The 80,000-seat stadium in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey is known as MetLife Stadium when the Giants and the Jets play there. But it is changing its name for the duration of the 2026 World Cup.

“FIFA, the organizers of the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, don’t want the companies the stadiums are named after to overshadow its own sponsors,” according to The New York Times. “The Olympics has enforced a no-corporate-naming rule for years, but for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, it has said that sponsors of major venues, like SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome, can keep their names on the arenas, if they pay for that right.”

World Cup games this year will be held at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, not Levi’s Stadium; the Dallas Stadium instead of AT&T Stadium and Houston Stadium instead of NRG Stadium. 

“MetLife, the insurance company, has four large illuminated signs bearing its name around the stadium, as well as signs inside, that will have to be removed or concealed,” according to The New York Times. “The stadium is also routinely referred to by name in news articles (including this one) and on broadcasts of games, giving the brand further exposure. That’s why MetLife was willing to pay $17 million to $20 million a year, over 25 years, beginning in 2011 for the stadium’s naming rights.”

A FIFA spokesman said the organization is “working closely with stadium authorities and host cities to implement these requirements.” MetLife Stadium referred all questions to FIFA.

“Work crews in New Jersey began covering the MetLife Stadium branding this week,” according to Fox 4 News. “The home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets already has FIFA World Cup logos displayed on one side of the stadium.”

FIFA apparently hit a unique roadblock with the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia.

“FIFA policy strictly prohibits any form of corporate branding, marketing, or commercial naming rights within the stadium footprint during the competition,” according to BOLA VIP. “However, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium features a complex retractable roof with the automotive brand’s logo integrated directly into the center of the aperture. Following 18 months of negotiations to find a way to remove or cover the logo on the stadium’s dome, engineers determined there was no feasible way to do so without risking structural damage.”

Consequently, FIFA has been forced to allow the logo to remain. The venue is scheduled to host eight matches.

FIFA is offering stadium tours at seven venues, including several which are undergoing the name change.

“The list includes MetLife Stadium, AT&T Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lumen Field, Arrowhead Stadium and SoFi Stadium,” according to FWC Live. “The selection makes sense from a fan-demand point of view. These are some of the best-known stadiums in North America, and several will host high-profile knockout games. By opening tours early, FIFA and venue operators can monetize attention before the event reaches full speed. It also helps build familiarity for travelers who want to understand the layout before match day.”