Mayor Mamdani's 'Soccer Streets' series will travel to 50 schools across the five boroughs, turning car-free blocks into day-long soccer pitches, block parties and community celebrations leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today launched "Soccer Streets," a traveling series of field days visiting 50 public schools across the five boroughs ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At each stop, car-free streets outside schools will be transformed into soccer pitches, art stations and block-party celebrations. The activations began May 1 and will continue school to school through the last day of school on June 26.
As part of Soccer Streets, students will play pickup matches, run drills, paint team flags and celebrate the world’s biggest sporting event coming to New York City this summer.
“The World Cup is coming to New York City, and we want every kid in this city to experience the joy of the game,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Soccer Streets takes that energy directly into our neighborhoods — closing streets to cars, opening them to play and making sure this celebration isn't reserved for people who can afford a ticket. Open Streets is one of the best tools we have to reclaim public space for the public and these activations are another step toward bringing the World Cup to our city’s young people.”
“For so many schools, the street outside their door is the only outdoor space they have. Soccer Streets shows what's possible when we give that space back to kids — for play, for learning, for community,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We're thrilled to partner on this celebration, and we want every school in the city to know the door is open to join Open Streets year-round.”
“Outdoor play and physical activity are essential to the whole child,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “Initiatives like this remind us that the street right outside a school door can be just as powerful a learning environment as the classrooms inside it. I’m grateful to all partners who had a hand in making this possible and can’t wait for our students to have this experience.”
“Growing up I loved soccer. It was more than just a game. I learned it has the power to unify all of us, create belonging, and teach skills that go far beyond the field,” said Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder and CEO of Chobani. “From supporting the U.S. National Team to youth clubs across the country, we’ve seen that when you feed people’s dreams they grow. Teaming up with Mayor Mamdani to bring that spirit to neighborhoods across New York City feels truly magical. Seeing streets filled with kids playing, families cheering, and communities connecting through this beautiful game—that’s what makes soccer so special. Especially ahead of the World Cup, there’s no better way to celebrate.”
“The World Cup is about more than the games in the stadium. It’s about sparking the joy of the game in young people and bringing communities together around this historic celebration,” said World Cup Czar Maya Handa. “Every borough will participate and every neighborhood should benefit from the World Cup coming to our city.”
“Open Streets for Schools hold a special promise for the future of the city,” said Leslie Davol, Executive Director of Street Lab. “We’re seeing students, families, teachers, and neighbors, working side-by-side to transform streets into places to gather, bringing learning from out behind the walls, and inspiring the whole community. It’s a grassroots movement, rising from the ground up and from the boroughs in. We’re excited to be working with this administration to help bring this new vision of NYC streets to life.”
The City is partnering with the nonprofit Street Lab and Chobani to bring Soccer Streets to schools across the five boroughs.
Schools interested in participating can contact Street Lab to learn more and get involved. Soccer Streets is a part of NYC DOT's Open Streets for Schools program, which allows schools to close an adjacent street to traffic for recess, outdoor learning and safer pickup and drop-off. Several Soccer Streets locations are already Open Streets schools. Applications for the 2026–27 school year are open now and the City is encouraging more schools to join the program.
Soccer Streets builds on Mayor Mamdani’s broader effort to ensure every New Yorker — not just tourists — can participate in and enjoy the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Last month, Mayor Mamdani, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee announced a free, citywide slate of Official NYNJ Fan Events across all five boroughs, including live match viewings, cultural programming, engagements at local businesses and interactive experiences for New Yorkers.
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