Mayor Mamdani, NYC Tourism + Conventions and Team Wonder Launch New Initiatives to Help New Yorkers and Visitors Explore the Five Boroughs During the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, Including “NYC Neighborhood Passport”

NEW YORK – Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, NYC Tourism + Conventions and Team Wonder today unveiled a series of new initiatives to help New Yorkers and visitors alike explore the five boroughs and find free and low-cost ways to celebrate the world’s biggest sporting event.

As part of the initiative, Mayor Mamdani and Team Wonder, with support from the New York Community Trust, will launch the “NYC Neighborhood Passport,” a citywide program encouraging people to explore New York City’s immigrant communities, cultural institutions, small businesses and community events throughout the tournament.

Participants will be able to collect stamps from hundreds of community organizations and public events across the five boroughs while also sharing stories about what the World Cup means to them as part of a nationwide storytelling initiative.

Mayor Mamdani and NYC Tourism + Conventions will also launch a new events calendar and interactive digital map on nyctourism.com to help New Yorkers and visitors discover free and low-cost programming, local promotions and neighborhood events throughout the tournament. Developed alongside the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, the platform will help drive visitors to local businesses, cultural institutions and community events across all five boroughs.

These initiatives build on the Mamdani administration’s broader effort to ensure every New Yorker can take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, including plans for free official NYNJ fan events in every borough, World Cup field days for students at 50 public schools and investments in public spaces across the city ahead of the tournament.

The ‘NYC Neighborhood Passport’ will encourage participants to explore neighborhoods across New York City and collect artist-designed stamps. Credit: Team Wonder.

“The World Cup isn’t just coming to MetLife Stadium. It’s coming to Corona and Flatbush, Astoria and Sunset Park, and every neighborhood that makes New York the most diverse, dynamic city in the world,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Whether you’re arriving at JFK for the first time or you’ve lived in the five boroughs your whole life, we want every New Yorker and every visitor to experience the full breadth of this city during the World Cup. The NYC Neighborhood Passport, events calendar and digital map will help people discover fun, free and accessible ways to explore New York through the world’s game.”

“This World Cup, people should get to scavenge for fun passport stamps, not be forced to scavenge for affordable ways to join the celebration. With these new initiatives, we'll make it easy for New Yorkers and visitors alike to explore the five boroughs, find free watch parties, visit small businesses, and enjoy the historic tournament coming to our community,” said World Cup Czar Maya Handa. “Thank you to all of our partners across the public and private sector who are making these initiatives — as well as the lifetime memories they will create — possible.”

“New York City’s diversity is our greatest strength, and the FIFA World Cup presents an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the people, neighborhoods, and cultural institutions that make the five boroughs unlike anywhere else in the world,” said NYC Tourism President and CEO Julie Coker. “NYC Tourism is proud to lead the development of this citywide events calendar and mapping experience with Neurun, helping New Yorkers and visitors alike discover free and affordable programming, support local businesses, and explore communities across all five boroughs throughout the tournament. From iconic attractions to neighborhood celebrations, these tools will help ensure the excitement and economic impact of the World Cup are felt in every corner of our city.”

“The World Cup is an opportunity to showcase New York City on the global stage while highlighting the communities, cultures, and small businesses that define our region,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee. “These initiatives will help connect fans and visitors to neighborhoods across all five boroughs while creating meaningful opportunities for local organizations and businesses to be part of the biggest sporting event in history. We’re proud to support efforts that encourage people to explore the city, engage with local communities, and experience the authentic energy that makes New York unlike anywhere else in the world.”

“Ask any soccer fan about the World Cup, and you'll hear stories that span generations, bridge borders, and inspire dreams,” said Betsy MacLean, Partner at Team Wonder. “This summer, we have the chance to lean into the joy, belonging, and solidarity of it all -- to celebrate immigrant communities, explore the magic of NYC neighborhoods, connect with each other, and lead with love on a global stage.”

