The Answers:
Q: Can you give me some general information about the "NFL Kickoff Live From Times Square" event?
New York City and the National Football League present "NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square" is slated for Times Square on Thursday, September 5th with an unprecedented free football and music festival to kick off the season and celebrate the resilient spirit of New York and America. The event leads up to the first-ever NFL season kickoff on a Thursday in primetime as the San Francisco 49ers play the New York Giants at Giants Stadium (ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET).
Bon Jovi, one of America's preeminent bands, will headline the event and perform
at halftime of the game. Other confirmed performers are Enrique Iglesias, Eve
and Alicia Keys.
U2's Bono will not perform at the event. The NFL is still finalizing participation of other talent. No other performers are confirmed at this time.
The day will include recognition and support of New York City's September 11 memorial events.
The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will continue with a variety of entertainment until 8:00 p.m. Very large crowds are expected, possibly in excess of 100,000 people.
Q: Do you need tickets to come to the event in Times Square?
No. "NFL Kickoff Live From Times Square" is a free public event. Tickets are not needed.
Q: What will the security arrangements be? May I bring a backpack?
The NYPD will be screening everyone who enters Times Square and everyone who enters one of the pens in the viewing area. Checkpoints will be implemented at Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue. Backpacks and large packages will not be allowed.
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Q: What streets will be closed for the event, and at what time do you expect these closings to occur?
On Thursday, September 5, as crowds build, the New York Police Department will begin closing down access to Times Square starting at
43rd Street and Broadway and moving north as more people arrive. The times that these blocks close to pedestrian and vehicular traffic will depend on when the crowds arrive. However, it is likely that there will be no vehicular traffic on either Broadway or Seventh Avenue by 12:00 noon, and vehicles will most likely have difficulty traveling across town after by 12:00 noon above 42nd Street as far north as 59th Street. Street closures may begin as early as 12:00 noon and remain in effect until
11:00 p.m.
Q: What streets will be closed prior to the event, and will parking restrictions be in effect?
Load-in and setup of the event will begin at 11:00 p.m. on Monday, September 2. One lane on either side of the stage area (Broadway and Seventh Avenue) will be closed for load-in and setup.
There will be parking restrictions in the area prior to and on the day of the event; details will be posted here as they become available.
Q: When will the streets be reopened after the
event?
People will be allowed to exit the area via the side streets after the
event. After the crowd has dispersed and the streets have been cleaned, we
expect the side streets should be reopened by 10:30 p.m., and Broadway and
Seventh Avenue should be reopened no later than 11:00 p.m.
Q: Where can I get the best view of the event?
The stage will be at Broadway & 43rd Street and can be best seen along Broadway beginning at 44th Street through to 53rd Street, and Seventh Avenue as far north as 59th Street. However, there will be giant video screens along both Broadway and Seventh Avenue from
48th Street to 52nd Street, as well as audio speakers that will broadcast the event.
Specifically, large screens will be placed in the following locations:
- W. 48th Street and Broadway
- W. 48th Street and Seventh Avenue
- W. 50th Street and Broadway
- W. 50th Street and Seventh Avenue
- W. 52nd Street and Seventh Avenue
Q: What time must I arrive in Times Square if I want to be able to see the event?
The NYPD will not allow people to gather in Times Square and block pedestrian and vehicular traffic prior to the afternoon of the event. We cannot predict how quickly the viewing areas will fill up. We recommend you plan to arrive shortly before
2:00 p.m.
Please note, no one will be permitted to camp out overnight in Times Square, and sleeping overnight in public areas (sidewalks, parks, etc.) is against the law.
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Q: Will there be areas in Times Square designated for disabled persons?
There will be an ADA accessible viewing area set up
at the west corner of 44th Street and Seventh Avenue.
Q: Will there be public restrooms available?
No. There will be no public restrooms at the event. If people
leave their viewing area for any reason, they will not be allowed to return to
their same viewing area. Anyone re-entering the viewing areas along Broadway and
Seventh Avenue will be directed to the rear of the viewing areas.
Q: Can we bring/consume alcohol?
No. Please remember that public drinking is illegal in New York City and therefore police will confiscate alcohol. There will be zero tolerance for alcohol.
Q: Will there be food and drink vendors in Times Square?
There will be no licensed food and beverage vendors in Times Square. Peddler teams will be deployed by the NYPD to combat vendors.
Q: Will there be restaurants open in the area so we can go and eat and come back to our spot in a viewing area?
Most restaurants and bars in the Times Square area are expected to remain open.
A listing of restaurants and bars in the Times Square area that will have
televisions showing the event and/or the football game will be posted at www.timessquarebid.org/nfl, as
well as a list of establishments offering discounts or special
offers for that night.
