Fans gather for a previous “Soccer Sunday” World Cup watch party at Queens Night Market.
Photo via Queens Night Market
Queens Night Market and Queens Borough Hall will host watch parties on Sunday, July 19, for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, which will take place at MetLife Stadium at 3 p.m.
Spain booked its place in the final on Tuesday with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over tournament favorite France in Dallas, with Argentina coming from behind to defeat arch rivals England 2-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta to set up a mouthwatering clash in New Jersey.
It marks the first time that the reigning European and South American champions have faced off in a World Cup final and also marks the first time that Spain and Argentina have met in a competitive game since 1966. Defending champions Argentina will attempt to become the first team since 1962 to win the World Cup back to back, while Lionel Messi will become just the second player to feature in three separate World Cup finals.
With tickets for the World Cup final like gold dust and demand for a watch party in Central Park sky high, there are a number of watch parties taking place across Queens to mark the biggest day in the sporting calendar.
Queens Night Market has been hosting “Soccer Sunday” watch parties throughout the World Cup at the New York Hall of Science, setting up around eight stalls to provide culturally appropriate food offerings. The free event is open to up to 5,000 people, but guests will be required to RSVP in advance due to high demand.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards will also hold a watch party for Sunday’s final, with a free screening set to take place at Queens Borough Hall in partnership with NYC Tourism + Conventions. The watch party will also feature activations and international food offerings thanks to a partnership with Street Vendor Project.
MoMA PS1 will also hold a free watch for Sunday’s final, with local restaurants such as Jora, Little Chef Little Café and Soothr providing local dishes. The free event is at capacity, according to NYC Tourism + Conventions.
Queens Night Market will also host a watch party for the 3rd/4th place play-off between England and France on Saturday night.
NYSCI President and CEO Lisa Gugenheim said the weekly Soccer Sundays aimed to welcome “all World Cup fans” to the outdoor space in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Funding for the weekly watch parties was made available through Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and NYC Tourism + Conventions, who allocated $75,000 in funding for a number of watch parties across the borough.
We’re very proud of our diversity, and what more amplifies that message than ensuring that the world’s sport can be seen in every corner of this borough, the world’s borough,” Richards said at the launch of the events in June.