Beginning June 11, NYC Neighborhood Passport booklets will be available at every public library branch across the five boroughs and at select events. Participants will be able to collect stamps from hundreds of cultural institutions, community organizations and public events.

Each stamp has been designed by New York City-based artists with roots in India, Colombia, Iran, Korea, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Vietnam, Ghana, Mexico and Argentina, reflecting both the countries participating in the World Cup and the cultural diversity of New York City.

Stamps will be distributed across designated locations throughout the city, encouraging participants to explore dance performances, film screenings, art exhibits, book talks, block parties and more across all five boroughs in order to collect every stamp. Locations were also selected to highlight immigrant communities, including Little Senegal, Little Colombia, Little India and others.

Stamps will be available at participating organizations, including:

• 651 ARTS
• American Museum of Natural History
• BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn
• Bronx Children's Museum
• Bronx River Art Center
• Brooklyn Public Library
• Carnegie Hall
• Cypress Hills Fulton Business Improvement District
• El Museo del Barrio
• En Garde Arts
• Fifth Avenue Committee
• Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc)
• Franklin Furnace
• Gotham Football Club
• Historic Richmond Town
• I AM CARIBBEING/Little Caribbean NYC
• International Center of Photography
• Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning
• Juneteenth NYC
• Kensington Cultural Council
• King Manor Museum
• Korean Community Services
• LA VICTORIA FOUNDATION
• Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
• Lewis Latimer House
• Make the Road NY
• Mark Morris Dance Group
• Mexican Coalition
• MOCADA
• Museum of Chinese in America
• Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
• New Victory Theater
• New York African Chorus Ensemble, Inc
• New York Botanical Garden
• New York Hall of Science
• New York Public Library
• NONGKI NYC
• Project New Yorker
• Prospect Park Alliance
• Queens Botanical Garden
• Queens County Farm Museum
• Queens Museum
• Queens Public Library
• Queens Theatre
• Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden
• Spanish Theatre Repertory Company, Ltd. (aka Repertorio Español)
• Staten Island Children's Museum
• Staten Island Museum
• Street Lab
• Sundog Theatre
• The Bronx Museum
• The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center
• The Haitian Americans United For Progress, Inc.
• The Laundromat Project
• The Morgan Library and Museum
• The Museum of the City of New York
• The New York Historical
• The Public Theater
• Wave Hill
• West Indian American Day Carnival Association

For a full and updated list of participating organizations and stamp locations, visit team-wonder.com/alreadyhome

The Mamdani administration and Team Wonder are also launching the NYC Neighborhood Passport alongside “Already Home,” a nationwide storytelling campaign inviting soccer fans and nonfans alike to share what the World Cup means to them. Participants will be encouraged to submit video or audio recordings of their World Cup stories, which will become part of a national collection spanning cities including Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Albuquerque and El Paso.

On May 27, NYC Tourism + Conventions will also launch a new World Cup events calendar through its World Cup hub at nyctourism.com. Built by Neurun, the platform will feature events, special offers and promotions from businesses and organizations across all five boroughs, helping New Yorkers and visitors discover neighborhoods, cultures and communities.

Businesses and organizations across New York City will be able welcome to submit events and promotions for consideration free of charge.

As part of Small Business Month, Mayor Mamdani and the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) are expanding outreach efforts to help local businesses prepare for the influx of visitors expected during the World Cup. Through promotion of the NYC World Cup 2026 Business Tool Kit, the City is helping entrepreneurs take advantage of increased tourism and foot traffic.

To date, SBS has reached more than 56,000 New Yorkers and will continue outreach through its “Mobie” (Mobile Outreach Unit) tours, targeted email campaigns, social media outreach and industry roundtables.

