Where to watch the FIFA World Cup final in NYC
It might be hard to believe, but the 2026 FIFA World Cup is nearly over. Soccer fans have been captivated by what many are calling one of the most exciting tournaments in recent memory, while cities around the globe, including New York City, have welcomed travelers from near and far to celebrate the beloved event. This Sunday, the tournament will come to an end in New Jersey, which will host the final between Argentina and Spain. The third-place match between France and England takes place on Saturday. Ahead, here are some of the best places across the five boroughs to watch the match, from a free free screenings on Governors Island and in Hudson Yards to under the Blue Whale at the American Museum of Natural History.
Manhattan
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West, Upper West Side
Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m.
The American Museum of Natural History is transforming into a World Cup watch party destination for the final. The match will be shown on giant screens in the LeFrak Theater, Cullman Hall of the Universe, the Global Sports Pavilion in Futter Gallery, beneath the iconic Blue Whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, and the Wallach Orientation Center, with admission included with museum entry. The screening marks the latest event in the museum’s “World Cup, World Cultures: Celebrating the Community of Science and Sport” series, which featured match screenings throughout June and July leading up to the final.
The iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center has been taken over by Telemundo, which has transformed it into a “fan village” for the duration of the World Cup. Across the world-famous plaza, visitors have enjoyed soccer-themed programming, from youth soccer clinics and outdoor movie screenings to watch parties and brand activations. Watching the final at Rockefeller Center will offer an immersive experience in one of the world’s most famous public spaces. Tickets are not required, but spots are expected to fill up quickly, so fans are encouraged to arrive early and secure a spot.
Great Lawn at Central Park
Sunday, July 19 at 12 p.m.
Central Park is hosting what will be one of the world’s largest World Cup watch parties for Sunday’s final, with 50,000 people expected to attend. Hosted on the park’s iconic Great Lawn in partnership with Global Citizen, the event will feature giant LED screens, food vendors, and live performances. The watch party will be emceed by Charlamagne Tha God and Elvis Duran. Tickets were distributed through a lottery, which closed on Thursday.
Governors Island
Parade Ground
July 19 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Witness the epic conclusion of the FIFA World Cup at Governors Island’s historic Parade Ground, where fans can enjoy the final with the Manhattan skyline as a scenic backdrop. Presented in partnership with Rooftop Films, the large-scale public screening will feature soccer clinics, open play opportunities, live DJs, family-friendly activities, and international food vendors celebrating NYC’s diversity. The event is free and open to the public.
Pitchside Club
The Standard Biergarten, 848 Washington Street, Meatpacking District
Michelob Ultra has transformed the High Line’s Standard Biergarten into a soccer social club, creating a lively viewing experience that brings fans closer to the action just across the river from MetLife Stadium. At the 21+ watch club, attendees can enjoy Michelob Ultra alongside live DJs, fan activations, giveaways, and other programming. Advanced registration is required.
Manhattan West
Manhattan West Plaza, Hudson Yards
Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m.
Fans have gathered at Manhattan West’s plaza for every match of the tournament so far, and the final will be no different. The spacious public space offers a lively setting for soccer fans, with nearby restaurants and bars providing plenty of options to enjoy game day.
Lincoln Center
Hearst Plaza, Lincoln Square
Catch the World Cup final at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts’ idyllic Hearst Plaza. The lush public space has hosted watch parties throughout the tournament, with matches broadcast on a large screen with full live audio and a vibrant fan atmosphere. The watch party is free, with entry available on a first-come, first-served basis. Capacity is limited, so guests are encouraged to arrive early.
The Red Lion
151 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village
Widely considered one of the city’s top destinations to watch soccer, the Red Lion in Greenwich Village has hosted an exciting lineup of watch parties and programming throughout this year’s World Cup. Every match is broadcast with full sound across the indoor and outdoor space, featuring food and drink specials, a rotating menu of World Cup burgers inspired by participating countries, official FIFA sponsor beer buckets, and giveaways. The excitement culminates on Sunday during the final, when the Red Lion will host one last unforgettable watch party.
