BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) — On Friday, April 3, Gov. Hochul announced 12 community-based projects across seven regions of New York State were selected as awardees through the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program.
Binghamton will receive $25,000 in funding that will promote events relating to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Gov. Hochul.
“[The funding] will go to support three community watch party events for Team USA games. More details to come.” said Deputy Mayor of Binghamton Megan Heiman.
More than $371,000 in grants will go towards events that are designed to bring residents and visitors together while driving economic activity and increasing visitation to local businesses.
Hochul explained that Empire State Development, New York’s chief economic development agency, received applications in January 2026 from organizations across multiple Regional Economic Development Council regions.
The following awardees will receive funding:
In the Capital Region, Discover Albany will gain $29,825 and Downtown Troy Business Improvement District will gain $70,000.In Central New York, Visit Syracuse will gain $25,000In the Finger Lakes, Visit Rochester in the East and Alex Entertainment District will gain $24,875 and Visit Rochester in High Falls will gain $22,000.In the Southern Tier, City of Binghamton will gain $25,000.In Mohawk Valley, City of Amsterdam will gain $12,125.In North Country, The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism in Southern Essex will gain $7,500 and Potsdam Chamber of Commerce will gain $20,000.In Western New York, City of Buffalo will gain $60,000, Visit Buffalo will gain $70,000 and Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI) will gain $5,000.
The Community World Cup Grant Program provides funding to local governments, nonprofit organizations and community partners to host public watch parties and related programing.
The program was made to drive tourism, increase visitation to local businesses and ensure communities across the state can participate in the global tournament.
“New York is proud to play a major role in hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and we want communities across the state to share in the excitement and the economic benefits this global event will bring,” Gov. Hochul said. “These grants will help cities, villages and local organizations host events that bring people together, support small businesses and ensure that New Yorkers in every region can take part in the celebration.”
To read more about the program funding, please visit the New York State website or by clicking here.
For details about 2026 FIFA World Cup viewing events, go to ILoveNY’s website.
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