Upcoming SBS outreach events include:

• May 13 – Jackson Heights, Queens
• May 15 – 161st Street, Bronx
• May 19 – Little Haiti, Brooklyn
• May 19 – Sunset Park, Brooklyn
• May 20 – Port Richmond, Staten Island
• May 26 – Koreatown, Manhattan
• June 4 – Little Senegal, Manhattan

“New York City is home to the most diverse, international, and vibrant arts and cultural organizations in the world - and they are celebrating the World Cup!” said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Diya Vij. “With hundreds of programs from cultural organizations participating in the map and Neighborhood Passport, every New Yorker - soccer fan or not - will have the opportunity to experience and engage with the intersection of culture and sports, marking this exciting global moment for our city.”

“New York City was built by immigrants and the NYC Neighborhood Passport is a celebration of the communities that continue to shape the heart and soul of our city,” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Faiza Ali. “As the World Cup brings people from around the globe to New York, this initiative encourages everyone to explore our immigrant neighborhoods, support local businesses, and experience the languages, cultures and traditions that make New York City unlike anywhere else in the world. We hope this passport inspires New Yorkers and visitors alike to walk these streets, connect across communities, and experience the richness and diversity that define our city.”

“Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is a tremendous opportunity that will attract visitors from around the world and encourage New Yorkers to take advantage of all that our city has to offer,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. “NYCEDC looks forward to activating several of our assets to ensure a historic summer for New York City. We encourage visitors and residents to explore new neighborhoods across the five boroughs, visit iconic cultural institutions, support small businesses, and participate in the administration’s free and low-cost offerings that will enhance the World Cup experience, making it affordable and accessible to all.”

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ will not only showcase New York City on the world stage, but also the people, neighborhoods, and public spaces that make our city so vibrant and unique,” said NYC Parks Tricia Shimamura. “NYC Parks is excited to bring New Yorkers together through free programming across the five boroughs, including soccer clinics, a soccer film festival, and fan zones in some of our incredible parks. We are proud to work alongside our fellow city agencies and partners to create welcoming public spaces and experiences that celebrate our diversity, connect communities, and ensure every New Yorker can take part in this historic moment.”

“The World Cup is an opportunity to celebrate all the diverse neighborhoods and cultural institutions New York City has to offer. And there's no better way to explore our city than on a bicycle; I encourage locals and visitors alike to hop on a bike or take advantage of our great public transit to visit the five boroughs and fill their NYC Neighborhood Passport — you’ve gotta stamp ‘em all!” said New York City Department for Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn.

“Working with the New York New Jersey Host Committee and regional partners on both sides of the Hudson has been a fantastic way to put our technology to the test,” said Cade Netscher, Neurun Founder and CEO. “We greatly value the partnerships we’ve built with these organizations and with the City, and we’re excited to make this technology available to everyone visiting and living in the region this summer.”

“In every corner of the world, right now, there is a child kicking a soccer ball, dreaming of playing for their country,” said Natalia Aristizabal, Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York. “When immigrants cross borders, we bring our culture, our family, and — yes — our game with us. The World Cup isn’t for millionaires with box seats. It’s a celebration of the people and for the people, and a moment for us to be together in solidarity with the community that sustains our joy even in dark times.”

“The NYC Neighborhood Passport program is a wonderful opportunity to connect New Yorkers and visitors alike with the extraordinary cultural institutions that define our city. On behalf of the Cultural Institutions Group, we are proud to support an initiative that encourages exploration across neighborhoods and communities while celebrating the vital role that arts and culture play in the civic life of New York City,” said Stephanie Hill Wilchfort, Ronay Menschel Director and President, Museum of the City of New York, and Chair, Cultural Institutions Group. “The program reflects the spirit of discovery, exchange, and civic pride that cultural organizations foster every day, and we are excited to help extend the energy of the World Cup beyond the stadiums and into the city.”

“Every one of the 48 World Cup nations has a community here in New York — and in Brooklyn in particular,” said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library. “We're excited to partner with Mayor Mamdani this summer to celebrate that heritage, with free World Cup screenings at dozens of libraries and a Neighborhood Passport to guide New Yorkers through the rich cultural opportunities right outside their door.”

