The NY/NJ Host Committee and Telemundo announced that Rockefeller Center will serve as Manhattan's fan village for the 2026 FIFA World Cup from July 4 to July 19. This marks the second fan location in the New York City area, following Liberty State Park. The site will feature live match screenings, interactive soccer activities, and tributes to past World Cup champions.
On Thursday morning, the NY/NJ Host Committee and Telemundo, the exclusive Spanish-language broadcaster for World Cup matches in the U.S., revealed plans to transform Rockefeller Center into a vibrant fan village during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The venue will operate from July 4 to July 19, providing fans with screenings of all 104 matches live in Spanish, including commentary on Peacock, NBC Universal's streaming service.
Tammy Murphy, First Lady of New Jersey and board chair of the host committee, highlighted the significance of the location during the announcement. “This national, historic landmark represents exactly the prestige and the tremendous economic impact that the 2026 World Cup will have on our region,” Murphy said. “We will give fans the ideal place to celebrate the world’s game at the heart of Manhattan.”
The ice-skating rink will be converted into a soccer pitch for casual kickabouts between matches. Surrounding it will be viewing stations with lawn chairs, table seating, and steps, overlooked by two massive screens positioned above the Prometheus fountain. Additional features include stalls for games and activities throughout the complex, while the Channel Gardens will be renamed Champions’ Garden to showcase the eight previous World Cup-winning countries and their star players.
Alex Lasry, CEO of the host committee, emphasized the global spotlight on the event. “The World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime, once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Lasry stated. He noted that viewership for the 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina, where Lionel Messi led his team to victory, matched the combined audience of the last 13 Super Bowls. “When you put that into perspective, the eyes of the world are going to be on us when we are hosting this fan village,” Lasry added. “For us to be able to do it right here, in this iconic space, is one that makes us really proud and really excited.”
Claudia Chagui, EVP of Marketing and Creative at Telemundo, described the village's unifying role in a press release: “The Fan Village will connect fans from around the world through the universal language of fútbol, creating a place where we can come together to experience this historic tournament in the heart of New York City.”
This announcement follows the June reveal of Liberty State Park as the official fan festival site across the Hudson River, underscoring the region's preparations for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.