The wait is officially over, New York. ⚽
Midtown Manhattan just transformed into the ultimate soccer block party, and the energy is already off the charts.
Starting today, Monday, July 6, the massive NYNJ World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village is officially open at Rockefeller Center.
Proving to be the ultimate fan experience throughout the rest of the tournament, this three-block campus takeover is your new summer hangout through July 19.
From a playable pitch where the famous ice rink usually sits to free soccer clinics and a sky-high watch party 70 floors up, here is everything happening at the Fan Village right now.
The rink is now a giant interactive soccer pitch
Step aside, ice skaters.
The iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center has officially been converted into “The Pitch,” a first-of-its-kind, vibrant soccer field that serves as the beating heart of the Fan Village.
This is where you will want to be for live match viewing, because Telemundo is broadcasting the games daily in Spanish on towering 26-foot jumbo LED screens.
Between the live games, the field becomes a playground of interactive challenges, memorable photo ops, and high-energy crowd contests.
The live match screenings are completely free and open to the public, so grab your friends and get ready to chant.
Watch knockout matches 70 floors up At Top Of The Rock
If watching the games at street level is not enough of a thrill, you can take your match-day experience into the skyline.
Top of the Rock has been named the Official Viewpoint of the NYNJ World Cup 26, giving fans a breathtaking place to stream the tournament 70 floors above Manhattan with 360-degree views of the city.
Even better, holding a ticket to Top of the Rock unlocks a sweet 10% discount on official FIFA merchandise across the entire Rockefeller Center campus.
You can grab your gear at the Official Store on 51st Street, the Top of the Rock Shop, or the brand new dedicated pop-up store that just opened on Rockefeller Plaza today.
The FIFA Museum, robot sightings, and a living Champions Garden
Before you hit the viewing screens, take a walk through the Channel Gardens.
The walkway has been reimagined as the Champions’ Garden, a gorgeous living floral tribute celebrating the eight nations that have lifted the World Cup trophy throughout history, complete with a special photo exhibition curated by the FIFA Museum.
Speaking of the museum, you cannot miss the “Legacies of Champions” exhibition presented by Hyundai up on the 9th floor of Radio Park.
Running through July 19, this free, immersive exhibit displays rare artifacts and jerseys spanning from the inaugural 1930 tournament all the way to the present day.
Tech lovers are also in for a wild surprise. Boston Dynamics’ famous Spot and Atlas robots are roaming the venue and interacting with fans. You can snap a photo with Atlas holding an official match ball in the first-floor lobby, or catch Spot greeting guests and handing out collectible photocard rewards.
Over on the North Plaza, there is even an outdoor stadium-style pitch where you can shoot a ball to answer soccer trivia. Score a goal, and you will win a celebratory balloon powered by Hyundai’s IONIQ 9 vehicle technology.
Free soccer clinics, movie nights, and interactive workshops
The Fan Village is not just about watching soccer; it is about playing it, too.
Rockefeller Center has rolled out an insane lineup of free programming for kids, teens, and adults.
While all events are free and open to the public, you will definitely want to pre-register online through the Rockefeller Center event page to secure a spot before they fill up.
- FC Bayern Youth Clinics: Coaches flying straight in from Munich are leading dribbling, passing, and shooting drills for kids and teens on select days between July 6 and July 17.
- NYCFC Soccer Days: On July 9 and July 15, New York City FC is hosting free skill-based sessions and small-sided games, including an adult clinic and specialized youth sessions.
- Gotham FC Youth Clinic: Young players can develop confidence and creativity with core technical training from Gotham FC on July 13.
- Panini Skills Clinic: The legendary collectibles brand is hosting a fun-filled fundamentals clinic for kids of all ages on July 8.
- Outdoor Movie Nights: Illumination is taking over The Pitch for two outdoor family movie screenings, featuring Minions on July 12 and Minions: The Rise of Gru on July 16.
- Broadway Meets Soccer: Celebrate with a special collaboration between Telemundo and Broadway’s Buena Vista Social Club on July 16, where you can watch live performances and learn choreography from the Tony Award-winning musical.
- Hands-On Arts and Crafts: Kids can build their own tabletop Flick Soccer kits at The Home Depot Kids Workshop on July 12, or create sports-inspired mixed-media collages during the Art Sundae workshop with Art Production Fund on July 11.
How to visit the Fan Village
Ready to get in on the action?
The NYNJ World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village is located at Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan and runs every single day from today, July 6, through Sunday, July 19.
Entry to the plaza, watch parties, and public exhibitions is completely free.
On official match days, the village stays open from 10 am all the way to 11 pm.
On non-match days, you can explore the campus from 10 am to 8pm.
⚽ For more details about the Rockefeller Center Fan Village, head here!
