City Unveils Over 100 Free World Cup Watch Parties Across All Five Boroughs

City to transform parks, plazas and public markets into free World Cup watch parties for New Yorkers and tourists alike

New Yorkers can now find watch parties and other World Cup events

Free watch parties bolster Mamdani administration's ongoing efforts to make the World Cup affordable and accessible for everyone

NEW YORK, NY-With the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ kicking off today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the city's borough presidents unveiled a new roster of more than 100 free watch parties where New Yorkers and visitors alike will be able to watch World Cup matches and celebrate the world's game.

The watch parties-which span all five boroughs-will take place in the city's parks, plazas, marketplaces and theaters. Watch parties are being hosted by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and the city's five borough presidents with grants from NYC Tourism + Conventions. Alongside free fan festivals across all five boroughs and a free watch party for the World Cup Finals in Central Park, today's announcement builds on the Mamdani administration's ongoing efforts to make sure that every New Yorker can experience the World Cup free of charge.

"This summer, we're bringing the people's game directly to the people," said Mayor Mamdani. "From public markets to beaches and parks, we're turning our city's public spaces into places where New Yorkers can get together, share a meal, see music and watch the world's game. Along with fan festivals across the five boroughs and a free watch party for 50,000 people in Central Park, we're making sure every New Yorker has a front row seat at this historic celebration."

"We are grateful for the Mamdani Administration's investment to support World Cup activations citywide, including grants that enabled free events in all five boroughs," said Julie Coker, President and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions. "These events will help ensure the excitement and economic impact of the World Cup are felt throughout every neighborhood, making this once-in-a-generation moment accessible to all New Yorkers and visitors while underscoring New York City's global spirit."

"As the World Cup kicks off this week, NYCEDC is proud to activate our public markets and city-owned assets-from the Brooklyn Army Terminal and MADE Bush Terminal to La Marqueta, Essex Market, and Moore Street Market-into vibrant hubs for free watch parties, live programming, and community programming," said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. "By bringing matches, music, food, and cultural activations to neighborhoods across the five boroughs, we're ensuring New Yorkers and visitors alike can come together and experience the energy of the World Cup right here at home."

"Soccer is played in streets and plazas across the world," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "In honor of the people's game, we will be transforming our streets and plazas into family-friendly, World Cup celebrations where New Yorkers can join each other to watch matches and enjoy programming that celebrates the incredible diversity of our city."

"Nothing matches the electricity of thousands of New Yorkers screaming, cheering, and celebrating together in the open air of our city's parks and public spaces," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "Bringing these watch parties to our parks turns our city's everyday green spaces into vibrant, open-air stadiums right in the heart of our neighborhoods. From Central Park to Coney Island, we are happy to give fans a FREE, front-row seat to the world's greatest tournament where community spirit can come alive."

"Hosting Watch Parties for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is an amazing opportunity to bring people together, celebrate our diversity, and strengthen the sense of community that makes the Bronx so special," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "Our borough is home to residents from every corner of the world, and we are proud to create spaces where families, immigrants, LGBTQ+ residents, young people, and neighbors of all backgrounds can come together to share in the excitement and spirit of this global celebration. As we welcome the world to New York City, we are excited to incorporate World Cup-themed activations into our Summer Concert Series, a longstanding staple event of our office that brings Bronx residents together through music, culture, entertainment, and community. Through live entertainment, food, and family-friendly activities, we look forward to celebrating the beautiful game and showcasing the unity, pride, and vibrancy that define our great borough."

"The World Cup coming to New York City for the first time solidifies our significance as a global city, and we're making sure that all of Brooklyn has access to watch these historic matches," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "I offer my sincere thanks to NYC Tourism + Conventions for their generous funding towards our watch parties and to Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, Telemundo, the Brooklyn Cyclones, and Action Lab for helping to bring these FIFA watch parties to life. I encourage all Brooklynites to watch a game with their neighbors at one of the many watch parties being hosted across the borough!"

"We're excited and ready to welcome the world to the greatest borough in the greatest city on Earth," said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. "I'm thrilled to partner with NYC Tourism to host two World Cup watch parties for both Manhattanites and visitors to enjoy, at the iconic venues of United Palace in Washington Heights and SummerStage in Central Park. Each venue will feature a live screening, food, and refreshments - we hope to see you there!"

"No matter which country you're rooting for this World Cup, you deserve a place to celebrate each goal with your family and friends right in your community at no cost," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "The World's Game should be accessible for all in The World's Borough, regardless of ZIP code or socioeconomic status. I'm proud to be working with some of our most trusted community-based organizations to help make that the case for Queens families from Long Island City to Rockaway and everywhere in between. Let the games begin!"

NYC Tourism + Conventions

NYC Tourism + Conventions, as well as the city's five borough presidents-Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella-will host a series of watch parties across all five boroughs.

The Bronx

When: July 15.
Where: 161st Street between Grand Concourse and Jerome Avenue.
What: Live match screening with the 161st Street BID.