The Matchbox at El Lugar
132 West 27th Street, Nomad
Tucked inside the INNSiDE by Meliá New York NoMad, El Lugar has transformed into a fully immersive soccer headquarters for the FIFA World Cup. The themed installation features turf, international flags, soccer-themed bar games, and a 136-inch TV with full sound throughout the venue. Patrons can enjoy the final alongside regional Mexican dishes by Chef Alex Mixcoatl, country-inspired game-day specials, a taco stand, and expansive agave offerings.
Watermark
Pier 15, 78 South Street, South Street Seaport
The Seaport’s popular Watermark Bar is in the midst of another seasonal transformation, this time becoming a beach-like oasis complete with palm trees, colorful cocktails, and a live DJ. While sandy beaches and tropical skies are replaced with scenic views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge, the 10,000-square-foot space is inviting guests to enjoy the final in tropical fashion. The venue will serve a signature “Goal Digger Margarita” made with tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur in a custom soccer-ball cup available for guests to take home. There are also several photo opportunities, including a soccer goal framed by international flags. Sunday’s final watch party will be followed by an afterparty from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Tickets start at $27 and can be purchased here.
Sadie’s
19 Fulton Street, South Street Seaport
Sunday, July 19, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Throughout the World Cup, Sadie’s has served as one of the Seaport’s tournament hubs, providing a lively space to cheer on your favorite team. The indoor-outdoor venue is anchored by its 200-seat Garden Bar, featuring an 18-foot LED screen showing every match of the tournament, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sunday’s watch party will feature activations by NÜTRL and Patrón, including giveaways, a live DJ, limited-edition merchandise, and more.
El Museo del Barrio
1230 5th Avenue, East Harlem
East Harlem’s cultural institution, El Museo del Barrio, is hosting a free World Cup final watch party, inviting the community to come together for a celebratory gathering. Participants are encouraged to wear their team’s colors for an exciting afternoon filled with hands-on arts activities, a live DJ, and more. RSVP for the event here.
Backyard at Hudson Yards has been a go-to spot for free watch parties all World Cup long. The outdoor plaza next to Vessel has a 30-foot screen and a FIFA merch store inside the Hudson Yards shopping mall. Hudson Yards will be playing both the third-place match on Saturday and the final on Sunday.
Queens
Pig Beach BBQ
35-37 36th Street, Astoria
Over the past few months, Astoria’s Pig Beach BBQ has emerged as one of Queens’ top watch party destinations, hosting fans for events ranging from the Knicks’ NBA Finals run to the FIFA World Cup. Now, with demand continuing to grow, the massive indoor and outdoor space has expanded with a new second-floor, 2,500-square-foot private “Soccer Suite” dedicated to screening the tournament.
Delivering a stadium-style viewing experience, the suite accommodates up to 150 guests with elevated seating, premium views of the game, and outdoor terrace access overlooking the backyard beer garden and Jumbotron. The space also features eight additional TVs and air conditioning, ensuring guests can enjoy the action in comfort without missing a moment.
Though the suite provides an elevated viewing experience, Pig Beach’s regular space below is nothing to scoff at, spanning 28,000 square feet with a 28-foot Jumbotron, 65 TVs, a sprawling backyard beer garden, and several food and beverage stations and bars where patrons can enjoy the restaurant’s barbecue.
MoMA PS1
22-25 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City
The World Cup final excitement travels to Long Island City’s MoMA PS1 on Sunday, where the museum is hosting a free watch party in collaboration with the LIC Partnership. Guests can sample food and drinks from local LIC vendors in the courtyard before the match kicks off at 3 p.m.
Queens Night Market
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, 47-01 111th Street, Corona
The beloved Queens Night Market in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, just outside the New York Hall of Science, is hosting a free World Cup final watch party on a giant 30-foot LED screen. While you’re there, enjoy affordable food and drinks from the market’s diverse lineup of vendors, reflecting the many cultures and backgrounds that make Queens the world’s borough.
Queens Botanical Garden
43-50 Main Street, Flushing
Flushing’s lush Queens Botanical Garden is screening the final for free on its front lawn, featuring three jumbotrons with scenic oak trees and blooming summer flowers providing a calming backdrop. The event will feature food from local vendors, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. While admission is free, capacity is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP.
