{"id":270465,"date":"2026-06-18T03:37:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T03:37:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/270465\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T03:37:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T03:37:17","slug":"at-bbp-the-fifa-fan-zone-becomes-a-world-cup-village","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/270465\/","title":{"rendered":"At BBP, the FIFA Fan Zone becomes a World Cup Village"},"content":{"rendered":"

DUMBO \u2014 People from around the world wrapped in flags. Children kicking soccer balls. Collectors waving their hands frantically for freebies thrown from the stage. Wild cheering when a team scores a goal. A video screen bigger than your apartment. An enormous shoe.<\/p>\n

The adidas FIFA World Cup<\/a> Fan Zone in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the borough\u2019s official fan zone, is where pure love of soccer meets commercial enterprise and whipped-up media frenzy. It\u2019s both international and all-American \u2014 free tickets mix with food trucks, expensive collectibles and a grassy beer hall. Television and YouTube talent are interviewed by camera crews in front of a giant adidas logo, while free cultural events take place under a tent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TheThe crowd watches the Japan vs. Netherlands game on Sunday. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle<\/p>\n

In other words, it\u2019s a scene, it\u2019s fabulous, and not to be missed.<\/p>\n

And if you like soccer, all the better.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe entrance to the adidas Brooklyn World Cup Fan Zone. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle<\/p>\n

\u2018I would suggest everyone sign up\u2019<\/p>\n

For such a big deal, for all the crowds, the mood at the Fan Zone is summer-outing mellow.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Sunday, a large family from Ecuador, eating at a waterfront table near the food trucks, gave this reporter a happy thumbs up. Japanese couples posed for selfies in front of a giant soccer ball. Thirsty fans in the outdoor beer hall picnicked and watched the action on banks of smaller screens. People were making a day of it.<\/p>\n

\"FansFans proudly represent their countries. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle<\/p>\n

\u201cMy friends and I were initially skeptical,\u201d local resident Aaron Hope told the Brooklyn Eagle. \u201cWe expected long lines to get in, a packed fan zone, and extortionate prices for food and beverage. Our experience was the opposite. It was easy to enter the ground, not too busy once we were inside, and watching the game was a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"HandsHands up for collectible freebies. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle<\/p>\n

Hope said there were a couple of glitches. There was an issue on Sunday with the digital signup for the 3\u00d73 game. And there was a moment about 75 minutes into the Japan vs. Netherlands game, \u201cWhere the organizers cut the live stream so that they could film some stock footage of us booing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThankfully, this was just a brief moment in what was ultimately a great way to experience the World Cup. I would suggest everyone sign up,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"FansFans watching the action during Sunday\u2019s Japan-Netherlands game. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle<\/p>\n

Stripes Exchange backs local orgs<\/p>\n

There are more games going on than soccer, courtesy of the The Stripes Exchange space, where soccer jerseys, soccer balls, collectibles and other sports doodads are for sale. The Exchange is partnering with a variety of local and cultural organizations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Sunday, the Exchange joined with Our Chess NYC, an organization that invites guests to connect over games of chess. Our Chess NYC was founded in 2025 by Brooklyn activist and model Z<\/a>, a member of adidas\u2019 2026 Creative Class.<\/p>\n

\"(Far(Far right) Brooklyn activist and model Z, founder of Our Chess NYC, plays a game under the tent at the adidas Brooklyn World Cup Fan Zone. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle<\/p>\n

\u201cI have insatiable thirst for bringing people together, and I love camaraderie,\u201d Z told the Eagle. \u201cChess, like soccer, is a beautiful connecting game. You don\u2019t need to know the same language. You don\u2019t have to have the same culture. And it connects everybody.\u201d There are just two rules, she said. \u201cNo weirdos allowed, and you have to leave your ego at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our Chess NYC open sessions<\/a> take place at Antilles Cafe at 1170 Nostrand Ave. in Flatbush, and on first Sundays at Silence Please, 132 Bowery in Manhattan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TheThe official 2026 match ball, enlarged. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle<\/p>\n

What to know<\/p>\n

Brooklyn\u2019s Fan Zone spreads out across Emily Warren Roebling Plaza and an adjacent lawn area. The 25,000-square-foot site has room for up to 3,500 visitors a day, but a police officer told the Eagle on Tuesday that he estimated 5,000 people were in the general area.<\/p>\n

Besides live game screenings, performances include PinkPantheress and rapper Larry June on June 26; DJ Whutever on June 19; and another performer on July 18. Other events will include the activation of the multiplayer mobile game Brawl Stars and a screening of the rousing soccer documentary \u201cSummer of \u201994.\u201d<\/p>\n

The adidas FIFA World Cup Fan Zone takes place through July 19, and is open daily from noon\u201310 p.m. See full detailshere<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"OrganizersOrganizers display a collectible. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"OneOne of many collectible soccer jerseys. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"QuiteQuite the large soccer shoe. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"PlentyPlenty of soccer balls to go around. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"SoccerSoccer jerseys from around the world. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"ChillingChilling at the beer hall. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"You\u2019reYou\u2019re never too young to get in the game. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"KickingKicking the ball around the zone. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"AA tense moment before a goal. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"ComedianComedian Eric Andr\u00e9, right, at the adidas Brooklyn Fan Zone. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"BrooklynBrooklyn activist and model Z, founder of Our Chess NYC, is a member of adidas\u2019 2026 Creative Class. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
\n\"(Left(Left to right) Comedians, actors and best friends Tim Baltz and Sam Richardson during an interview in the Brooklyn Fan Zone. Photo: Mary Frost\/Brooklyn Eagle
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