New York announces free World Cup Final watch party in Central Park for 50,000 fans
Global Citizen Festival in 2014. Photo by Anthony Quintano on Wikimedia Commons
One of the largest FIFA World Cup 2026 Final watch parties in the world will take place in Central Park. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday announced that a watch party for 50,000 people will be held on the famous Great Lawn on July 19. The event, which will include giant LED screens, food vendors, and live performances, will be free to attend, but tickets are required.
The Central Park watch party will be hosted in partnership with Global Citizen, which organizes the musical festival that takes place annually on the Great Lawn.
According to the governor, the watch party is being funded with $6 million from the Empire State Development and $3.5 million from New York City. Hosted by media partner iHeartRadio, the event will be emceed by Charlamagne Tha God and Elvis Duran. Doors will open at noon on July 19 ahead of the Final match at 3 p.m.
Those interested in attending should register here. The lottery opens Thursday, June 11, at 10 a.m. and closes July 16. Lottery winners will be notified on a rolling basis.
According to officials, 20 percent of tickets will be reserved for youth soccer groups, local nonprofit organizations, and NYC service volunteers.
The Central Park event is one of several free or discounted events hosted in the city for the World Cup, including free official watch parties in every borough, the $26 for 2026 program, and $50 tickets for 1,000 New Yorkers.
“You shouldn’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to be part of the World Cup. Under our administration, you won’t have to,” Mamdani said in a statement. “From a free watch party for 50,000 New Yorkers on the Great Lawn to fan festivals in every borough and investments that help small businesses share in the benefits of this tournament, we’re making sure the World Cup belongs to the people who make this city what it is.”
The mayor added: “This is a once-in-a-generation event, and working-class New Yorkers deserve to experience it, celebrate it, and benefit from it.”
Also on Monday, the mayor, governor, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, NYNJ Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans, and Central Park Conservancy CEO Betsy Smith opened the “FIFA Arena,” a temporary mini soccer pitch in the park. Open throughout the six-week tournament, the pitch will offer free clinics, tournaments, and open-play opportunities.
“The FIFA World Cup Final will be one of the most watched sporting events in the world, and we’re thrilled that 50,000 people will be able to experience it together in the heart of New York City, free of charge,” Lasry said.
“This watch party creates an opportunity for residents and visitors to be part of a truly historic moment, regardless of whether they have a ticket to the match itself. Combined with the opening of FIFA Arena, we’re creating free, accessible ways for people to come together, celebrate the game, and be part of the excitement of the tournament throughout the summer.”
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