Brooklyn

When: June 19.
Where: Brooklyn Borough Hall, Downtown Brooklyn.
What: Live match screening, community resource tabling, family-friendly activities, a youth soccer clinic and cultural performances.

When: July 11.
Where: Maimonides Park, Coney Island.
What: Live match screening with community resource tabling, family-friendly activities, a youth soccer clinic and cultural performances.

Manhattan

When: June 26.
Where: SummerStage, Central Park.
What: Live match viewing with food, drinks, and community engagement from CityParks Play.

When: June 27.
Where: United Palace, Washington Heights.
What: Live match viewing with soccer demonstrations, a DJ, food, drinks, tabling by local organizations and other community engagements.

Queens

When: July 9 and July 10.
Where: Pilot House Bar & Grill, Averne.
What: Live match viewing with face paint, kids match and free deserts.

When: July 11.
Where: Pilot House Bar & Grill, Averne, NY.
What: Live match viewing with DJ and giveaways.

When: July 11.
Where: Queens Botanical Garden, Flushing.
What: Live match viewing with free admission to the Queens Botanical Garden.

When: July 19.
Where: Queens Borough Hall, Kew Garden.
What: Live viewing of the World Cup Finals with street vendors.

When: July 19.
Where: MoMA PS1, Long Island City.
What: Live viewing of the World Cup Finals, co-sponsored by the LIC Partnership.

Staten Island

When: July 19.
Where: Midland Beach.
What: Live viewing of the World Cup Finals alongside children's rides, live entertainment, interactive activities and food vendors.

New York City Economic Development Corporation

The New York City Economic Development Corporation is turning the city's public markets and public spaces into free watch parties for New Yorkers and tourists. Activations include:

When: June 11.
Where: Brooklyn Army Terminal, Brooklyn.
What: Outdoor community watch party.
When: June 25.

Where: MADE Bush Terminal, Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
What: Indoor and outdoor watch party (match viewed indoors) with community programming, including music, arts and crafts and tabling by community-based organizations.
When: All match days.

Where: La Marqueta Market, East Harlem, Manhattan.
What: Live match viewings during market hours.
When: All match days.

Where: Essex Market, Lower East Side, Manhattan.
What: Live match viewings with DJs, vendors and tabling by community-based organizations on select days.
When: All match days.

Where: Moore Street Market, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
What: Live match viewings with DJs, vendors and tabling by community-based organizations on select days.

New York City Department of Transportation

Additionally, the New York City Department of Transportation is turning parks and plazas into some of the best seats in the house to watch matches. NYC DOT will host guided bike rides to several watch parties, led by Black Girls Do Bike, with details available on the agency's website.

Specific Watch Party activations include:

When: June 11 at 2 PM.
Where: Paseo Park/34th Avenue Plaza (34th Avenue from 77th Street to 78th Street), Queens.
What: Live performance by Sambuco Tribe at 2 PM, Mexico vs South Africa match at 3 PM. Event programming provided by Hive Public Space, Street Soccer, The Horticultural Society of New York and more. Join a guided bike ride with Black Girls Do Bike from Socrates Sculpture Park to the Jackson Heights watch party. Learn more.

When: June 15 at 5 PM.
Where: Duane Joseph Plaza (Parkside Avenue and Ocean Avenue), Brooklyn.
What: Batingua Dance and Productions performance at 5 PM, Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay match at 6 PM. Event programming provided by Hive Public Space, Team Wonder, NYC DOT Safety Education and more. Learn more.

When: June 19 at 2 PM.
Where: Banker's Anchor Plaza (North 15th Street from Nassau Ave to Banker Street), Brooklyn.
What: Live performance by House of HONK at 2 PM, United States vs Australia match at 3 PM. Event programming provided by Hive Public Space, Team Wonder, NYC DOT Street Ambassadors and a market by North Brooklyn Parks Alliance. Join a guided bike ride with Black Girls Do Bike from Tompkins Square Park to the Greenpoint watch party. Learn more.

When: June 23 at 3 PM.
Where: Lou Gehrig Plaza (East 161st Street from Walton Ave to Grand Concourse), The Bronx.
What: Live performance by Batingua Dance at 3 PM, England vs Ghana match starts at 4 PM. Event programming provided by Hive Public Space, NYC DOT Safety Education and Street Ambassadors, Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and more. Join a guided bike ride with Black Girls Do Bike from Devoe Park to the Concourse watch party. Learn more.

When: June 24 at 5 PM.
Where: Fordham Plaza (Park Avenue and Fordham Road), The Bronx.
What: Live performance by Batingua Dance at 5 PM, Scotland vs Brazil match starts at 6 PM. Event programming provided by Hive Public Space, Orisha Wholeness, Street Soccer and more. Learn more.

For the latest information on free watch parties, fan events, cultural programming, dining offers and other FIFA World Cup 2026™ activities taking place across New York City, visit nyctourism.com/worldcup26. The website serves as the central hub for World Cup-related events and experiences across all five boroughs and will be updated regularly throughout the tournament as additional programming is announced.

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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