For a full listing of restaurants in the Times Square area, check out the Times Square BID's Online Restaurant Guide at
www.TimesSquareBID.org/restaurants, or pick up a copy of the Times Square Restaurant Guide at the Times Square Visitors Center (1560 Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets).
Please bear in mind that if you dine at a local restaurant you will not simply be able to come out of the restaurant and watch the event. People will have been arriving in Times Square from much earlier in the day and so while you are eating, designated viewing areas will fill up on a "first come first served"
basis. Please also remember that if you leave your viewing area to dine in a restaurant you may not be able to return to your spot in a viewing area.
Q: Are the theatres going to be open? What other stores and restaurants will be open?
Most Broadway theaters will be open. You can check the schedules for Broadway and some Off Broadway shows at www.telecharge.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Because of the probable congestion in the theatre district, most Broadway shows have decided to push back their curtain times to 8:30 p.m. More productions are expected to announce a change in start time as well; www.LiveBroadway.com will post updates.
Stores and restaurants will be open at their own discretion, so call them ahead of time.
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Q: Will the TKTS booth sell tickets for theatre performances on Thursday, September 5?
On Wednesday, September 4, the TKTS discount theatre tickets booth will sell Wednesday matinee tickets for that afternoon during its regular hours of 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. From 3:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m., TKTS will sell evening performance tickets for BOTH Wednesday, September 4 and Thursday, September 5.
On the day of the kickoff event, Thursday, September 5, the TKTS booth will open at 10:00 a.m. for tickets for that evening and stay open as long as it remains accessible (probably around 12:00 noon).
Q: Where should I direct questions regarding theatre tickets I have already purchased?
You should contact the customer service department of the entity who sold you the tickets (e.g. Tele-charge, Ticketmaster, your ticket agent or the box office).
Q: Where will the entry points for
access to Times Square be located for people who want to attend the event?
There will be entry points to the viewing areas for the
event at the following locations on 6th Avenue and 8th
Avenue:
8th Avenue & 45th
Street
8th Avenue & 49th Street
8th Avenue & 52nd Street
8th Avenue & 55th Street
8th Avenue & 58th Street
6th Avenue & 47th
Street
6th Avenue & 49th
Street
6th Avenue & 52nd
Street
6th Avenue & 55th
Street
6th Avenue & 58th
Street
If you want to enter the viewing areas for the event, you
must enter at one of these checkpoints. If you are
trying to get to a destination (e.g. a restaurant, hotel, theatre, office
building, etc.) on any other side street, you will be allowed to enter that
street at 6th Avenue or 8th Avenue, provided you tell the
NYPD officer on duty your destination.
Q: Can you give me general information about access into and out of businesses in Times Square once the streets are closed?
The public will have access to theatres, office buildings and other local establishments via checkpoints at Sixth and Eighth
Avenues and should enter the Times Square area from either Sixth Avenue or Eighth Avenue, whichever is
closer to their destination. NYPD officers and supervisors will receive special instructions to escort people to
their destinations once street closings have been implemented.
People will be allowed to enter the closed-off streets only if they have a specific destination on those streets. We recommend that you have proof of your destination with you if possible (e.g. theatre ticket, employee ID card).
People will be permitted to cross Broadway and Seventh Avenue only at three
designated transverse streets: 42nd Street, 45th Street and 47th
Street.
People who wish to leave the area once the streets have been closed, such as employees leaving work, will be directed to exit down the nearest side street to their building, to either Sixth Avenue or Eighth
Avenue, or to one of the three transverses across Broadway and Seventh Avenue
(42nd, 45th and 47th Streets) if they are already on one of those streets.
Buildings facing Seventh Avenue and Broadway are urged to utilize side street entrances to reduce congestion in Times Square.
Sidewalks will remain fluid to allow people access to subways, etc.
Emergency lanes will be in effect throughout the event.
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Q: Will I be able to get to the theatres after the streets have been closed?
If you have tickets for a performance on one of the streets that has been closed, just tell the NYPD officer on duty at the checkpoint on either Sixth Avenue or Eighth Avenue, whichever is closer to your theatre. You will be directed or escorted to your theatre.
If your destination is on one of the three designated transverse streets (42nd,
45th or 47th Street), you will be permitted to cross Broadway and Seventh Avenue
if necessary.
We recommend that, if possible, you bring proof of your destination with you (e.g. your ticket or receipt if you have one).
Q: Will I be able to get to my hotel after the streets have been closed?
If you are staying in a hotel on one of the streets that has been closed, just tell the NYPD officer on duty at the checkpoint on either Sixth Avenue or Eighth Avenue, whichever is closer to your hotel. You will be directed or escorted to your hotel.
If your destination is on one of the three designated transverse streets (42nd,
45th or 47th Street), you will be permitted to cross Broadway and Seventh Avenue
if necessary.
