The American Dream megamall will soon have a theater venue open, adding to the offerings available for visitors coming to see the FIFA World Cup 2026 games slated to play in New Jersey’s Meadowlands.
The entertainment-and-retail complex said Thursday it will be debuting Dream Live Performing Arts Center, a 3,000-seat theater. It is scheduled to open this spring.
American Dream, owned by developer Triple Five Group and located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, said the arts center will help it to continue “to redefine the traditional mall experience” as a place with immersive and experiential offerings for visitors. In advance of the soccer games, the megamall is already welcoming two other new tenants.
“The Messi Experience,” an interactive multimedia exhibition celebrating the life and career of soccer icon Lionel Messi, will open in the spring. Earlier this year, Adidas debuted a soccer-focused flagship at the megamall.
American Dream is adjacent to MetLife Stadium, which will be hosting eight World Cup matches, including the final on July 19. The theater center will serve as a setting for corporate events and private parties and will play a key role in American Dream’s World Cup programming, beginning in June, the megamall said in a statement.
The Dream Live Performing Arts Center, operated by Triple Five, is slated to host a wide range of performances including cultural programming, comedy, theater and concerts. The music offerings will feature diverse genres such as rock, hip-hop and pop.
The venue will have a state-of-the-art L-Acoustics sound system, along with best-in-class lighting and video production capabilities. There will be VIP seating, luxury boxes and upscale hospitality offerings. The food and beverage services will be operated by Aramark, with ticketing managed through Ticketmaster.
“We are committed to delivering high-quality, immersive experiences for our guests, and the Dream Live Performing Arts Center will serve as a platform for top-tier talent and diverse programming,” Adam Petrick, American Dream’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement.
The theater will be in American Dream's B court, Levels 2 and 3.