Claim: The new legislation will impose a temporary 2.5% surcharge on hotel occupancy, 3% sales surcharge within the Meadowlands district on retail purchases, a $0.50 surcharge on rideshare trips, and 10% surcharge on online sports betting revenue.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to the United States, with eight matches set to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Naturally, the city is expected to see a massive influx of tourists when the tournament kicks off in June 2026. In response, Governor Mikie Sherrill has backed plans for temporary surcharges on hotels, shopping near the stadium, and ride-share services.

But it wasn’t until May 4 that Assemblyman Michael Venezia introduced Assembly Bill A4838. The bill proposes an additional 10% charge on sports betting during the World Cup, alongside the other temporary fees. A matching Senate bill was also introduced to support the measure. According to reports, the bill seeks to add: 

• 2.5% extra on hotel rooms in most of New Jersey.
• 3% extra sales tax on shopping, food, and tickets in the Meadowlands area near the stadium.
• 50 cents extra on Uber/Lyft rides to/from the stadium area.

Our Verdict: True

While it’s true that the new legislation will lead to higher prices, it’s important to remember that the additional charges are only temporary. It only applies to the Meadowlands area, roughly 30 sq miles. And in case of taxes proposed on betting, the surcharge applies to the operator’s net revenue, not bettors directly.

The primary goal is to offset the costs associated with hosting the World Cup in the city, including expanded bus and train services, increased police presence, and additional cleanup efforts.

New Jersey lawmakers argue that local residents should not have to shoulder the financial burden of hosting the tournament on their own, and that these temporary surcharges will help ease that pressure. If the bill is passed, the added charges are expected to remain in effect through July 20, when the games end.

According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), host cities are expected to lose millions in tax revenue due to FIFA-related exemptions while still facing significant public expenses. ITEP estimates that host cities will spend between $100 million and $200 million on infrastructure, security, and logistics.

Under the newly introduced legislation, residents who end up paying extra during this period will be eligible to receive reimbursement through tax credits. While the proposal appears straightforward in theory, the bill has faced bipartisan criticism.

Opposition against the bill has already started forming

Rep. Josh Gottheimer has urged Governor Mikie Sherrill and legislative leaders to reconsider the plan, emphasizing in a letter that residents never asked for higher taxes.

“In October, the governor said she would not raise the sales tax. That’s exactly what this does,” Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips said.

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Al Barlas argued that businesses around the stadium had already made plans and investments based on different expectations surrounding the tournament.

“Changing the rules of the game after the fact is wrong,” Barlas added.

Barlas also criticized the rushed timeline to pass and implement the bill before the games begin. At the same time, members of the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees have called for an immediate joint hearing with the NYNJ FIFA 2026 Host Committee to address concerns over the impact of the additional taxes on local residents, planning transparency, and potential cost overruns.

In a letter to budget committee leaders, lawmakers argued that the new legislation was moving forward without “a clear and complete understanding of the commitments made on behalf of taxpayers.”

Our fact-checking sources

• The Perl New York, April 08, 2026. MetLife Stadium Schedule: Explore What’s Happening
• New Jersey Monitor, April 16, 2026. Gov. Sherrill backs sales tax hike during World Cup matches as ‘tourism fee’
• LegiScan, May 4, 2026. Assembly Bill 4838
• Gambeling Insider, May 6, 2026. New Jersey World Cup Bills Would Add Sports Betting Surcharge Amid Transit Cost Backlash
• Insider NJ, May 7, 2026. Sherrill Stands Firm Against FIFA in Defense of NJ Taxpayers
• ITEP, December 5, 2025. Not-So-Free Kick: How the 2026 FIFA World Cup Will Cost Cities Millions
• NJ Assembly GOP, April 23, 2026. GOP Budget Members Demand Hearings on FIFA World Cup Costs, Transparency
• NJ Assembly GOP, March 30, 2026. DePhillips, Barlas Slam World Cup Tax Hike Proposal as “Another Trenton Cash Grab”