We recommend that, if possible, you bring proof of your destination with you (e.g. your hotel room key or receipt if you have one).
Q: Will I be able to get to restaurants, bars or other local establishments after the streets have been closed?
If you want to get to a specific destination on one of the streets that has been closed, just tell the NYPD officer on duty at the checkpoint on either Sixth Avenue or Eighth Avenue, whichever is closer to your destination. You will be directed or escorted to your destination. However, no one will be allowed to enter a closed-off area without a specific destination.
If your destination is on one of the three designated transverse streets (42nd,
45th or 47th Street), you will be permitted to cross Broadway and Seventh Avenue
if necessary.
Q: Will I be able to get to my office building or place of business after the streets have been closed?
If you work in a building or have business on one of the streets that has been closed, just tell the NYPD officer on duty at the checkpoint on either Sixth Avenue or Eighth Avenue, whichever is closer to your destination. You will be directed or escorted to your destination.
If your destination is on one of the three designated transverse streets (42nd,
45th or 47th Street), you will be permitted to cross Broadway and Seventh Avenue
if necessary.
We recommend that, if possible, you bring proof of your destination with you (e.g. an employee I.D. card or pass from your employer or destination if you have one).
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Q: When can I have deliveries
and pickups in the Times Square area on September 5?
Deliveries and pickups in Times Square should be
scheduled for prior to 11:00 a.m. on September 5.
Q: Will the subways in the area be running, and will entrances and exits remain open?
Subways are scheduled to remain running as normal, and entrances and exits are expected to remain open. However, please note that people will not be permitted to walk along Broadway or Seventh Avenue and will be directed down the side streets to enter or exit Times Square.
Q: What is the best way to come to Times Square?
The best way to come to Times Square is via public transportation. Via subway, the # 1, 2, 3, 7, A, B, C, D, E, F, N, R, V, and S shuttle trains all service 42nd Street. Buses that service the area include the M6, M7, M10, M27, M42 and M104.
Buses that service the affected area will be re-routed while the streets are
closed. The MTA is planning to keep all subway stations open; however, some entrances and exits may be closed as crowd conditions require. For further information nearer the time and on the day of the event, please call the MTA at (718) 330-1234 or go to www.MTA.info.
Other useful numbers:
- Port Authority Bus Terminal - (212) 564-8484
- New York City Transit Authority (Local Bus Service) - (718) 330-1234
- Amtrak - (800) 523-8720
- Metro North - (212)-532-4900
- Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) - (718) 217- LIRR
Q: Are there hotel rooms available in the Times Square area, and can you recommend somewhere?
There more than 14,000 hotel rooms in the neighborhood -- ranging from large hotel chains, to small quiet retreats or suite hotels for extended stays. There are also several youth hostels situated in and around the Times Square area. Book your stay now to avoid disappointment. For a complete listing of hotels in the area visit www.TimesSquareBID.org/hotels. You can contact the hotels directly about rates and availability, or contact your travel agent for more information and reservations.
Q: Where will the event be broadcast?
Portions of the event will be televised live or by tape by CBS, MTV,
VH1 and ESPN as the NFL gets ready to kick off its 83rd season. Radio
coverage and promotions will be provided nationally by Westwood One and
Clear Channel Entertainment.
More specifically, the NFL has developed a comprehensive plan for the
national television and radio coverage of "NFL Kickoff Live from Times
Square":
- CBS will tape the event and air an exclusive prime-time one-hour show
the following night, Friday, Sept. 6.
- WCBS-2 in New York will go live from the event from 7-8 p.m. ET. In
addition, they will do live cut-ins from Times Square between 4:30 and 6:30
p.m. ET.
- VH1 will televise Bon Jovi's performance live from 7-8 p.m. ET on
Thursday. VH1 will also re-air the performance in prime-time Saturday,
Sept. 7.
- ESPN will do frequent live shots from a satellite set in Times Square
during its "NFL Countdown" show from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- WPLJ-FM in New York, 95.5 FM, will broadcast live from Times Square
beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET and will simulcast the event.
- Westwood One, the exclusive home of the NFL on network radio since
1987, will produce and distribute the radio broadcast of the event to
radio stations nationwide.
Many local restaurants and bars will be showing the event on
television, and a list of those will be posted at www.timessquarebid.org/nfl.
Q: Will the event be webcast?
No, the event will not be webcast.
Q: Will the football game
after the event be televised on the giant screens in Times Square?
No, the game will not be televised on the screens in Times
Square. The crowd will be asked to disperse and leave the area after the event
ends at 8:00 p.m. However, many local restaurants and bars will be showing
the event on television, and a list of those will be posted at www.timessquarebid.org/nfl.
Q: Where can I get more information on the event?
Please check out the official NFL site at www.nfl.com/kickoff
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