A lucky pair of soccer fans found the best way to avoid the pre-game chaos ahead of Sunday’s World Cup Final.
Yeisha Mariel Gonzalez was the winner of Marriott Bonvoy and Visa’s “Sleepover Suite” sweepstakes, which meant that she and her husband David Lee got to spend the night at New York New Jersey Stadium (a.k.a Metlife Stadium, which was renamed for the tournament) before what is sure to be the most-watched sporting event of 2026.
The couple, who live in Tampa, Fla., both entered the contest earlier this spring, but neither expected to win. In fact, they were scheduled to fly to Ecuador three days before the final to celebrate Lee’s 40th birthday. But then Gonzalez found out her name had been picked in late June, and she and Lee knew they had to pivot. It helped that they were both having so much fun watching the tournament that Lee was already wondering if they should try to go to a game.
Of course, the couple got to do a lot more than just go to the game. On Saturday, the night before the Spain and Argentina matchup, Gonzalez and Lee arrived at the stadium and were taken to a luxury suite that had been reimagined as a hotel room just for them. The space, which is already one of the cushiest ways to take in a concert or game, was equipped with a “super comfortable bed,” and a private chef and bartender were brought in to make the couple’s stay as relaxed as possible. But the best feature, according to Gonzalez, was one that required no modifications by the organizers.
“Gosh, the view,” she told Robb Report when asked about her favorite part of the suite. “And it even started kind of drizzling a little bit. Yeah, it looked like snow. It was magical.”
The space also was packed with plenty of World Cup–themed amenities, including a PlayStation 5 that came loaded with FIFA 2026. The couple also got the opportunity to witness Shakira, Madonna, Burna Boy, and BTS rehearse for the final’s much-hyped halftime show and meet its curator, Coldplay’s Chris Martin. As fun as the experience was, it wasn’t without its quirks. Gonzalez says the couple were also informed that the Secret Service would also be in the building to secure it for President Trump’s visit the next day.
On Sunday afternoon, Gonzalez, who roots for Spain, and Lee were present for a grueling clash that saw her team defeat Argentina 1-0 in extra time. Their stay in New York didn’t end with the final, either. In addition to airfare, Marriott Bonvoy also provided the couple with a three-night stay at the Marriott Marquis in Midtown Manhattan. While there, they’ll take in a performance of Aladdin on Broadway, after she won tickets in a lottery.
“It’s New York,” Gonzales said. “Dreams just come true in the city.”