Jamaica Performing Arts Center
153-10 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica
Design your own custom buttons and add them to a community art wall at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center as part of a free watch party celebrating the final. The collaborative art installation will be open from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., allowing participants to add handmade crafts and Polaroid photographs captured on-site before settling in for the match at 3 p.m. After the game, guests can take home their personalized keepsakes as a memento of the celebration.
Queens Borough Hall
120-55 Queens Boulevard, Kew Gardens
Queens Borough Hall is hosting a free finals watch party on its front lawn, with the match broadcast on a massive 16-foot-by-9-foot LED screen. Guests can also enjoy free empanadas from Mama’s Empanadas, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair. RSVP is required.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, Dumbo
Brooklyn Bridge Park has been transformed into the adidas Home of Soccer in New York for the duration of the World Cup, turning the waterfront green space into a hub for the sport. Open daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., the destination offers the ultimate fan experience, with live match screenings, a soccer pitch, food vendors, a beer garden, interactive programming, and more, celebrating NYC’s soccer culture. The hub will host a watch party for the final, marking the end of the weeks-long activation that saw Brooklyn Bridge Park become the borough’s soccer capital.
The Bronx
Bronx River Art Center
1087 East Tremont Avenue, Soundview
Attend a free World Cup final watch party at the Bronx River Art Center, featuring family-friendly activities and programming that will create a festive atmosphere. The event will include free face painting for guests of all ages, live music, light refreshments and snacks, and plenty of community spirit. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
For Spain fans
Rioja at Mercado Little Spain
10 Hudson Yards
José Andrés’ Mercado Little Spain is an ideal destination to watch the World Cup final, especially for fans supporting Spain. Rioja, located inside the sprawling Spanish food hall, is hosting a watch party as La Roja looks to cap its historic tournament run and bring home its first World Cup championship since 2010.
Socarrat Paella Bar
Locations in Chelsea, Midtown East, and Nolita
With three Manhattan locations, Socarrat Paella Bar offers plenty of space for Spain fans to catch the final. Known for its signature Spanish dish, the restaurant will show the match at all three locations, with only its dinner menu available to order. Reservations are open now, with a $50 minimum per guest.
Tomiño Taberna Gallega
192 Grand Street, Soho
At Nolita’s Tomiño, Spain fans can enjoy authentic Galician fare in a lively gameday atmosphere. The Michelin Bib Gourmand tavern highlights the seafood-focused cuisine of northwestern Spain, along with handcrafted cocktails and other specialty dishes to enjoy while watching the final.
Despaña NYC
408 Broome Street, Soho
Soho’s Despaña is throwing the ultimate Spain watch party, complete with authentic tapas and cold Spanish beer to toast the team. The specialty Spanish food purveyor will offer communal table seating, along with standing room in front of a large TV at the front of the store so even more guests can catch the match. Tickets cost $35 per person, plus tax, and include five tapas and one beer.
For Argentina fans
Raices Argentinas Steakhouse
667 5th Avenue, Park Slope
Argentina fans looking for a thrilling gameday experience should head to Park Slope’s Raices Argentinas Steakhouse. The restaurant offers the perfect setting for supporters hoping to watch the defending champions add another title to the country’s long list of soccer accolades. Guests can also enjoy authentic Argentinian fare and ice-cold beverages throughout the match.
Boca Juniors
81-08 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst
The soccer-themed Boca Juniors restaurant in Elmhurst is already a hub for the sport, so Argentina’s final appearance is sure to make for an unforgettable atmosphere. Patrons can enjoy Argentinian favorites, from fire-grilled steaks to handmade empanadas, while cheering on the blue and white in its matchup against Spain.
Klan Destino
74-17 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village
Klan Destino in Middle Village brings together authentic Argentinian fare and a lively cultural atmosphere, making it a great destination for Queens residents and Argentina fans watching Sunday’s final. The restaurant is known for its live music, cocktails, and Argentinian steaks, offering a welcoming game-day experience.
Estancia 460
460 Greenwich Street, Tribeca
This year’s tournament marks the sixth World Cup that Tribeca’s Estancia 460 has seen in its 36 years of business, and the Argentinian restaurant is hoping to celebrate another championship after the team’s 2022 victory. The restaurant, which highlights the Italian and Spanish culinary influences on Argentinian cuisine, is inviting guests to watch the match with craft cocktails, delicious food, and an energetic atmosphere.
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