to be here. We have been very well received by the Governor, the Mayor, and the whole team. Their passion for their game, and their passion to bring the World Cup to New York and New Jersey comes through very clearly.”
-FIFA Vice-President and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani
