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 World Cup has ignited New York like never before, and we wanted to meet that energy with something real," said Tarek Pertew, co-founder and CEO of The Footy League. "The NYC Open Play Initiative is simple: free fields, open to everyone, around the clock. This is the city that never sleeps, neither should the beautiful game."
"Hudson River Park is proud to be part of Mayor Mamdani's NYC Open Play initiative, and we look forward to welcoming players to the Park's Chelsea Waterside field for free overnight pickup games that capture the excitement and global spirit of the FIFA World Cup," said Hudson River Park Trust President & CEO Noreen Doyle. "Hudson River Park's fields build community among kids and adults year-round, but this season in New York City is going to be extra special for soccer players and fans. Thank you to Mayor Mamdani, NYC Parks and NYC Footy for bringing this free, one-of-a-kind experience to our city's passionate soccer community."
"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."
"Our North Star at StubHub is increasing access - from making it easier to attend live events to enjoying a pickup game of soccer in your neighborhood during the World Cup," said Becky Blatt, East Coast Cities Lead for StubHub. "We are proud to partner with Mayor Mamdani to make NYC Open Play a reality and bring the Beautiful Game to communities across the five boroughs."
