NEW YORK CITY TOURISM + CONVENTIONS INVITES VISITORS TO EXPLORE THE FIVE BOROUGHS DURING FIFA WORLD CUP 26™

New York City (January 20, 2026) — As North America prepares to welcome the FIFA Men’s World Cup, New York City Tourism + Conventions is pleased to outline activities and experiences for visitors to enjoy in NYC this summer. With eight World Cup matches including the Final at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), plus viewing parties, soccer/football activations and a windfall of new destination offerings across the City’s five boroughs, visitors will not want to miss out on the upcoming celebrations. To plan your trip now, visit nyctourism.com.

“The six-month countdown is officially on, and New York City cannot wait to welcome visitors from around the globe for the FIFA World Cup,” said Julie Coker, President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. “From football matches, official viewing events and local celebrations to new openings and cultural offerings across all five boroughs, there will be so much to see and do this summer, no matter your budget. No place does big events on a world stage quite like NYC.”

“We are preparing to deliver a fan experience unlike anything seen in World Cup history—one that will be felt across every borough of New York City,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 26 New York New Jersey Host Committee. “From our FIFA Fan Festival in Liberty State Park to our Queens Fan Zone and Rockefeller Center Fan Village, these experiences will bring the World Cup far beyond the stadium, creating accessible and memorable ways for fans to come together and experience the world’s biggest matches.”

Visitor information and activities include:

Key Dates

• Group Stage Matches:

  • June 13 at 6pm ET: Brazil vs. Morocco

  • June 16 at 3pm: France vs. Senegal

  • June 22 at 8pm: Norway vs. Senegal

  • June 25 at 4pm: Ecuador vs. Germany

  • June 27 at 5pm: Panama vs. England

• Round of 32 Match: June 30 at 5pm

• Round of 16 Match: July 5 at 4pm

• Final Match: July 19 at 3pm

Fan Zones & Viewing Events

• FIFA Fan Festival™ NYNJ will be held at Liberty State Park in New Jersey throughout the tournament from June 11–July 19, with live match screenings, music, celebrity appearances, family-friendly programming and more. Early bird tickets are now on sale for June 11–16 ($10 with fees; children 12 and under can enter for free with an adult).

• The NYNJ World Cup 26 Fan Zone Queens will take place at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Louis Armstrong Stadium from June 17–28. In addition to live match broadcasts, the Fan Zone will include entertainment, games, local food vendors, official merchandise, VIP hospitality experiences and more.

• From July 4–19, fans can enjoy the New York New Jersey World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village at Rockefeller Center. The Fan Village will transform the iconic Rockefeller Center Rink into a football pitch serving as a centerpiece for live match broadcasts, an interactive fan festival across Rockefeller Plaza and a Champions’ Garden celebrating the eight nations that have won the FIFA World Cup.

• Bars and restaurants across the five boroughs will be screening matches live throughout the tournament. Visit Clinton Hall in the Bronx, FancyFree in Brooklyn, The Football Factory at Legends in Manhattan, Rivercrest in Queens and Ralph’s Sports Bar in Staten Island, and see this soccer bar roundup for more inspiration.

Where to Stay

• Consider staying near Penn Station for easy access to the stadium via New Jersey Transit. Nearby hotels include Arlo Midtown; The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue; Moxy Times Square; Martinique New York on Broadway; New Yorker by Lotte Hotels; Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel; voco Times Square South; and more.

• Gansevoort Meatpacking is providing a special offer for guests traveling for the tournament. Enjoy loft-inspired accommodations and relax between matches at the hotel’s iconic rooftop pool, with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.

• Hyatt Regency Times Square will transform its porte cochere and hotel into a pop-up pitch with turf, professional-grade netting and a digital virtual goal challenge where guests can compete for daily prizes. At Cue 48 restaurant, visitors can also enjoy themed menus on match days, inspired by the competing nations.

• Bar Sprezzatura, the open-air rooftop at Kimpton Theta New York – Times Square, will broadcast all matches with a limited-time “Soccer at Sprezz” menu, while hotel guests can enjoy the “Stay & Play” package offering necessities for fans including sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and noisemakers.

• Loews Regency New York Hotel’s “Tailgate Rate Package” is available to sports fans from June 11–27, whether they have tickets to a match or are just in town to cheer on their favorite team. The package includes two drink vouchers per room per stay and room upgrade based on availability.

• Park Central Hotel invites guests to enjoy matches screened on five large displays in the Twenty-Sevens lounge, alongside bespoke food and beverage specials offered during the tournament.

• The “Ultimate Fan Package” at Romer Hell’s Kitchen includes exclusive Romer World Cup merchandise and match-day essentials. During the tournament, the hotel’s Corner Store will transform into a fan shop featuring limited-edition merchandise created in collaboration with local artists.

