New York’s Governor Ho Chu announced on Monday, May 11, that the registration for free tickets to the “2026 World Cup Viewing Experience” event jointly hosted by New York State has officially opened on Long Island. This unprecedented large-scale free public viewing event will take place on June 12 at Stony Brook University and is expected to attract thousands of New York City residents to participate.
The day will feature two events: the World Cup match between Canada and Bosnia in Group B at 3 p.m., and the match between the United States and Paraguay in Group D at 9 p.m.
Families, soccer fans, and community residents from all over New York State can now apply to register to attend the matches.
“By hosting free, family-friendly viewing events across New York State, we make it easier for families, fans, and communities to come together to celebrate this world-class sport, creating unforgettable memories,” the governor said in a statement. “At the same time, we will also continue to invest in the future development of youth soccer in New York State.”
In addition to watching the matches live, the event will also offer interactive soccer experiences, entertainment activities, local food and drinks, as well as programs showcasing the vibrancy, diversity, and spirit of communities in Long Island and throughout New York State.
The Long Island event is the first of two World Cup experiences organized by New York State, with the second large public viewing event planned to be held at Kensico Dam Plaza in Westchester County on July 19, where the FIFA World Cup final will be shown.
Both events on June 12 require registration and are free to enter. For more details on the ticket registration process or the activities on June 12, please visit the event website: newyorkstateunited.com.
These viewing events are part of a broader strategy in New York State aimed at leveraging major global sporting events to bring lasting benefits to the entire state. These activities complement the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program and the proposed “New York Star: World Cup Legacy Investment Fund,” which will expand coverage of youth soccer infrastructure and programs throughout communities across the state. These initiatives also support Governor Ho Chu’s “Put Down Electronics, Embrace Outdoors” initiative, which encourages New Yorkers to set aside electronic devices and create shared, positive outdoor experiences for families in the community by activating public spaces and enjoying time outdoors together.