City and state agencies working hand in hand to keep city moving safely during the World Cup
New Yorkers and visitors urged to text SUMMER26 to 692-692 to receive emergency alerts and updates on summer events
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul today outlined sweeping multiagency plans to keep New Yorkers and visitors safe, informed and moving throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Today’s briefing focused on transportation, infrastructure
“We have spent months coordinating, drilling and preparing so that when the world arrives at our doorstep, we are ready,” said Mayor Mamdani. “From the first kickoff to the final whistle and long after, our job is clear: keep residents and visiting fans safe, informed and supported during every moment of this busy summer.”
“New York’s transit system safely and reliably moves millions every day, and we are ready to shine on the world stage,” said Governor Hochul. “The World Cup will be a once-in-a-generation event for our state, and whether you’re traveling from Brazil or Bed-Stuy, we have a plan to get you to where you need to go safely.”
“After months of planning, we are adding trains wherever fans are going to watch matches while helping to keep them safe,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Moving millions is what we do, and not just when the World Cup is in town.”
“With kickoff just days away, our region is ready to welcome the world. This level of preparation doesn't happen overnight — it is the result of years of collaboration among transportation agencies, public safety officials and government partners across New York and New Jersey,” said NYNJ Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul, Mayor Mamdani, the MTA and countless partners, fans will have safe and reliable ways to travel throughout the tournament while residents continue to move around the region. We are grateful for their partnership and shared commitment to delivering an unforgettable World Cup this summer.”
Interagency Transportation Planning
The City and State are coordinating with the NYNJ Host Committee, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), NJ TRANSIT and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to direct World Cup-related traffic through designated Midtown Manhattan corridors, helping fans travel to and from matches while minimizing disruptions for New Yorkers.
On match days, dedicated travel corridors will operate along 42nd Street and portions of Fifth and Sixth avenues and 40th and 41st streets. Beginning six hours before kickoff and ending three hours after the final whistle, access will be limited to NYNJ Stadium shuttles, MTA local buses, official World Cup vehicles and emergency response vehicles.
The City will also designate each match day a “Gridlock Alert Day” to discourage unnecessary driving, work with businesses to limit truck deliveries in Midtown during peak travel periods and encourage both residents and visitors to use public transportation.
NYC DOT will deploy more than 100 staff members throughout Midtown to manage traffic operations. Personnel will coordinate transportation logistics with FIFA, inspect routes, install and remove temporary bus lanes, adjust signal timing in real time and provide travel guidance to the public, drivers, the trucking industry and local businesses.
Full details on match day bus lanes, street closures and travel guidance can be found in the Mayor’s Midtown Transportation Plan.
Additional MTA Service
The MTA plans to run full service throughout the region on all match days and throughout the tournament to support visitors to the region and the millions of New Yorkers who rely on mass transit to get around every single day.
The MTA will run extra subway service on match days and fully scheduled commuter rail service at both Penn Station and Grand Central on both its railroads to ensure that the region continues to move.
The New York City Subway has prepared additional service to meet demand on match days and for major events during the tournament. To get fans to and from shuttle buses and trains to the games, extra local service will be added on the 1, C and F lines. 1 and C frequencies will be increased all day on weekend match days between 10 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. In addition, 1, C and F train service will be increased for post-match travel to help move fans returning from matches.
To improve access to the free Fan Zone at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, the MTA will run additional 7 train service on Mets game days where crowding is greatest. This added service will reduce crowding and improve customer wait times.
To ensure smooth travel, the MTA has suspended all planned subway work in and around Midtown Manhattan on match days.
For fans traveling to matches via Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, both railroads will provide connections to nearby shuttle bus service near Grand Central and trains to the game at Penn Station. Both LIRR and Metro-North have ample weekend capacity to meet the expected demand on match days.
To aid travelers, the MTA will deploy customer ambassadors at major shuttle bus hubs, including Grand Central, Times Square-42 Street and 59 Street Columbus Circle, to help guide travelers to the street level where they can connect to the stadium-bound bus service.
For commuter rail travelers there will be extra LIRR, MTA Police Department, New York City Transit staff and MTA volunteers on site to support with wayfinding and customer assistance to navigate the station and provide directions to connecting rail service for the matches.
Emergency Preparedness
NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) has activated a unified citywide coordination structure — including the City’s Emergency Operations Center — that will expand as the tournament approaches and in response to severe weather events such as extreme heat and flash flooding.
Built on the same Citywide Incident Management System used for hurricanes, blackouts, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square, the framework brings together hundreds of City, State, federal and private-sector partners under shared objectives.
Working groups are focused on public safety, health and medical services, transportation, infrastructure, events, human services, community engagement and regional coordination.
NYCEM is also operating a Joint Information Center to ensure New Yorkers and visitors receive clear, accurate and multilingual information before, during and after any incident.