• Virgin Hotels New York is hosting public viewing parties for all NYNJ matches at Everdene bar and restaurant. In addition, the “Suite Spot for the Match” package offers extended check-in/check-out times and stadium-ready amenities including a clear bag, handheld fan, water bottle and more. All guests will also receive a Virgin Hotels World Cup Scratch-Off Card with surprise perks.

Sports-Inspired Cultural Offerings

• Beginning May 15, visitors can celebrate the science, culture, and community of sport at the American Museum of Natural History. The museum will launch a series of programs and experiences to engage FIFA World Cup fans, starting with a new special exhibition in the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals’ Meister Gallery which will present a collection of championship rings, trophies, medals, and jewelry from legendary athletes and teams. On Memorial Day weekend, the museum will open two additional galleries featuring family-friendly, interactive soccer experiences, viewing spaces and large-scale media showcasing iconic moments in global sports history. Additional offerings will be announced throughout the year.

• Starting in mid-May and running through mid-July, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) on Manhattan’s Upper West Side will celebrate the global spirit of the world’s game with a museum-wide experience designed especially for children ages 0–6 and their families. Blending art, movement, music and play, CMOM will offer hands-on activities inspired by the 48 participating nations, soccer-themed storytimes and cultural explorations that introduce young children to teamwork, creativity and belonging through the universal language of play. Visitors can learn more and stay connected by visiting cmom.org and signing up for email updates.

• The Whitney Museum of American Art will host World Cup-themed Free Friday Nights and Free Second Sundays throughout the tournament. Visitors can enjoy DJ sets inspired by global music traditions, art-making activities, tours and refreshments, all culminating in a special West Side Fest celebration (July 10–12) ahead of the Final match weekend. These activities will take place during the Whitney Biennial 2026, featuring artists from tournament host cities and countries around the world, shown alongside iconic American works by Hopper, Warhol and Basquiat. Admission is also free every day for visitors 25 and under.

New Openings

• John F. Kennedy International Airport’s international New Terminal One will begin opening in phases this year, including new arrivals and departures halls and the first set of 14 new gates. When completed in 2030, the $9.5 billion terminal will be JFK’s largest, with a total 23 gates and dining, retail, lounges and recreational space.

• One Times Square, the home of the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball, is now open as a year-round destination for immersive entertainment and celebrations. One highlight is Times Travel, a multilevel experience that guides visitors through the history of the neighborhood, building and the Ball Drop tradition, including an exclusive viewing deck.

• The Studio Museum in Harlem reopened last November in a new, purpose-built home. The seven-floor, 82,000-square-foot building features extensive exhibition and public spaces, showcasing the museum’s permanent collection and special exhibits.

• Opening March 21, the New Museum is undergoing a 60,000-square-foot expansion. Constructed from the ground up, the seven-story project will double the museum’s exhibition spaces and feature a new public plaza.

• On June 18, ahead of America’s 250th birthday, The New York Historical will debut the new 71,000-square-foot Tang Wing for American Democracy, greatly expanding its exhibition space, educational initiatives and public programs.

• Opening in 2026, the Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem will be dedicated to presenting the history of the Northern civil rights movement through powerful storytelling, cultural engagement and collective action.

• Ellis Island Museum is undergoing a $100 million revitalization, which is expected to debut mid-2026. The project includes reimagined exhibitions, new theaters and major technological upgrades, in addition to an expanded Family History Center (to be renamed the Records Discovery Center), which will increase searchable records in its database from 65 million to 154 million.

• In the South Bronx, The Hip Hop Museum is expected to open this year, paying homage to the neighborhood’s rich culture and history as the birthplace of hip-hop.

• AIRE Ancient Baths, the Spanish luxury thermal bath brand, is a world-class relaxation experience. AIRE’s brand-new Upper East Side location and recently renovated Tribeca location offer thermal bath experiences and massages designed to restore energy and provide a peaceful break from the excitement of the tournament.

NYC Tourism Resources

• For all there is to see and do in New York City during the tournament, visit nyctourism.com/worldcup26.

• Plan your trip with New York City Tourism + Conventions’ free, AI-generated chat bots. Libby and Ellis are available in 60 languages on NYCtourism.com and WhatsApp.

• Check out NYC Tourism’s borough guides: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

• Free and affordable attractions, events and activities can be found at nyctourism.com/budget.

• For a comprehensive list of What’s New and Upcoming in NYC, see this press fact sheet.

• New York City continues to commemorate its 400th anniversary and America’s upcoming 250th birthday, which will culminate in the international Sail4th 250 event on July 4 weekend. For more information, visit foundedbynyc.com.

About New York City Tourism + Conventions:
New York City Tourism + Conventions is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) and convention and visitors bureau (CVB) for the five boroughs of New York City. Our mission is to invite the world and energize the City, building equitable, sustainable economic prosperity and community through tourism for the mutual benefit of residents, businesses and visitors. For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nyctourism.com.