USTA National Tennis Center, located near Flushing, will temporarily transform into one of the official FIFA World Cup fan zones in the summer of 2026. This venue will provide fans with a dedicated space to watch matches and participate in related activities during certain group stage games.
The NYNJ Host Committee announced on the 16th that Louis Armstrong Stadium at the center will be open as a fan zone from June 17 to 28, with a capacity of approximately 10,000 people. During this period, the stadium will broadcast group stage matches and offer family-friendly entertainment and interactive activities to create an immersive viewing experience.
This fan zone is the third official fan venue announced by the organizing committee. Prior to this, the organizers had planned to hold a fan festival at Liberty State Park in New Jersey during the tournament, and set up a fan village at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan from July 4 to 19 during the knockout stage.
Unlike most World Cup fan zones in the past that offered free entry, the Queen’s area venue will implement a ticketing system. The organizers mentioned that this measure will help manage crowds in venues with limited capacity and also generate some revenue for the events. However, according to sports media outlet “The Athletic,” other host cities including Philadelphia and Kansas City have committed to providing free entry to fan zones.
Ticket information for the fan zone set up at the USTA National Tennis Center for the 2026 World Cup is expected to be announced early in 2026.
As the tournament approaches, the organizing committee will continue to announce more fan activities and experiences. With a total of 104 games scheduled for the 2026 World Cup, with only 8 games taking place at the MetLife Stadium which can accommodate over 80,000 people, the actual number of fans allowed in will be limited. The organizers expect that fan zones and fan festivals across various locations will play a crucial role in managing crowd flow and meeting the demand for viewing matches.
Executive Director of the organizing committee, Alex Lasry, expressed that the fan zone aims not only to broadcast matches but also to allow visiting fans to experience the city’s unique features and soccer culture.
The venue will feature activities showcasing the diverse culture of the Queen’s area, including dining options provided by local businesses, sale of official FIFA merchandise, and VIP experiences. Broadcast schedules and more detailed information on activities and ticketing will be announced in the future.
On the other hand, tickets for the Liberty State Park fan festival have already gone on sale. The organizers have mentioned that children under 12 can enter for free when accompanied by an adult. Currently, tickets for the first week of matches are available, and an early bird discount is in place until December 31st.