New York City officials announced plans to host five free fan events across all boroughs during the FIFA World Cup 2026, expanding public access to one of the world’s largest sporting events.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled the initiative on April 27th, outlining a citywide program that will feature live match screenings, cultural activities, and local food offerings at no cost to attendees.
“When I think back on my first World Cup, some of my most meaningful memories weren’t in the stadium, they were in the fan zones, surrounded by thousands of people brought together by a pure love of the game,” Mayor Mamdani remarked. “That’s what we’re building here: a World Cup that belongs to New Yorkers.”
Governor Hochul emphasized the city’s readiness for the global event, noting, “New Yorkers are ready to welcome fans from across the world for the 2026 World Cup and we’re making sure everyone who calls this city home is part of this historic event. These free fan events across all five boroughs bring the excitement of the game to every New Yorker in every community — supporting our small businesses and bringing New Yorkers together.”
Each borough will host an official fan site:
- Queens — USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (June 11–27)
- Manhattan — Rockefeller Center (July 6–19)
- Brooklyn — Brooklyn Bridge Park (June 13–July 19)
- The Bronx — Bronx Terminal Market (June 13–14)
- Staten Island — Staten Island University Hospital Community Park (June 29–July 2)
Organizers described the program as a 39-day, citywide celebration designed to extend World Cup activity beyond stadium venues.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso emphasized local participation, noting, “This summer is all about the World Cup, and I am so excited that Brooklynites will have access to daily programming at the World Cup Fan Zone at Brooklyn Bridge Park.”
State Assemblymember Charles Fall highlighted the borough’s inclusion, stating, “The World Cup has a way of bringing people together like nothing else, uniting communities across the globe, and it means a lot that Staten Islanders will get to share in that experience.”
Assemblymember Landon Dais pointed to the local impact in the Bronx, adding, “The FIFA World Cup brings people together across cultures and backgrounds, a spirit reflected every day in the Bronx.”
The announcement comes as regional officials prepare for eight matches scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, including the final on July 19. Additional details on programming and participation are expected in the coming weeks.
