New York City will host 5 free FIFA World Cup fan events this summer. Here's what to know.
Tens of thousands of soccer fans will be able to watch FIFA World Cup matches for free this summer at five official fan events in New York City.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday on Staten Island that each borough will host an official FIFA fan zone, with live game viewings, local food offerings, and more, all with no price of admission, thanks to $20 million of support from the state.
"These events were not initially set to be free, but the world's game should belong to the world. So we made the decision together for fans be able to watch together without having to spend a dollar," said Mamdani, a die-hard soccer fan. "Every fan should be able to watch the greatest tournament on Earth without having to dip into their savings. Today, we take the first step of many toward fulfilling that process."
NYC World Cup fan zones
The five World Cup fan zones will be at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens from June 11-27, Rockefeller Center in Manhattan from July 6-19, Bronx Terminal Market from June 13-14, Staten Island University Hospital Community Park from June 29-July 2, and Brooklyn Bridge Park from June 13-19.
Free tickets will be available on a first come, first serve bases on the FIFA New York New Jersey website, said Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey Host Committee.
Tickets are expected to be made available in about three weeks.
The Staten Island Ferry Hawks baseball stadium will be converted into a fan zone where as many as 10,000 people can watch the matches on a big screen and share the excitement without having to shell out big bucks to go to MetLife Stadium.
"People don't come here just to get a ticket to go to the game. People come here to experience and be part of the World cup festivities. And that's why it's so important that as a region we put on affordable and accessible experiences," Lasry said.
Mamdani said he wanted to create a way for New Yorkers who can't afford the record-high stadium ticket prices to share the excitement of games.
"That is the beauty of the World Cup. The world's game truly brings the world together, and as we prepare to host the World Cup right here in our backyard, we want to do everything in our power to make it more affordable for fans to make those memories," he said.
Hochul said there will be more free World Cup viewing events throughout the state, including at Stony Brook University on Long Island beginning June 12 and Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla on June 19. There will be 12 events upstate. Tickets will be available on ILoveNY.com.
"If you can't get to the World Cup, the World Cup is coming to you," the governor said.
When are the FIFA World Cup matches in N.J.?
Eight matches will be played at MetLife Stadium, which is being referred to as New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.
The schedule consists of five group stage matches, one round-of-32 match, one round-of-16 match and the final.
- June 13: Group stage: Brazil vs. Morocco
- June 16: Group stage: France vs. Senegal
- June 22: Group stage: Norway vs. Senegal
- June 25: Group stage: Ecuador vs. Germany
- June 27: Group stage: Panama vs. England
- June 30: Round of 32
- July 5: Round of 16
- July 19: FIFA World Cup Final
Local officials criticize FIFA
NJ Transit officials recently said it will cost $150 round trip for service between Penn Station and MetLife during the tournament. There will also be shuttle bus tickets costing $80 from three locations across the area.
Politicians around the Tri-State Area have been vocal about exorbitant transportation costs for fans.
"We know that this event will deliver real economic benefits for our communities and businesses. At the same time, hosting cannot come at the expense of New Jersey commuters and taxpayers," said New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill. "We are committed to ensuring costs are shared fairly. As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won't, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ Transit every day."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also slammed FIFA.
"Give me a break. Charging more than 11 times the normal fare for a train ride is a ripoff -- plain and simple. FIFA is making billions from this World Cup, and fans are being hit with a $150 ticket before they even walk through the gate. FIFA should cover the ride -- not stick fans with the bill," he said.
Republican lawmakers also recently asked for a hearing with the New York-New Jersey World Cup Host Committee. They say they want to know how much the matches are costing taxpayers.
"All of these costs we are running into, apparently, it was a surprise that parking wasn't going to be allowed at the stadium, which is insane," said New Jersey Sen. Declain O'Scanlon.
