This summer, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ takes over 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and the New York/New Jersey region is prepared to celebrate. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will host eight matches, including the Final, drawing soccer fans from around the globe to the metropolitan area. From June 11 through July 19, Rockefeller Center brings the excitement to Fifth Avenue with fan experiences, special programming, and more.

New York City is built for matchday. Below, you’ll find the strongest places to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in NYC, beginning with the NYNJ World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village at Rockefeller Center and continuing to neighborhood pubs, soccer-first cafés, and country-specific restaurants across the five boroughs.

Plan to make a day of it: only the NYNJ World Cup 26 Official Viewpoint Experience at Top of the Rock Observation Deck pairs live match streaming with skyline views, and a 10% campus-wide FIFA merchandise discount with every Top of the Rock ticket.

The NYNJ World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village at Rockefeller Center

From July 6 through July 19, Rockefeller Plaza will become home to the Fan Village. The Rink is converted into a soccer pitch, large-format screens carry every Round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final live, and Telemundo broadcasts from the heart of Manhattan. The match schedule runs the full sweep of knockout-round matchdays with live performances, family programming, and food activations between fixtures. Admission is free and open to the public.

The FIFA Museum Presented by Hyundai at 50 Rockefeller Plaza is open June 11 through July 19, offering an exhibition that celebrates nearly a century of FIFA World Cup™ history. Admission is free with a reservation, and Top of the Rock ticket holders receive priority access.

The Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Store at Rockefeller Center anchors the campus retail offering at 45 Rockefeller Plaza on 51st Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The store features official tournament merchandise, New York New Jersey host city gear, team jerseys, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, scarves, mascot products, accessories, and more.

Watch the Match 70 Floors Up: Official Viewpoint of NYNJ World Cup 26 Experience

Only the NYNJ World Cup 26 Official Viewpoint Experience at Top of the Rock Observation Deck brings fans live match streaming, exclusive FIFA merchandise discounts, a special photo moment, fan giveaways, and more, all 70 floors above Manhattan. It is the only place in New York City where the match plays at skyline level.

The Other Official NYC Fan Zones

The Fan Village anchors a citywide network of free, official fan zones programmed by the NYNJ Host Committee. Additional zones are located in Queens at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, at Brooklyn Bridge Park, at Bronx Terminal Market in the South Bronx, and on Staten Island. Programming, dates, and any matchday capacity rules are published on the official NYNJ Host Committee site (#nynjfwc26). If your week takes you outside Midtown, there is usually a free fan zone within reach.

1. The Red Lion, West Village

The Red Lion on Bleecker Street is a strong downtown classic-pub pick for the tournament. Doors open at 11 am on matchdays, weekend brunch starts at 10 am, and the screens are positioned for full-room viewing. Reservations are worth pursuing for any high-demand fixture (particularly Round of 32 matchdays when multiple games stack up).

2. Zum Schneider World Cup Pop-Up, Greenpoint

The Zum Schneider team has built a dedicated World Cup pop-up in Greenpoint that runs from June 11 through July 19. The format is German beer-hall energy translated to Brooklyn, with big screens, DJs between fixtures, and a rooftop and arena layout for the bigger matches. Confirm tickets and programming on the venue's site before you go: some matches require a ticket, and some are walk-in. It's a strong pick for any Germany, Ecuador, or Senegal group stage fixture.

3. PANNA-USA, Long Island City

PANNA-USA's Long Island City venue is the smartest pick for soccer fans bringing kids. The space is built around a futsal-style main field with paid match tickets listed from roughly $20 to $25, plus a free lounge and outdoor deck that broadcast every match. The waterfront location is a short walk from the Vernon Boulevard/Jackson Avenue 7 train.

4. Smithfield Hall, Chelsea

Smithfield Hall on West 25th Street is one of the central big-room soccer bars in Manhattan. The venue opens daily from noon, the ground floor and upstairs are wired for matchday volume, and the kitchen runs through last call. For high-demand fixtures like France, Brazil, or Morocco, plan to arrive at least an hour before kickoff.

5. The Football Factory at Legends, Koreatown

The Football Factory at Legends is the most committed supporter-club bar in Manhattan. Each major national team has a dedicated section, the screens line every wall, and the room runs 21+ on matchdays. Hours flex around the broadcast schedule, so check before any first-window fixture, particularly for Panama or Ecuador group stage matches with early kickoffs.

6. Banter Bar, Williamsburg

Banter Bar on Berry Street is the Williamsburg soccer crowd's go-to during the tournament. The bar is Australian-Brazilian-owned, the kitchen leans into both, and the room is sized for an intense match without losing the neighborhood feel. Game-day seating can be reserved by DMing @banterbrooklyn on Instagram.

7. Houston Hall, West Village

Houston Hall is a good large-format option for an adult group that wants a watch party without the crowded-pub problem. The beer-hall layout handles long communal tables, the screens are sized for the room, and the bar runs a deep on-tap list for the duration of the tournament. For groups of eight or more, ask about a reservation or private-event setup.

8. Jones Wood Foundry, Upper East Side

Jones Wood Foundry is the Upper East Side's polished British pub, and the room is built for England, Norway, and Home Nations matchdays. Book via Resy and note the fixture in your reservation: Foundry takes care to seat groups together for a specific match.

9. Roebling Sporting Club, Williamsburg

Roebling Sporting Club is the lower-key Williamsburg alternative to Banter Bar. The screen setup is serious, the room is smaller, and the early weekend opens make it a strong pick for a 9 am or noon kickoff, including Round of 32. Reach out for big matches, because the room is finite and word travels.

10. Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, Astoria

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria is the outdoor pick on this list. The historic Czech beer garden is laid out with long communal tables under string lights, the bar pours pilsners by the liter, and matchday programming is set fixture by fixture. Bring sunscreen for a day match and a layer for a late one.

