Game Day Ready – Small Business Playbook

Game Day Ready graphic

As Union County gears up for a season of global competition, local businesses have a unique opportunity to bring fans together.

Being “Game Day Ready” means more than showing the game, it’s about creating a welcoming, organized, and engaging experience that supports both your business and the community.

Joseph Bodek
Chairman

Watch Party Guidelines

This information is provided to help community organizations, venues, and residents understand general considerations for hosting watch parties during major international tournaments.

Event hosts are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable broadcast, licensing, and local requirements. View Public Viewing Regulations or email publicviewing@fifa.org.

As Union County gears up for a season of global competition, local businesses have a unique opportunity to bring fans together. Being “Game Day Ready” means more than showing the game, it’s about creating a welcoming, organized, and engaging experience that supports both your business and the community.

These guidelines will help you plan and host a successful watch party from start to finish.

Click here to Download the Official NYNJ Community Engagement Toolkit to see how you can get involved.

What Is a Watch Party?

A community watch party is a social gathering where people come together to watch a live soccer match outside of a private home. These events may take place in locations such as:

  • Community centers
  • Libraries
  • Parks or outdoor spaces
  • Universities or churches
  • Restaurants, bars, or similar venues
When Do Matches Take Place?

Matches for the 2026 international soccer tournament will air between June 11 and July 19, 2026. All matches will be broadcast live by authorized media partners in the United States.

Match Schedule for New Jersey and New York.

Who Can Host a Watch Party?

Anyone may host a watch party. However, some events require a public viewing license, depending on:

  • Attendance size
  • Location
  • Whether the event is commercial or non-commercial

Public Viewing Regulations.

 What is a FIFA Public Viewing License? 

Businesses hosting public watch parties are required to obtain a public viewing license from the appropriate media rights holder.

In the United States, FOX holds the English-language and most non-Spanish broadcast rights, while Telemundo holds the Spanish-language rights. Businesses should contact the applicable network in advance to ensure compliance.

When Is a Public Viewing License Required?

A public viewing license may be required if:

  • The event is held in a non-commercial venue (such as a park, university, church, or community center), and
  • Attendance is expected to exceed 1,000 people

A license is generally not required for:

  • Non-commercial events with fewer than 1,000 attendees
  • Sports bars, restaurants, or retail establishments that regularly show live sports as part of normal business operations

Licenses are issued through the official broadcast rights holdersFOX and Telemundo for the United States.

Fee Overview
  • A Commercial or Special Non-Commercial Public Viewing Event license covers all matches of the tournament.
  • License fees are generally based on the maximum number of spectators the venue can hold.
  • A single license may be issued for multiple locations. In those cases, the total fee is calculated by adding together the fees for each location.
  • Unless otherwise specified by the licensing authority, all fees are due immediately once a payment request is issued. Payment instructions will be provided at that time.
Branding and Promotion Guidelines

When promoting a watch party:

  • Avoid any language or design that suggests official endorsement or affiliation
  • Use general, descriptive language such as “soccer watch party” or “international tournament viewing”
  • Do not use official tournament names, logos, mascots, or trademarks in event titles or advertising
  • Team names may be referenced in text, but official team logos should not be used
Other Key Considerations

Broadcast Rules

  • Live only: No delays or replays.
  • No broadcast modifications: No edits, overlays, or replacements.

Coverage Windows

  • Opening/Closing Matches: Start 20 minutes before kick-off; end at least 10 minutes after.
  • All Other Matches: Start 10 minutes before kick-off; end at least 10 minutes after.

Political Association

  • Do not link the event or broadcast to any political party, candidate, or campaign.

Exhibitor Responsibilities

  • All public viewing exhibitors must adhere to FIFA’s Public Viewing Regulations.
  • Arrange any required local permits, insurance, and safety measures.
  • Ensure accessibility and manage capacity.
  • Coordinate with local authorities for crowd management, if needed.
  • Coordinate with the FIFA Media Partner on signal acquisition and quality assurance.
Sponsorships, Fees and Sales

Some watch parties may be subject to restrictions related to:

  • Sponsorships
  • Admission fees
  • Food and beverage sales

Hosts should review applicable licensing and broadcast requirements before planning any commercial activity related to an event.

Public Safety and Community Awareness

Being Game Day Ready goes beyond hosting. It means helping protect your community. With increased foot traffic during major events, businesses play a key role in recognizing and responding to signs of human trafficking.

Know the Signs

As the U.S. anti-trafficking movement has grown in our understanding of this complex crime, we are learning more about how specific people, such as medical professionals, teachers, truck drivers, and restaurant personnel, in addition to friends and family members, can help identify and report possible trafficking.

Everyone can help by learning the types of trafficking and paying attention to the people around us. 

Anyone can experience trafficking in any community, just as anyone can be the victim of any kind of crime. Many societal factors can put people at risk. Traffickers recognize and take advantage of people who are at-risk.

Large public gatherings can increase activity in hospitality, transportation, and service sectors. Hosts and attendees are encouraged to remain aware of public safety considerations, including knowing how to report concerns related to human trafficking or other emergencies.

If you see something concerning:

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Important Notes
  • This page is intended for general informational purposes only. Hosting organizations are responsible for obtaining any required licenses, permissions, permits, and insurance, and for complying with all local, state, and federal regulations.
  • For official and up-to-date requirements, hosts should consult the appropriate broadcast rights holders and governing authorities.
  • This resource is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by FIFA or the tournament organizers.
Game Day the Local Way! UC Watch Party Hub

The UC Watch Party Hub is your go to destination for discovering where the action is across Union County. This dynamic digital space brings local experiences to life; connecting residents with nearby watch parties, special promotions, themed events, and exclusive deals hosted by restaurants, bars, and community spaces.

This hub makes it easy to find where to watch, where to go, and where to save-while supporting the businesses that make our community thrive. Whether you’re hosting a packed watch party, offering a game day special, or creating a unique in store promotion, your business can be part of something bigger.

Use #UCWatchParty to showcase your event, promotion, or special offer and get featured on the hub; putting your location on the map for fans and customers across the County.

More than just a listing, the UC Watch Party Hub is about building energy, driving foot traffic, and creating real economic impact for local businesses. It’s a countywide initiative designed to turn major moments into opportunities-where the community comes together, celebrates together, and supports local one experience at a time.

Visit the #UCWATCHPARTY HUB