Gov. Kathy Hochul joined local elected officials, community representatives and soccer fans to cut the ribbon at the official NYNJ World Cup Group Stage HQ at the National Tennis Center in Corona Thursday afternoon.
Hochul joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Assemblymember Larinda Hooks, State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry and Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s World Cup Czar Maya Handa for the event, which took place hours before Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in Mexico City – a repeat of the 2010 opener in South Africa.
Hochul speaks ahead of Thursday’s ribbon-cutting. Photo by Shane O’Brien.
Around 1,000 soccer fans – predominantly from Mexico – were in line for the fan fest two hours before kick off at 3 p.m., braving oppressive heat to get into the newly-opened fan fest.
The official free watch party will take place at Louis Armstrong Stadium, showcasing every group game of the World Cup between June 11 and June 27.
The venue will also feature special performances from Wycleaf Jean and Busta Rhymes, which will not be free and require special tickets. Nas will also play at the venue at 6 p.m. on June 12, just before the USA opens its World Cup campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles at 9 p.m.
Any fans wishing to experience any World Cup games at the National Tennis Center are advised to book free tickets in advance.
The NYNJ Host Committee has transformed Louis Armstrong Stadium for the next three weeks, replacing the iconic stadium’s central tennis court with a turf field and a giant screen. The turf field also features a number of couches and armchairs for a VIP experience.
Surrounding the stadium within the USTA complex are a number of fan activations, hosted by New York City FC, Telemundo and a number of official partners.
Hochul said the free fan experience, combined with other free fan festivals across the city, provides an alternative to the sky-high prices for World Cup tickets at MetLife Stadium, while also allowing fans to enjoy the games with their compatriots.
Photo by Shane O’Brien.
“We know exactly how hard it is for families to put together the money they would need for a ticket, but cheering for the team you love shouldn’t happen alone in your living room,” Hochul said. “Our whole community has to come together and celebrate.”
Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee, described the opening of the Queens fan festival as a “big day” that has been two years in the making. Lasry added that the free point of entry was central to the Queens fan event and all other fan festivals across the city. The NYNJ Host Committee had initially proposed a $10 entry fee for events at Louis Armstrong Stadium, with Mamdani and Hochul later stumping up $20 million in funding to ensure free access across the city.
Handa, meanwhile, described the Queens fan fest as “incredible” and pointed to a number of other citywide initiatives to enhance the World Cup experience in New York this summer, including $26 food and beverage specials at over 500 restaurants and bars and a World Cup passport encouraging visitors to explore cultural sites across the five boroughs.
“[The Mayor] has asked us all to step up and celebrate, and make this World Cup affordable, accessible and joyous,” Handa said.
Photo by Shane O’Brien.
Danny Zausner, chief operating officer of the National Tennis Center, said the NYNJ Host Committee and LiveNation approached the USTA around two years ago to start the process of converting Louis Armstrong Stadium into an official fan fest and forecasted a “really special” three-week party at the venue.
Richards, meanwhile, echoed Hochul and said the fan festivals would provide a viable free alternative to World Cup ticket prices, providing an authentic atmosphere throughout the group stages.
“Whether you’re in Corona rooting for Colombia, or in Long Island City rooting for Team USA, you have a place here in the fan zones, but even if you’re not a die-hard football fan, we’re going to have food, celebrity matches and even concerts,” Richards said.