New York / New Jersey: The Grand Final Host

🏟️ Venue: MetLife Stadium

Location: East Rutherford, NJ (8 miles west of NYC)

Capacity: 82,500

Key Matches: The Final (July 19), Round of 32, Round of 16.

Pro Tip: Take the NJ Transit train from Penn Station (NY) to Secaucus Junction, then transfer to the Meadowlands Rail Line. Do NOT drive; traffic will be a nightmare.

🏨 Where to Stay

• Midtown Manhattan (NYC): The heart of the action. Stay near Penn Station (Moynihan Train Hall) for the easiest transit to the game. Expensive but worth it for the vibe.
• Secaucus / Meadowlands (NJ): Pure convenience. Hotels here are cheaper and minutes from the stadium, but you'll miss the NYC nightlife.
• Jersey City / Hoboken: A great middle ground. vibrant downtowns, great views of NYC skyline, and PATH train access to Manhattan.

🌮 Where to Eat

• Pizza: Joe's Pizza (Greenwich Village) or John's of Bleecker Street for the classic NY slice.
• Bagels: Ess-a-Bagel or Liberty Bagels. A must-do breakfast.
• Fine Dining: Le Bernardin or Keens Steakhouse for a celebration meal.
• NJ Diner: Tops Diner in East Newark is legendary if you're staying on the Jersey side.

🎢 Things to Do

• Summit One Vanderbilt: The best observation deck in NYC with glass floors and mirrors.
• Central Park: Rent a bike or just walk the loop.
• Broadway Show: Book tickets in advance for hits like Hamilton or The Lion King.
• American Dream Mall: Right next to the stadium! Has an indoor ski slope, water park, and theme park.

💎 Hidden Gem

The High Line & Little Island: Walk the elevated park built on an old rail line in Chelsea, then head to Little Island, a floating park on the Hudson River. Great for sunset views.

🤓 5 Fun Facts

1. MetLife Stadium is one of only two NFL stadiums shared by two teams (Giants & Jets).
2. New York City is the most linguistically diverse city in the world, with over 800 languages spoken.
3. The Statue of Liberty is technically in New Jersey waters, though NY manages it.
4. NYC's subway system runs 24/7, one of the few in the world to do so.
5. The first-ever pizzeria in the US opened in NYC in 1905 (Lombardi's).