Poll: Most New Jersey voters expect World Cup economic boost but worry about traffic, transit impacts
NEW JERSEY – Most New Jersey voters believe hosting FIFA World Cup matches next year will benefit the state’s economy, but many are also concerned about traffic congestion, crowded public transportation and strain on local services, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll.
The survey found that 64% of New Jersey voters believe World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium will help the state’s economy, with 25% saying the tournament will help “a lot” and 39% saying it will help “a little.” Sixteen percent said the event will have no real economic effect, while 12% believe it will hurt the state’s economy to some degree.
Voters expressed similar views regarding the expected impact on neighboring New York’s economy.
At the same time, concerns about transportation and public services remain widespread. Three-quarters of respondents said they are concerned about traffic and travel delays during the tournament, including 49% who said they are “very concerned.” Sixty-four percent expressed concern about NJ TRANSIT crowding, and 60% said they are concerned about the impact on local emergency services.
“New Jersey voters see the World Cup as a likely economic win for the region, even as many are tuning out the tournament itself,” said Ashley Koning, an assistant research professor and director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. “What they are paying attention to is what it will mean for getting around the state. Voters welcome the boost but are bracing for the traffic, the transit crowding, and the strain on local services that come with it.”
While New Jersey will host several World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the poll found many residents are not closely following the tournament itself.
Only 8% of voters said they are following World Cup news “very closely,” while 17% said “somewhat closely.” By comparison, nearly half of respondents said they are paying attention to news about how the tournament could affect travel, traffic, security and the economy in New Jersey.
The survey also found limited plans among residents to attend World Cup-related events. Two percent of voters said they plan to attend a match at MetLife Stadium, while 4% plan to attend a fan zone or watch party in New Jersey. About one-third said they expect to watch matches from home.
When asked who they expect to win the tournament, voters selected Brazil as the favorite at 23%, followed by the United States at 19%. France, Spain and Argentina each received 9%.
“New Jerseyans have relatively high hopes about the U.S.’s chances going into the tournament, though that optimism softens among those paying the closest attention,” said David Martin, a research associate at ECPIP. “Fans following the tournament most closely tend to favor traditional heavyweights like Brazil, France, and Spain, but there is still plenty of optimism about this young U.S. team.”
The poll found younger voters expressed greater concern about the World Cup’s local impact than older residents. Sixty-seven percent of voters ages 18 to 34 said they were very concerned about traffic and travel delays, compared with 39% of voters age 65 and older.
The Rutgers-Eagleton Poll surveyed 859 registered New Jersey voters from May 15-19 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points.
