Governor Hochul Announces Free FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Events Across All Five NYC Boroughs with $20M State Funding

Recreation Get Offline, Get Outside Tourism April 27, 2026 Albany, NY

Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani and FIFA World Cup 2026™ NYNJ Host Committee Announce Free Fan Events in All Five Boroughs of New York City

Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani and FIFA World Cup 2026™ NYNJ Host Committee Announce Free Fan Events in All Five Boroughs of New York City $20 Million in State Funding To Support World Cup Activations Across New York City

Builds on Governor Hochul’s Initiatives To Expand Access to World Cup Watch Parties and Events for Fans and Local Businesses Statewide

Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee today announced free Official NYNJ Fan Events across all five boroughs of New York City — ensuring even more New Yorkers can enjoy World Cup matches and programming at no cost.

Governor Hochul’s administration has provided $20 million in State funding to help support World Cup activities across New York City. Today’s announcement also builds on the Governor’s announcement of major watch parties across the state, along with her recent action enabling more bars and restaurants to host off-site activities throughout the World Cup.

“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,” Governor Hochul said. “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.”

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wtrqig9PS44 Audio New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “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. That’s what we’re building here: a World Cup that belongs to New Yorkers. By bringing these free fan events to every borough, we’re making sure everyone can be part of that joy.”

NYNJ 2026 World Cup Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry said, “These events are about welcoming the world to New York, New Jersey and showcasing the very best of our region. As the sports and entertainment capital of the world, we’re creating fan experiences that are affordable, accessible, and authentically New York New Jersey — for visitors and, just as importantly, for the residents who call this region home.”

New York State Senior Director of Major Event Operations Justin Brannan said, “New York is ready to welcome the World Cup this summer, but it has to be for everyone. For Governor Hochul that means making sure working families, small businesses and communities in every corner of this great state can take part in this global celebration of the beautiful game. By cutting red tape and deploying funds so local communities can take part in hosting free public watch parties from Brooklyn to Buffalo and investing in long-term initiatives like NY Kicks to bring real resources to under-resourced neighborhoods, Governor Hochul will ensure the benefits of this once-in-a-lifetime moment are shared by all, not just a few.”

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The World Cup is more than a global sporting event — it is a powerful economic opportunity for New York. By promoting free fan events across all five boroughs and supporting watch parties statewide, Governor Hochul is uniting the excitement of this worldwide tournament with the energy of neighborhoods and communities across the Empire State. While only one team takes home the World Cup trophy, the event's real winners are small businesses, restaurants, and local attractions that share in the benefits of this historic moment.”

Free Official NYNJ Fan Events Across the Five Boroughs

QUEENS: NYNJ World Cup 26 Queens Group Stage HQ

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows

June 11-27

Daily programming and match viewings

MANHATTAN: NYNJ World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village at Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center

July 6-19

Daily programming; extended hours during Finals Week

THE BRONX: NYNJ World Cup 26 Bronx Fan Zone

Bronx Terminal Market

June 13-14

Matchday programming and local cultural programming

BROOKLYN: Brooklyn Fan Zone

Brooklyn Bridge Park

June 13-July 19

Daily programming and match viewings

STATEN ISLAND: NYNJ World Cup 26 Staten Island Fan Zone

Staten Island University Hospital Community Park

June 29-July 2

Daily programming and evening match viewings

Supporting World Cup Activations and Programming Statewide

Governor Hochul announced that the state will host two large-scale public viewing events on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley, bringing thousands of people together to watch the matches in real time. For more information, including how to sign up to be notified of future New York State World Cup announcements, visit the I LOVE NY website. In addition, Buffalo’s Silo City and Canalside in Buffalo will host USA Soccer Watch Parties, part of twelve World Cup activations funded across seven regions in the State.

Governor Hochul also announced that event organizers can host off-site activations throughout the World Cup by applying for a World Cup One-Day Permit through the New York State Liquor Authority. Bars and restaurants will be able to use the World Cup One-Day Permit process to use contiguous outdoor space to host events during the World Cup as opposed to the current maximum of four days. In addition, Governor Hochul is working with the legislature to authorize temporary expansion of permissible operating hours during the World Cup, allowing bars, restaurants and other eligible on-premises establishments to remain open whenever matches are broadcast live.

As part of the FY27 Budget, the Governor has also advanced NY Kicks, a new initiative aimed at expanding youth soccer access by investing in new soccer facilities and community programming in disadvantaged communities across the state. NY Kicks also advances Governor Hochul’s Get Offline, Get Outside initiative, which encourages New Yorkers to unplug from devices and spend time outdoors in their communities, by activating public spaces across the state and creating shared, active experiences for families.

Contact the Governor’s Press Office

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