Seventh Avenue workers should be prepared to walk, bike or take mass transit to get around the city when the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off next week.
That was the recommendation from New York officials Thursday morning.
The World Cup tournament begins in Mexico City on June 11, with MetLife Stadium in adjacent New Jersey hosting eight matches beginning June 13 and running through the final on July 19.
In a briefing at the MTA Rail Control Center on Thursday morning, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other city officials updated residents and workers on the changes they can expect when 1 million visitors converge on the city for the tournament. Although they stressed that New York is fully prepared for the influx of visitors, there will be a number of significant changes — many impacting the area in and around the Garment District.
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The Garment Industry Alliance said it was not expecting widespread disruptions in the area but was exploring the situation further.
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In the briefing, city officials said full mass transit service will continue to run throughout the region on all match days and during the tournament, with extra subway service planned on several lines from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. to get fans to and from shuttles to the games. In addition, both Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal will run fully scheduled commuter rail services throughout the tournament.
But the hot spot for transit disruptions will be in the heart of Midtown, from 32nd Street to 59th Street. For six hours before local matches start and up to three hours after they end, 42nd Street will be converted into a bus and shuttle corridor from Fifth Avenue to Twelfth Avenue; both Fifth and Sixth avenues between 42nd and 59th streets will dedicate two lanes to buses and shuttles, 40th Street between Eighth and Eleventh avenues and 41st Street between Eighth and Tenth avenues will also be converted into bus and shuttle blocks.
On match days, truck deliveries between 30th and 60th streets from the East to the Hudson rivers will also be restricted. That includes June 13 between noon and 11 p.m., June 16 between 9 a.m and 8 p.m., June 22 between 2 p.m. and 1 a.m., June 25 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., June 27 and 30 between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m., July 5 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. and July 19 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Also, for six hours before and three hours after matches, vehicles will not be permitted on 33rd Street between Sixth and Eighth avenues or 32nd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues to accommodate the fans expecting to line up for trains at Penn Station. Those streets are expected to reopen after each match begins.
Despite the disruptions, officials were confident that New York is up for the challenge. “We have spent months coordinating, drilling and preparing so that when the world arrives at our doorstep, we are ready,” said 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 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.”
The New York City Department of Transportation will deploy more than 100 staffers in Midtown during the tournament to manage traffic operations, coordinate with FIFA and install and remove temporary bus lanes. There will also be volunteers on site at commuter hubs to assist customers.
In addition to those working in the city or attending matches, there are a number of viewing parties slated for the World Cup. A free Fan Zone will be held at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., from June 11 to 27; Hudson Yards and the Intrepid Museum will broadcast all the games on free outdoor screens; Rockefeller Center has turned its iconic skating rink into a FIFA Fan Zone, and the Brooklyn Bridge Park will serve as the Adidas Home of Soccer headquarters with live watch parties planned. Times Square also plans to host public viewing areas as does Bryant Park.