“As a neighborhood made up of hard-working immigrant-owned businesses from nearly every Central and South American country, the World Cup is a chance for us to bring people together, celebrate our cultures, and showcase everything Fulton Street has to offer," said Katty Garces, Executive Director, Cypress Hills Fulton BID. “A lot of our small businesses have been navigating difficult times, and we’re excited to welcome new visitors into our community and give our small businesses the visibility and support they deserve during such a historic moment.”

“City buses connect every New York neighborhood and community institution and small businesses across all five boroughs. While our subway is famous, millions of people depend on our buses every single day,” said Betsy Plum, Executive Director, Riders Alliance. “When you ride the bus, see the city New Yorkers know, collect your stamps and fill your Neighborhood Passport, be sure to let people know, ‘I got here by bus.'”

“Prospect Park has always been at the center of Brooklyn’s melting pot,” said Morgan Monaco, President of the Prospect Park Alliance. “Neighbors representing the full breadth of New York's diversity gather here to celebrate cultural traditions and enjoy accessible outdoor activities. We are excited to welcome visitors to the park’s LeFrak Center at Lakeside for rollerskating, boating, and summer fun as part of the NYC Neighborhood Passport program, encouraging everyone to enjoy our shared natural oasis.”

“We believe that cultural exploration strengthens community connection and shines a light on local histories that are often overlooked,” said Ran Yan, Executive Director of the Lewis Latimer House. “This program is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity and creativity that define our city. We're looking forward to welcoming visitors to engage with legacies of innovation and community in Queens and beyond!”

“La Colmena is proud to welcome visitors to Staten Island and highlight the borough’s vibrant immigrant communities, small businesses, and cultural diversity. As the world comes to New York for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, we want people to experience Staten Island’s unique neighborhoods and the community organizations that make our borough strong,” said Arlette Cepeda, Interim Executive Director of La Colmena. “This is a unique opportunity to showcase Staten Island on a global stage and ensure the borough benefits from the excitement, tourism, and cultural connections the tournament will bring.”

“The Staten Island Museum is proud to partner on the Neighborhood Passport Program to welcome visitors from around the world in experiencing NYC’s culture as part of their World Cup experience,” said Janice Monger, President & CEO of the Staten Island Museum. “We are excited about this cultural exchange, generating fun, excitement, and unity around a globally loved sport.”

“New York City is home to more than 4,000 cultural organizations across all five boroughs and in every neighborhood,” said Gonzalo Casals, Co-Director of Culture and Arts Policy Institute. “Every day, artists and cultural organizations animate community centers, libraries, parks, plazas, and local gathering places, inviting New Yorkers to explore the extraordinary cultural richness of the city they call home. Already Home: World Cup ’26 builds on that foundation by encouraging residents to discover the many cultures represented in this global tournament, collect a lasting memento of their journeys, and contribute their own stories to a living mosaic of wonder, memory, and belonging that only New York City can create.”

“We are proud to partner with the City on NYC Neighborhood Passport, a program that encourages cultural engagement and exploration of New York’s many immigrant enclaves, local library branches, and so many other arts and culture venues and businesses,” said New York Public Library President and CEO Anthony W. Marx.

“BRIC is excited to take part in Already Home. We are a gathering place and an amplifier for people creating culture and community,” said Wes Jackson, President of BRIC Arts Media. “Fans of the world's beautiful game are always welcome at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! and at BRIC House, where we demonstrate radical joy for all people, all the time.”

“We are excited to welcome visitors from around the city and the globe to the World's Borough,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Our knowledgeable, diverse staff is looking forward to offering fun and engaging World Cup activities, including screening televised matches and introducing people to our multilingual collections, giving them insider tips about our communities, and providing them with access to our computers and Wi-Fi as they discover the unparalleled culture, cuisine, and character of Queens.”

###