As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the famous New York landmark, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), recently announced the launch of a series of events titled “World Cup and World Cultures – Celebrating the Community Spirit and Scientific Achievements of Sports”.
The highlight of this event is that starting from June 11th (Thursday) when the matches begin, multiple exhibition halls of the museum will be transformed into large live viewing areas. The public only needs to purchase regular tickets to enjoy a unique experience of “watching the match and exploring the exhibition” – the museum has set up high-definition large screens in venues such as the LeFrak Theater and the Cullman Universe Hall. The first wave of selected matches for live broadcast include: on June 11th at 15:00 Mexico vs. South Africa (opening match special), on June 12th at 15:00 Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, on June 13th at 15:00/18:00 Qatar vs. Switzerland and Brazil vs. Morocco, and on June 19th at 15:00 USA vs. Australia.
In addition to live match broadcasts, the museum has also carefully planned several limited-time projects that combine historical significance and educational value, all included in the ticket price.
The special historical artifact exhibition “Champion” opened on May 15th, showcasing a collection of 70 precious artifacts spanning 15 sports. Two major highlights include the historic gold medal won by legendary track star Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, which symbolizes the spirit of human resistance against prejudice; as well as the prestigious “Vince Lombardi Trophy” in American football, on display alongside championship trophies of local teams such as the New York Liberty and New York City Football Club (NYCFC), showcasing hometown glory.
Starting from May 28th, the museum will introduce three major themes in the “Learning Laboratory”, perfect for parents to lead their children in exploring together. The “Global Sports Arena” will unravel the material science behind sports equipment and the geometry of goal trajectories; the “Origins of Humanity Laboratory” will analyze how top athletes challenge limits from a biomechanical perspective; and the “Exploration of Cultural Laboratory” will help the next generation understand the cultural influence of sports around the world.
Moreover, the “Goal Zone” opened on May 18th which features a digital simulator and soccer challenges, allowing the public to experience firsthand participation while watching the matches.
The museum will also host two large “All-Day Special Event Days” on June 13th and July 11th, offering more upgraded interactive experiences. It is a cross-boundary grand event in the New York community not to be missed this summer.