New York City Mayor Mamdani is set to announce a new initiative, “Soccer Streets,” which will transform more than four dozen car-free school streets into vibrant soccer fun zones for youth in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The announcement, scheduled for Monday in The Bronx, marks a significant step in the city’s efforts to make the global tournament accessible to all New Yorkers, particularly young people.
The “Soccer Streets” program will feature 50 “pop-up activations” spearheaded by Street Lab, a partner already involved in several existing school streets. These activations are designed to engage students with a variety of World Cup-related activities, including soccer drills, casual play, and art creation.
While the initiative will encompass 50 locations, the activations will be roving, ensuring different communities benefit throughout the program’s duration.
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The activations are slated to begin on May 1 and run until June 26, coinciding with the last day of public schools. Some of these car-free blocks will be new additions to the city’s existing Open Streets program, which currently includes approximately 68 school streets, though not all operate daily.
Bringing the game to neighborhoods
Mayor Mamdani emphasized the initiative’s goal of fostering widespread participation and joy. “We want every kid in this city to experience the joy of the game,” Mayor Mamdani stated. “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.”
Leslie Davol, Executive Director of Street Lab, highlighted the broader community benefits of such programs. “Open Streets for Schools hold a special promise for the future of the city,” Davol commented.
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“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.”
A citywide celebration
This initiative is part of a larger strategy by the Mamdani administration to create a comprehensive series of events leading up to and during the FIFA World Cup 2026. The city is set to host eight World Cup games spread from June 13 through July 19.
In addition to “Soccer Streets,” the Mayor’s office previously announced five official fan zones, one for each borough, on April 27, 2026, which will offer live match viewings, cultural programming, and interactive experiences, according to the NYC Mayor’s Office.
These free fan events are anticipated to be among the largest in the country.
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However, the administration has curtailed watch parties on other existing open streets following “feedback” from the NYPD. Schools with car-free space under the Open Streets program are encouraged to contact Street Lab to get involved with the “Soccer Streets” initiative, ensuring more communities can participate in the World Cup festivities.
Sources: nyc.streetsblog.org
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