NJ Lawmakers Aim to Boost Local Sales Tax by 45 Percent for World Cup
3rd April 2026
It’s been four years since New Jersey found out it would be hosting the 2026 World Cup — but with only two months until the first game, lawmakers in Trenton are trying to push a 45% spike in local sales taxes.
State Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo wants to temporarily increase sales taxes from 6.6% to 9.6% in the Meadowlands District — the 30-square-mile area centered around the MetLife Stadium complex that includes mostly commercial and industrial parts of 14 towns in Bergen and Hudson counties.
Sarlo’s measure would also create a new 50-cent surcharge on every ride-share trip in the district. It would add a new 2.5% surcharge on hotel bookings around the state, with an exception for the Jersey Shore. Casinos and sports books operating out of New Jersey would also be charged 10% for every World Cup bet they receive.
“How can we make these visitors welcome?” “I know! Let’s increase taxes just in that area so they’ll really feel at home!’
Democrats: Soaking people for over a hundred years.