World Cup 2026: New York Opens a Football Feast for Fans

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in New York, in addition to infrastructure improvements, the city will open fanzones in all boroughs starting June 11 to serve fans and promote its image as a leading multicultural city in the United States.

Fanzones in New York/New Jersey are expected to be set up at several iconic locations, including Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, and Midtown Manhattan. Organizers will install giant outdoor screens to broadcast matches live, along with cultural performances, interactive games, local cuisine, and family-friendly programs. City officials say the goal is to make the 2026 World Cup a community event, not just for stadium attendees but also for residents and tourists alike.

Notably, the Queens fanzone will be one of the most important highlights, located at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Meanwhile, Midtown Manhattan is expected to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans at Rockefeller Center, which will be designed as a "football village" in the heart of the city. Brooklyn, Bronx, and Staten Island have also been chosen to host cheering venues to distribute the crowd, reduce traffic pressure, and improve accessibility for residents in different neighborhoods. In New Jersey, organizers will set up the Jersey Fan Hub within the Sports Illustrated Stadium complex. According to initial information, some programs there will be free to encourage broad public participation.

Alongside the opening of fanzones, New York City is also accelerating preparations in transportation, security, visitor reception, and inter-agency coordination. Authorities are focusing on upgrading public transport capacity, ensuring event safety, and supporting related commercial and service activities. Observers believe the 2026 World Cup will be a major test of the city's ability to organize large-scale international events. As a leading global economic, cultural, and media hub, New York hopes the 2026 World Cup will not only create an electrifying sports atmosphere but also generate strong spillover effects in tourism, commerce, and international image.

The first match of the 2026 World Cup in the New York/New Jersey area will be a showdown between Brazil and Morocco at 6:00 PM local time on June 13 (5:00 AM on June 14 Vietnam time) at MetLife Stadium.