Under the name "Game on! Culture Fest" the initiative will feature family-friendly programming,
workforce development opportunities, and cultural celebrations made possible through a collaborative
partnership with local community partners, including the City of Elizabeth, the County of Union, and
Welcome World — a major initiative launched by the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York/New Jersey
Host Committee designed to connect local fans and visitors with small businesses and community events
across the region.
The first event, a World Cup-inspired Family Festival, will take place on Sunday, July 12, 2026
(Rain Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026) from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Todd Bowles Waterfront Sports
Complex in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Soccer clinics will be provided by Champions for Change and special guests from the MLS.
More than a celebration, the following event aims to provide local businesses and professionals strategic
partnerships through networking opportunities and workforce readiness with development programs. This
will unfold on Monday, July 13, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Kean University .