The FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off on Thursday, June 11, in Mexico City, with the first New York/New Jersey-area match taking place on Saturday, June 13, at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium). Throughout the tournament, which runs through Sunday, July 19, Lincoln Square and New York City will be celebrating with special events, watch parties, shopping, dining promotions, family-friendly activities, and public activations. Whether you’re looking to catch a match over food and drinks, take advantage of World Cup specials, cheer alongside fellow fans at a watch party, shop for official merchandise, or take part in tournament-themed events, there are countless ways to join the excitement.
Where to Eat, Drink & Watch
Lincoln Ristorante (142 West 65th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway) is offering World Cup Watch Party Experiences with all-inclusive game-day packages featuring Italian cuisine, beer, and wine overlooking Lincoln Center’s iconic plaza and reflecting pool.
Rosa Mexicano (44 West 63rd Street between Columbus Avenue and Broadway) has added additional televisions and World Cup decorations for the tournament, creating a festive atmosphere for fans following the action in its brand-new flagship home. The restaurant will be screening every single match at the bar throughout the tournament, from Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, July 19. To celebrate, they are offering exclusive Match Day Specials available only at the bar during game times. Featured items include the Viva México Margarita alongside select Match Day Bites: Rosa’s Spiced Wings, Mini Quesadillas, and the Mexican Smashburger. Private watch parties are also available for larger groups looking to gather and catch the tournament action together.
Fans can also raise a glass at Cafe Fiorello (1900 Broadway between West 63rd and West 64th Streets), which has introduced a special World Cup cocktail made with strawberry-infused gin, fresh lemonade, cucumber, and mint.
Le French Wine Shop (161 Amsterdam Avenue at West 67th Street) is celebrating the tournament with a specially curated World Cup 3-Pack. Regularly $64.99, this limited-edition trio of French wines—featuring a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc, a refreshing summer rosé, and an approachable, light-bodied red—is on sale for just $39.99. Stop by to stock up on this limited-time offer for your match-day gatherings!
Several Lincoln Square businesses are participating in the Five Borough Winners Special, a citywide World Cup promotion featuring special $26 food and beverage offers throughout the tournament. Participating locations include:
- The Smith (1900 Broadway at West 63rd Street): Offering its Corner Kick Burger + Bubbles special—a limited-time burger and a glass of bubbly served in a collectible cup for $26, available exclusively at the bar while supplies last.
- The Empire Rooftop (44 West 63rd Street between Columbus Avenue and Broadway): Featuring a FIFA World Cup 2026 Edition Don Julio 1942 (50ml bottle) for $26, served neat or on the rocks, as part of its World Cup menu. The menu also includes “Match of the Day” cocktails inspired by competing countries, alongside a food lineup of hot dog platters, truffled popcorn, jumbo pretzels, and jalapeño poppers to enjoy while matches are screened live on the rooftop throughout the tournament.
- Il Violino (180 Columbus Avenue at West 68th Street): Offering a $26 prix-fixe lunch and a limited-edition souvenir cup.
Watch Parties & Match Screenings
On Saturday, June 13, at 6:00pm, Jazz at Lincoln Center (Broadway at West 60th Street) will host a complimentary World Cup watch party in the Ertegun Atrium, where fans can watch Brazil vs. Morocco before the evening’s Sounds of Brazil performance as part of the Mother Africa season. The watch party is free and open to the public. Tickets are required for the concert.
The New York Public Library is also hosting free community screenings across the city as part of its Watch the World Cup initiative. Locally, the Riverside Library (127 Amsterdam Avenue between West 65th and West 66th Streets) will host a series of neighborhood watch parties. On Saturday, June 13, at 3:00pm, the library will live-stream the Qatar vs. Switzerland match, with space limited to 20 child participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can head back on Monday, June 15, at 3:00pm for an all-ages screening of the Belgium vs. Egypt match, with a capacity limit of 35 people. Later in the tournament, the library will host another special watch party for a Semi-Final match on Wednesday, July 15, at 3:00pm, which will also be capped at 20 child participants.
Beginning with the quarterfinal matches on Thursday, July 9, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (Lincoln Center Plaza, Broadway between West 62nd and West 65th Streets) will host World Cup watch experiences through the Final on Sunday, July 19.
