From stadiums to city spaces: New York’s World Cup plan

New York City is preparing for the World Cup by transforming public spaces and major venues into fan zones across all five boroughs.

Officials say the initiative is designed to give residents and visitors access to the tournament without the high cost of match tickets.

The largest fan zone will be located in Queens at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, typically home to the U.S. Open, and is expected to host up to 10,000 fans at a time.

Additional locations are planned in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island, with events spread across several weeks throughout the tournament.

The fan zones will feature live match screenings, along with food vendors, cultural programming and community events. Organisers say more activities will be announced in the lead-up to the tournament.

The move comes amid growing concerns that rising ticket prices could limit access for many fans. By offering free viewing spaces, officials aim to make the event more accessible to a broader audience.

The New York-New Jersey region is expected to attract more than one million visitors, with significant economic impact projected during the tournament period.