Free Events Will Offer Family-Friendly Community Viewing Experiences to 2026 World Cup Matches and Support Long-Term Youth Soccer Investments in New York State
Attendees are encouraged To Use Public Transit for Easy Access to Stony Brook University
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that free ticket registration is officially open for the New York State United — 2026 World Cup Watch Experience on Long Island. This first-of-its-kind, free, large-scale public viewing event will take place on June 12 at Stony Brook University and is expected to draw thousands of New Yorkers. The day will consist of two events: the Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B) World Cup match at 3:00 PM and the USA vs Paraguay (Group D) World Cup match at 9:00 PM. Families, soccer fans and communities across New York can now request tickets to one or both of these events.
This milestone marks a major step in bringing the excitement of the 2026 World Cup directly into communities across New York State. The World Cup Watch Experience will transform Stony Brook University into a free, accessible outdoor destination where families, soccer fans and New Yorkers from across the region can gather to experience the tournament together close to home. Alongside live match viewing, the event will feature interactive soccer experiences, entertainment, local food and beverage offerings, and programming that celebrates the energy, diversity and spirit of Long Island and communities across New York State.
“I am proud of our efforts to bring the World Cup — a truly global moment — directly into communities across New York State, which includes opening the ticket registration today for the New York State United 2026 World Cup Watch Experience on Long Island,” Governor Hochul said. “By creating free, family-friendly viewing events across New York, we’re making it easier for families, fans and communities to come together, celebrate the world’s game and create lasting memories — while continuing to invest in the future of youth soccer in the state.”
The Long Island event is the first of two New York State flagship World Cup Watch Experiences, with a second major public viewing event planned for the FIFA World Cup Final on July 19 at Kensico Dam Plaza in Westchester County. Registration is free and required for entry to both events on June 12. For more details on the ticket registration process or the events on June 12, Fans registering for tickets will also have the option to receive event updates, transportation information, schedule reminders and important day-of notifications via email and text message. For more details on the ticket registration process or the events on June 12, please visit the event website. The World Cup Watch Experience on Long Island is one of several public viewing experiences part of Governor Hochul’s statewide initiative that will create unprecedented opportunities for New Yorkers to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
Building on Governor Hochul’s broader strategy to leverage major global events for lasting statewide benefit, these viewing events complement the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program and the proposed NY Kicks: A World Cup Legacy Investment Fund, which will expand access to youth soccer infrastructure and programming in communities across the state. These efforts also advance Governor Hochul’s Get Offline, Get Outside initiative, which encourages New Yorkers to unplug from devices and spend time outdoors in their communities by activating public spaces and creating shared, active experiences for families.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Opening registration for the Long Island World Cup Watch Experience brings New Yorkers one step closer to experiencing the excitement of the 2026 World Cup right here at home. These free public viewing events will create accessible opportunities for families, fans and communities to come together on Long Island while also supporting broader investments in youth soccer, regional tourism and community engagement across the state.”