The 2026 World Cup experience in New York is going far beyond the stadium with a massive neighborhood passport initiative

• New York City launched the NYC Neighborhood Passport, a massive initiative that seeks to integrate the five boroughs into the 2026 World Cup celebration.

• Starting June 11, residents and tourists can obtain this free passport at public libraries and selected events to access a wide range of cultural, sporting and recreational activities throughout the metropolis.

• The program driven by the mayor’s office and tourism organizations offers an inclusive alternative to high ticket costs.

The excitement for the 2026 World Cup will not be limited to the stands of grand stadiums. In an unprecedented effort to democratize the football festival, Mayor Zohran Mamdani introduced the NYC Neighborhood Passport. This program aims to ensure the tournament’s energy vibrates through the streets, parks, and cultural centers of New York’s five boroughs. The initiative officially starts on June 11 and focuses primarily on removing economic barriers, allowing anyone to live the World Cup experience regardless of their budget.

With average ticket prices exceeding $2,000, the local government and NYC Tourism + Conventions devised this playful system to decentralize the celebration. “The World Cup comes to MetLife Stadium, but also to Corona, Flatbush, Astoria, and Sunset Park,” the mayor emphasized. He highlighted that the true essence of the event resides in the multicultural communities that define the city.

A record of multicultural identity

The passport is not just a guide to activities; instead, it serves as a collectible piece of art. Each participant can obtain exclusive stamps designed by local artists with roots in countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Iran, among others. Specifically, these designs seek to capture New York’s multicultural footprint and the global passion for football on every page of the document.

Distribution and stamping points include:

• Public library network: All branches across the five boroughs will function as delivery centers.

• Bronx institutions: Locations such as the Bronx Zoo, The Bronx Museum, and the Bronx Children’s Museum are already registered in the program.

• Cultural Spaces: Museums, food fairs and art centers throughout the city will participate actively.

Street football and culture on every corner

The NYC Neighborhood Passport opens the doors to an inexhaustible agenda of free or low-cost events. Among the most notable proposals are “Soccer Streets”, streets closed exclusively for children and young people to play freely, as well as the installation of giant screens in plazas and community centers to watch matches in a festive atmosphere.

In addition to sports, the program encompasses art exhibitions, film screenings and music festivals that celebrate the diversity of the participating nations. To facilitate navigation through this vast offering, authorities have enabled an interactive map and an events calendar on the official NYC Tourism + Conventions portal.

Rewards for community exploration

Participation carries additional rewards. Those who complete their passport with stamps from different neighborhoods can enter raffles and win special prizes. Moreover, participants will have the opportunity to join a national storytelling campaign about the World Cup, sharing their personal experiences on how they lived the tournament within New York’s neighborhoods.