Mayor Mamdani Opens Five Soccer Fields for Overnight Pickup Games During FIFA World Cup 2026™

 

NYC Open Play brings free, all-night pickup soccer to one field in every borough through July 18  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today launched NYC Open Play, a citywide partnership with New York City FC, NYC Footy, NYC Parks and the Hudson River Park Trust to provide free, staffed overnight pickup soccer at one field in every borough throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026™.   

  

Through July 18, New Yorkers ages 18 years and up can play pickup soccer free of charge throughout the night at participating fields across the five boroughs.  

  

“New Yorkers know that some of the best soccer in the world isn’t played at a stadium — it’s played in our parks,” said Mayor Mamdani. “As the World Cup comes to our city, we want every New Yorker to have a chance to pull on a pinnie, get onto the field or root for their fellow New Yorkers. That’s what NYC Open Play is all about: free fields, lights on, goals up and a place for New Yorkers to come together through the world’s game. Whether you’re playing your first match or your thousandth, there’s a place for you.”   

  

Each field will feature up to three 7v7 pickup pitches equipped with cones, goals and soccer balls. NYC Footy staff will be on site throughout the night to organize teams, coordinate games across skill levels and ensure a welcoming experience for all.   

  

New York City FC will support operations and enhance programming at one field each weekend with free clinics, giveaways and community soccer programming led by coaches from City in the Community (CITC), the club’s nonprofit foundation.  

  

StubHub is sponsoring NYC Open Play’s free summer soccer programming.  

  

Participating locations include:  

•   Hudson River Park’s Chelsea Waterside in Manhattan  

•   Astoria Park in Queens  

•   Calvert Vaux Park in Brooklyn  

•   Soundview Park in the Bronx  

•   Fairview Park on Staten Island  

   

Games may begin as early as 10:30 p.m. and continue as late as 8 a.m. Players can sign up individually or as a team and check field-specific schedules at nycopenplay.com. Play will continue during light rain and pause only for severe weather. Each field will be staffed and monitored by security personnel and Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers.  

  

“World Cup fever has taken over NYC, and we’re making sure our parks are part of the excitement,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “Our city’s passion for soccer knows no bounds, and with NYC Open Play, New Yorkers can get outside, stay active with their friends and celebrate the beautiful game all night long with fun pickup games, all for free.”  

  

“Soccer has the power to bring people together, and making the game more accessible to New Yorkers has always been at the heart of New York City FC’s mission,” said Jennifer O’Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer of New York City FC. “For more than a decade, we have worked to create more opportunities for communities across the five boroughs to experience that joy and have more places to play. We are honored to partner with Mayor Mamdani, NYC Parks, the Hudson River Park Trust and NYC Footy to bring this initiative to life during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and help New Yorkers connect, play and celebrate the world’s game together.”  

  

“The joy of the World Cup shouldn’t be confined to the stadiums — it belongs on soccer fields across our city. Access to free and well-lit play spaces like soccer fields don’t just keep young people safe, they allow them to meet new friends, get fresh air and exercise and build critical life skills,” said Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Renita Francois. “NYC Open Play is one of many efforts our City government is taking to show young New Yorkers that safety and fun belong together this summer.”