11. La Nacional, Chelsea

La Nacional, the Spanish Benevolent Society's restaurant on West 14th Street, is the best Manhattan pick for Spain matches and for any fixture where Spanish-language broadcast and a real Spanish kitchen are the point. Reservations for groups of up to eight are bookable through La Nacional or OpenTable. Confirm match programming before you book.

The Plaza Is Open

Across all five boroughs, soccer fans have been waiting for a tournament like this one. New York City is on the global stage. With MetLife Stadium hosting eight matches, including the final, the NYNJ region is at the heart of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The Fan Village is free and open to the public from July 6 through July 19, broadcasting matches from Round of 16 through the final. Get a ticket to Top of the Rock for the only place in the city where the match plays 70 floors up, plus 10% off FIFA merchandise across campus. Beyond the Plaza, neighborhood spots across the city are running their own match calendars. Wherever you land, you are part of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in NYC?

The NYNJ World Cup 26 Official Viewpoint Experience at Top of the Rock Observation Deck is the only place in New York where fans get live match streaming, exclusive FIFA merchandise discounts, a special photo moment, and fan giveaways, all 70 floors above Manhattan.

Down at Plaza level, Rockefeller Center hosts the Fan Village from July 6 through July 19, with live broadcasts of Round of 16, quarterfinal, semifinal, and final on a large-format screen on the Plaza.

The Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Store at Rockefeller Center is open on 51st Street, and the FIFA Museum Presented by Hyundai runs at 50 Rockefeller Plaza with free admission by reservation.

Free fan zones programmed by the NYNJ Host Committee also run in Queens at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, at Brooklyn Bridge Park, at Bronx Terminal Market, and on Staten Island. Neighborhood soccer bars and country-specific restaurants across the five boroughs host their own watch parties as well.

Where is the 2026 World Cup final being played?

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ final will be played on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is one of eight matches MetLife will host, spanning the group stage through the Final.

Is the NYNJ World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village at Rockefeller Center free?

Yes. The Fan Village is free and open to the public from July 6 through July 19. A small number of programmed events and activations may be ticketed, so check the schedule before you arrive.

What is the NYNJ World Cup 26 Official Viewpoint Experience at Top of the Rock Observation Deck?

It's the only place 70 floors above Manhattan where fans get live match streaming, exclusive FIFA merchandise discounts, a special photo moment, fan giveaways, skyline views, and more. Top of the Rock tickets include 10% off all FIFA merchandise on campus.

Do Top of the Rock tickets include a discount on FIFA merchandise?

Yes. Every Top of the Rock ticket includes 10% off all FIFA merchandise on campus, including at the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Store at Rockefeller Center and across other FIFA retail at the Fan Village. There will be a FIFA retail pop-up at the Top of the Rock shop.

Is the FIFA Museum at Rockefeller Center free?

Yes. The FIFA Museum Presented by Hyundai is free to visit and celebrates nearly a century of FIFA World Cup history, featuring original objects and dedicated showcases from every tournament since 1930. Reservations are recommended, and walk-ups are welcome based on availability. The exhibition runs at 50 Rockefeller Plaza from June 11 through July 19, and Top of the Rock ticket holders receive priority access.

How do I get to MetLife Stadium from NYC?

The most reliable route is NJ TRANSIT's Meadowlands Rail Line, which runs from Penn Station through Secaucus Junction to the stadium on matchdays. Coach buses also run from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown. Plan to leave at least 90 minutes before kickoff, and review FIFA's official guidance on security and bag policy before you travel.

Where are the best soccer bars in NYC for the World Cup?

At Rockefeller Center, The Weather Room at Top of the Rock pairs cocktails and skyline views with live match streaming at the NYNJ World Cup 26 Official Viewpoint Experience, all accessible with a Top of the Rock ticket. For dedicated supporter-club energy, Smithfield Hall in Chelsea and the Football Factory at Legends in Koreatown are the central picks in Manhattan. Banter Bar and Roebling Sporting Club anchor the Williamsburg scene. The Red Lion on Bleecker Street and Houston Hall on West Houston cover downtown. Jones Wood Foundry is the Upper East Side go-to for England and Norway matches.

Are there family-friendly places to watch the World Cup in NYC?

The Fan Village is built for fans of all ages, with kid-friendly events including youth clinics, games, face painting, meet-and-greets, movie nights, and live entertainment all summer long. Families can also visit the FIFA Museum Presented by Hyundai for free with a reservation, and add it to a Top of the Rock ticket for priority access. Crossbar on the Upper West Side is a soccer café that opens at 7:30 am and is built for daytime, all-ages viewing. PANNA-USA in Long Island City has a free outdoor lounge and deck broadcasting every match. The official fan zones across the five boroughs (including at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens and at Brooklyn Bridge Park) are also free, public, and family-appropriate.

When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup begin?

The opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City. The tournament runs through July 19, 2026. The first matchday at MetLife Stadium falls in the group stage in mid-June, and the New York/New Jersey region's program builds through the Round of 32 and Round of 16 to the final.

Which national teams are playing in the NYC/NJ region?

The match schedule is available on FIFA’s official site and the NYNJ Host Committee’s page (#nynjfwc26). National teams including Brazil, France, Morocco, Senegal, Norway, Ecuador, Panama, Canada, and Mexico are scheduled to play at MetLife Stadium during the group stage, with additional knockout round matches to follow. Check the official FIFA match schedule for confirmed match dates and times.

What fan events are happening around the World Cup in NYC?

Beyond the Fan Village, the NYNJ Host Committee is programming fan experiences across the city's boroughs in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Neighborhood bars, restaurants, and community spaces are running their own matchday events throughout the tournament. Follow #nynjfwc26 for the latest updates.