NYC’s World Cup Hosting Playbook

• There will be a total of 104 matches between June 11 and July 19, played throughout 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• Full World Cup Schedule

• NYNJ is hosting eight matches, including the final. You can view the full NYNJ schedule here.
• All matches will be played at MetLife Stadium (known as New York New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup) in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

• All tickets can be purchased directly via FIFA at https://www.fifa.com/en/tickets. New York City and the NYNJ Committee are not selling tickets and do not have authority over ticket prices.

New York City is activating across all five boroughs so every New Yorker -- and every visitor -- has something to celebrate.

• Several official Fan Fests hosted by the FIFA Host Committee, including Rockefeller Center and USTA Stadium in Queens. Check here for more and up-to-date information on the official FIFA Fan Fests.
• NYC Tourism is partnering with businesses large and small to showcase the diversity that makes New York City great. If your business plans to offer specials or host World Cup events, submit them to the Events Portal.
• The New York New Jersey FIFA Host Committee has put together a toolkit with a variety of ideas on how you can bring the World Cup to life within your community – check out the toolkit here.

Necessary licenses and permits must be secured directly. See below for details.

• Licensing (broadcasting or streaming games for group viewing) is managed by FIFA.
• Permitting (public space) is managed through NYC agencies.
• No funds, grants, or sponsorships are available through New York City to offset these costs.

• NYC Tourism is launching a free, public calendar on April 16 where businesses, organizations, and institutions can submit World Cup programming, giving New Yorkers and visitors a one-stop shop for events and activities.
• The NYNJ Host Committee has launched the Welcome World Rewards Program to connect fans to independent businesses. Enrollment is open to eligible businesses from April 1 to May 15. For more information, check here and submit your application to participate by May 15.

• NYC Tourism’s free, public calendar will launch soon, featuring thousands of events, activities, and specials hosted by community organizations, restaurants, cultural institutions, theaters, and more.

• There is no public fee schedule for licensing requests. The FIFA public viewing team reviews all requests and assigns the appropriate fee based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: Venue; Host Information; Ticketing Information; Event Format; Sponsorship Involvement; etc. For questions related to licensing, please get in touch with FIFA directly at publicviewing@fifa.org.

• As of April 15, we understand that the timeline for licensing requests is approximately 4 weeks. The NYNJ Host Committee is working with FIFA to emphasize the urgency of the need, but we cannot further influence or inform this process.

• Further questions regarding viewing licenses can be sent directly to publicviewing@fifa.org. 

• Yes, all public spaces require a permit for use. You will need to apply for a permit (or multiple permits) depending on the location, purpose, and programming plan of the event.  

• Permitting for streets and plazas is managed through the Special Activity Permit Office (SAPO) within the Mayor’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management (CECM) via their e-Apply platform.
  • Permit applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • For more information on CECM’s permit process, please review CECM’s information here.
  • As of April 20, 2026 CECM has published this Memo regarding events during the duration of the World Cup.
• If the event is within or begins, ends, or passes through a public park, you will need to obtain a permit through the New York City Parks Department.
• Parades or other events requiring amplified sound also require a Sound Permit via NYPD.
• Production permits (for filming, etc.) are managed by the Mayor’s Office of Media + Entertainment

• More guidance can be found in the Comprehensive Permitting Guide here (begins p.69 of the PDF).
• To host a Watch Party under a SAPO permit, you must obtain the proper licensing rights, and proof of permission/approval must be uploaded to your SAPO application. You may submit confirmation that your licensing request has been submitted, but your permit may not be approved until it has been confirmed. Jump to info about licensing.
• Please be advised that all permit requests are subject to Executive Order 44: Alcohol Restrictions, which prohibit the presence of alcohol on Pedestrian Plazas, and Executive Order 9: Sugary Drinks Restrictions, which prohibit the marketing, consumption, and distribution of sugary drinks on Pedestrian Plazas unless there is a concession in place.

• Currently, permit review times via the e-Apply platform exceed 4 weeks and will only be meaningfully considered if it is determined, through cross-agency partnership, that there is sufficient resourcing to support a safe gathering.
• Please direct specific questions regarding the process and status of permits to CECM via email at EMAIL or reach out to the Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) during business hours of Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm at (212) 788-0025.

• A non-refundable application fee of $25 is required to submit your application.
• Costs for permits vary on the details of the event - please reference SAPO’s Fees guidance for information.

• Please reach out to NYC Tourism for more information about media hosting and press inquiries directly via the addresses listed at the bottom of this page.

• New York City Small Business Services is here to help small businesses be successful during and beyond the World Cup. Please reach out to NYC Small Business Services for assistance.
• Submit your World Cup-themed event to the NYNJ Host Committee for a chance to be promoted through their marketing channels.
• Add your event(s) via the Portal to be included in the Welcome Rewards Program.

• The NYC Small Business Services team has an Online Directory of NYC Certified Businesses - a searchable list of M/WBE, LBE, and EBE businesses certified by the City of New York. Find contact information for these firms, and learn about their expertise, experience, and more. Visit the Directory to find a partner.

• The New York New Jersey Host Committee manages all procurement requests. Please submit your request via their portal.

• Thanks for your interest! Please submit your information via our volunteer interest form, and we will reach out as needed.