EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey—Days before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there was no outward sign that this desolate, trash-strewn parking lot in New Jersey would soon become one of the priciest stretches of asphalt in the tri-state area.
The newly refurbished World of Blue hotel will charge soccer fans $450 to park here on the night of the tournament final, to be held across the highway at MetLife Stadium, which will host eight matches in total over the next five weeks.