On Sunday, July 19, 50,000 fans can head to Central Park’s Great Lawn (Mid-Park between 79th and 85th Street) for a free public screening of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final. Doors open at 12:00pm, and the event will feature live entertainment, food and beverage offerings, interactive activities, and a large-screen viewing experience for one of the biggest matches in sports. While tickets are free, they are required to enter—click here to join the Global Citizen lottery for a chance to attend.
World Cup Events
Lincoln Center (Lincoln Center Plaza, Broadway between West 62nd and West 65th Streets) is getting into the World Cup spirit with World at Play, a Summer for the City series celebrating soccer and the arts. Programming includes World Club DJ nights curated by DJ Bill Coleman, freestyle soccer performances, family-friendly workshops, international food offerings, and Penalty Flicks, a series of free soccer-themed film screenings co-presented by Film at Lincoln Center at Hearst Plaza.
Families can join the fun at Color Me Mine Upper West Side (177 Amsterdam Avenue at West 68th Street) on Saturday, June 13, from 10:00am to 11:30am during Paint Your Team Colors, where participants can decorate ceramic jerseys, soccer ball mugs, banks, and more inspired by their favorite teams. A studio fee and pottery purchase are required.
Just north of the district, the American Museum of Natural History (200 Central Park West between West 77th and West 81st Streets) is launching its summer-long World Cup, World Cultures series. Kickstarting with an all-day festival on Saturday, June 13 from 11:00am to 8:00pm, the museum will host a lineup of live tournament watch parties on big screens alongside cultural performances and sports science labs. Visitors throughout the summer can also check out Goal Zone, an interactive soccer play space, and For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence, a new exhibition highlighting 70 historic artifacts of athletic greatness. Activities are free with general museum admission.
On Saturday, June 27, from 10:30am to 12:00pm, the Museum of Arts and Design (2 Columbus Circle) will host Family Studio: Make Your Sports Trading Cards, a hands-on workshop for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers inspired by sports, teamwork, and creativity. Advanced registration is required for all. Tickets for adults are required and include Museum admission. During the tournament, visitors to the museum can also receive 20% off admission using the promo code WORLDCUP.
Shop the Tournament
One of the only Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Merchandise Stores in New York City is now open at The Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle) through Monday, July 20. Located on the Ground Floor, the store offers official apparel, accessories, memorabilia, photo opportunities, and more.
Several retailers at The Shops are also celebrating the tournament. Boggi Milano is featuring its FIFA World Cup™ Capsule Collection honoring the eight World Cup-winning nations. BOSS has introduced its Fan Edit Collection featuring soccer-inspired jackets, polos, t-shirts, and caps, while H&M is highlighting Men’s Soccer Essentials for the tournament season.
For even more options, you can also browse Target (1863 Broadway at West 61st Street) for their 2026 FIFA World Cup Merch collection to find essential apparel and fan gear for the whole family.
World Cup Activations
The Shops at Columbus Circle is home to a pair of unique World Cup activations this summer. Visitors can stop by to check out the official 100-Day Countdown Clock presented by the NYNJ Host Committee, which tracks the tournament timeline and will reset post-kickoff to count down the path to the Final on Sunday, July 19. At the 59th Street entrance, The Art of the Game installation features a monumental custom soccer ball sculpture designed by artist Tomokazu Matsuyama as part of a citywide public art trail.
Just east of Lincoln Square, Central Park FIFA Arena has transformed the area near West 67th Street in Central Park—located directly in the lot behind Tavern on the Green—into a temporary mini soccer pitch. Open from Wednesday, June 10, through Saturday, July 18, the space offers open play, youth programming, community leagues, and more for New Yorkers of all ages.
From watch parties and special dining offers to public art installations and family-friendly activities, Lincoln Square is ready to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026™. We hope you’ll join us throughout the tournament and experience the excitement right here in the neighborhood.
For even more World Cup events, watch parties, activations, and special offers throughout New York City, visit NYC Tourism’s World Cup Events & Offers Guide. For transportation information, regional events, fan experiences, and other tournament-related updates throughout the New York/New Jersey region, visit the New York New Jersey Host Committee website.
Photo Credit:
Image 1 – Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts of Freestyle Soccer Show
Image 2 – Cafe Fiorello
Image 3 – Global Citizen
Image 4 – Color Me Mine UWS
Image 5 – Boggi Milano
Image 6 – The Shops at Columbus Circle