The City’s public information strategy is anchored by Notify NYC. This week, NYCEM launched a dedicated summer 2026 opt-in text service, allowing New Yorkers and visitors to receive real-time emergency notifications during major events taking place throughout the city.
New Yorkers and visitors can text SUMMER26, SUMMER26ESP or SUMMER26FRE to 692-692 to receive alerts and updates in English, Spanish and French.
Updates are also available through the Notify NYC WhatsApp Channel at on.nyc.gov/NNYCWhatsApp.
Health and Medical Preparedness
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and NYC Health + Hospitals have spent the past year conducting tabletop exercises and multiagency drills — including a weeklong simulation involving medical demand exceeding capacity — to strengthen preparedness across the city’s health care system.
Both agencies have activated the Incident Command System to enhance coordination with NYCEM, FDNY and health care partners. They are collaborating on disease surveillance efforts to rapidly detect and respond to infectious disease threats.
NYC Health + Hospitals has established a Special Pathogen Response Team for high-consequence incidents, while its Office of Biopreparedness and Emergency Management has led operational planning efforts to strengthen readiness and train staff on best practices.
Eleven NYC Health + Hospitals acute-care facilities are prepared to serve as cooling centers during Code Red heat emergencies, and the system will intensify outreach during periods of extreme heat.
As the City’s primary safety-net provider for heat-related illnesses and respiratory emergencies, including wildfire smoke events, NYC Health + Hospitals will play a central role in the City’s summer response efforts.
FDNY is deploying specialized units throughout the city to strengthen hazard detection and emergency response capabilities.
To prepare for increased medical call volume associated with large crowds and extreme heat, EMS has requested mutual aid support from New York State and will deploy additional field tours for full-duty EMTs, paramedics and officers.
The NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will increase cleaning operations around transit hubs and public event locations throughout the World Cup.
“For years, the City has convened partners across all levels of government to ready us for this summer,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “We have the plans in place to ensure New Yorkers and visitors alike can move about our city safely, efficiently and reliably. With the World Cup and so many other events right around the corner, we are ready to welcome the world to New York City.”
“As thousands of fans flock to New York City for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, protecting the health and safety of everyone in the five boroughs, both visitors and residents alike, is this administration’s top priority,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “Alongside our agency partners — in particular, DOHMH and H+H — the Mamdani Administration strengthened its healthcare systems, disease surveillance and emergency response units to prepare for the surge of visitors, and after months of careful planning, the City is more than ready to address any issue and keep New Yorkers safe.”
“The World Cup is here, and New York City is ready to celebrate the beauty of the people’s game. Enjoy the matches, find a watch party near you and, if you’re planning to visit Manhattan on local match days, take transit to avoid delays,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We have worked across agencies to develop a transportation plan that moves fans quickly and efficiently to and from matches while minimizing disruptions for New Yorkers across the City.”
“New York City is thrilled to welcome visitors from all over the country and the world, to enjoy ‘the beautiful game’ and all the festivities that go along with the biggest sporting event on the globe,” said NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell. “Over the last year, New York City Emergency Management has worked side by side with our local, state, federal and private partners to coordinate staff and resources to support all the events. We want soccer fans and visitors to the Big Apple to enjoy our annual summer events, and all that NYC has to offer.”
“The FDNY has been preparing for this historic summer for more than a year,” said FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. “Our members have been working closely with our public and private partners to make sure we have the resources, staffing and operational plans needed to respond to whatever comes our way. The FDNY is ready to meet the demands of this event while continuing to protect New Yorkers every day.”
“The entire world is coming together for this tournament, and the entirety of New York City and State governments will come together to make it a success,” said DSNY Commissioner Gregory Anderson. “From cleaning before and after watch parties to blockades that protect celebrations, New York’s Strongest will be visible at every part of the World Cup, and we remind everyone visiting our City of what all New Yorkers already know – littering can earn you a red card.”
“Many World Cup visitors will want to experience a ride in an iconic New York City taxicab, and we encourage that when hopping around within the city,” said NYC Taxi & Limousine Commissioner Midori Valdiva. “Our taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers are safe, professional and among the city’s most knowledgeable ambassadors. TLC Police and their enforcement partners will be prominent at the airports and other high-traffic locations to help ensure that trips are going to TLC drivers and not unlicensed hustlers. Anyone offering visitors a ride, attempting to negotiate a price or refusing to engage the meter is engaging in illegal conduct and anyone who experiences overcharging or illegal conduct should report it through 311.”
“From monitoring for infectious diseases to safeguarding mental health, the NYC Health Department has been preparing for over a year to ensure we are ready for the World Cup,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “Like a world-class goalie, our job is to anticipate challenges, block threats, and defend the health of our city. Through rigorous planning and teamwork with our partner agencies, we’re ready to protect New Yorkers so they can focus on enjoying the games. The only thing we can’t save is a penalty kick in the knockout stage.”
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