John Saraceno, cofounder and managing principal of Onyx Equities, spoke Wednesday, July 17, to announce that the real estate firm is now the first official supporter for the FIFA World Cup 26 New York New Jersey Host Committee. — All photos courtesy: Onyx
By Joshua Burd
Onyx Equities is set to play a major role in next year’s FIFA World Cup, announcing Wednesday that it has become the first official supporter for the New York New Jersey Host Committee.
The real estate firm, which is based in Newark, said it was making a multimillion-dollar commitment as part of a partnership that will make it a key player in the expansive promotion, programming and community initiatives tied to the iconic tournament and the eight matches that will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, including the final on July 19, 2026. In the process, the company will showcase a series of properties that have been among New Jersey’s most ambitious and successful development or repositioning projects in recent years.
They include the Gateway Center office complex in Newark, where Onyx joined the NYNJ Host Committee alongside New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy and other dignitaries to unveil the partnership.
“We are thrilled to support an event of this magnitude right here in New Jersey,” said John Saraceno, cofounder and managing principal of Onyx Equities. “Our support is not just about visibility — it’s about creating opportunities for community engagement and driving economic growth that will benefit our region long after the final whistle.”
To that end, Onyx said it will support the legacy partnership between the NYNJ Host Committee and the U.S. Soccer Foundation to develop equitable and inclusive access to soccer in New York and New Jersey, with plans to donate a mini pitch in the region by 2026. It will also be integrated into the FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ, a sprawling event that will take place at Liberty State Park in Jersey City during the tournament’s 39 days in June and July.
“The announcement of Onyx Equities’ support today embodies the spirit of collaboration and community partnership that is essential for the success of the FIFA World Cup 2026,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee. “The Host Committee is excited that our first supporter is a homegrown firm that understands the importance of championing our region as we prepare to welcome the world. Together, we are not only bringing a world-class event to the region but also creating a lasting legacy rooted in opportunity, inclusion and the unifying power of the world’s most exciting game.”
Gateway, where Onyx has spearheaded a $60 million renovation and expansion of its retail and dining space, is the headquarters of the NYNJ Host Committee and has been named the exclusive urban office campus for the organization. It’s among several properties and brands across the firm’s portfolio that will be highlighted as part of the partnership, also including:
- Vermella, a luxury residential brand by Russo Development (a longtime Onyx joint venture partner), as the exclusive residential apartment supporter for the New Jersey region
- NEST or Northeast Science and Technology Center, a 100-acre research and development campus in Kenilworth co-owned by Onyx Equities, as the exclusive life sciences and technology real estate campus partner for the New Jersey region
- Arbors @ Parsippany, a five-building, 900,000-square-foot office campus co-owned by Onyx, as the exclusive suburban office campus for the New Jersey region
Saraceno highlighted those brands while praising Onyx’s partners across its projects, including Russo Development, Axonic Capital and Machine Investment Group. He also teased what will likely be a series of events and programming initiatives in the coming weeks and months to make Gateway “the epicenter of the World Cup, at least in the state of New Jersey.”
“We are also excited that our properties, Gateway Center and The Junction, will be ready to serve as a hub for the games throughout the year,” said Jonathan Schultz, cofounder and managing principal of Onyx Equities. “We are not only proud to be involved in promoting the world’s most watched sporting event, but also want to truly embrace the culture of the sport and international fans who are visiting New Jersey for the experience. It truly will be a Junction for the fans who are coming to our great region to experience the excitement of the games.”
The FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ will provide another touchpoint for Onyx’s brands from June 11 to July 19, when it’s expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors per day as part of the tournament’s most expansive and spectacular fan destination, according to a news release. That will include real-time match broadcasts, world-class live entertainment, interactive fan experiences and extensive sponsorship activations.
“It is completely appropriate that New Jersey’s leading city would be the home of World Cup’s first New Jersey corporate sponsor,” Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said Wednesday. “With a cultural diversity that is unmatched in New Jersey so many of our residents have soccer in their blood and their energy will be celebrated throughout the World Cup.”
