NYC Guide for Soccer-Loving Teens
Brooklyn Bridge Pier 5 at night
Where to find jerseys, World Cup 2026 Fan Zones, and drop-in fields
Do you smell fresh-cut grass? It’s almost kickoff time for the FIFA World Cup 2026, taking place across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico! Fans are gearing up for an exciting summer of the world’s game. Whether you’re fortunate enough to attend the matches in the stadiums or you’re watching from one of the many fan zones or in the comfort of your own home, if you’re in the New York/New Jersey area, World Cup fever will be contagious.
MetLife Stadium (which, by the way, is over the river in New Jersey, if you need directions) will host eight matches, from Brazil vs. Morocco on June 13 to the World Cup Final on July 19. Visiting the NYC region with a soccer-loving teen? Here’s where to take them, from a local soccer parent.
Fit check
If there’s one thing footy fans can’t get enough of, it’s soccer jerseys. Pick up a new kit at any of these shops and show your pride for club or country.
Official U.S. Soccer Store presented by Visa at Grand Central Terminal
Repping the USMNT? For a limited time (May 25–June 28), shop U.S. Soccer at Grand Central Terminal. Discover official gear, limited-edition NYC merchandise, and enjoy on-site player jersey personalization and customization. Visa cardholders receive exclusive benefits. Sport your new look while walking around the historic Grand Central train station.
Grand Central - U.S. Soccer Store, 89 E 42nd Street, New York, NY 11001
The viewing area at Pelé Soccer
Pelé Soccer
If you are willing to brave the crowds in Times Square, you can’t miss this super soccer store, inspired by the legacy of one of — if not the — greatest to play the game. Featuring wall-to-wall soccer jerseys, cleats, balls, and all the related gear you can think of, the highlight here is the stadium seating in the rear. A 13' x 24' LED screen airs a constant rotation of games, perfect for a drop-in watch party.
Pelé Soccer, 1560 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Soccer Post in Brooklyn
Soccer Post
If you’re looking for where the local community shops, this is the place. After most major sporting goods chains closed in NYC, Soccer Post has filled the gap for many families. The Brooklyn and Queens locations feature small turfs available for field rentals, while the Upper West Side location has an adjacent cafe, Crossbar, which airs a steady stream of matches.
Soccer Post New York, 34-22 Steinway St., Astoria, Queens; 359 Atlantic Ave., Downtown Brooklyn; 250 W. 86th St., Upper West Side, Manhattan
Check out an interactive exhibit
There will be tons of events going on across the city, including official fan zones across the five boroughs. Here are some experiences that should impress even the hardest-to-please teens in your life.
FIFA is coming to Fanatics Fest
Fanatics Fest
After a smashing debut last year, this massive sports festival returns just in time for World Cup Final weekend. Headliners are too long to list but include Tom Brady, John Cena, Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Aaron Judge, and Abby Wambach. Fans can get autographs and pose for photos, interact with exhibits from major leagues, teams, and brands, and take in podcasts, panels, and game screenings. As if that weren’t enough, the official World Cup Final pre-match press conference will take place at the fest, meaning attendees will have the rare opportunity to see both teams on stage before the big game.
Fanatics Fest at the Javits Center, 429 11th Ave., Hudson Yards, Manhattan
Sunset Park will get its own fan fest
House of GOAL at Industry City
This sprawling, historic complex, known for its mix of eateries, shops, artisan studios, and entertainment spaces, is going all-in on World Cup fever. House of GOAL will feature 3v3 and 1v1 battles on small-side pitches, a GoalX game lab with eSports competitions, soccer-themed art and shopping, and global street food inspired by the cultural diversity of the world’s game.
House of GOAL at Industry City, 220 36th St., Sunset Park, Brooklyn
The American Museum of Natural History
Goal Zone at American Museum of Natural History
The museum, best known for dinosaur fossils and an immersive planetarium, is devoting several spaces to World Cup-themed events. Exhibits require tickets and include a “For the Win” hall of trophies and watch parties in large-screen theaters, and a “Goal Zone” sounds most in-tune with younger teens. Digital simulators measure kick velocity, a floor-projected interactive game tests footwork and reflexes, and there’s bench soccer, tabletop soccer, and foosball to get everyone in on the fun.
Goal Zone at American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, Manhattan
Kick a ball
There are plenty of venues to watch the games, but what if your teen is actually itching to play? Field space is a premium in NYC, so you’re going to need the inside scoop on free, open turf fields. Pro tip: You can search this map to find out which NYC park fields are available at the time you want to visit.
Brooklyn Bridge Pier 5
Brooklyn Bridge Park - Pier 5
While the city is hosting a fan zone at Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 5 is still an active field for players. Several local leagues train here, but there are usually empty zones for some drop-in play, or come during off-peak hours. With views of the lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, this is one of the most scenic panoramic views in NYC, especially at sunset. As a bonus, if your teen also enjoys other sports, be sure to check out Pier 2 for basketball courts, weight equipment, tennis/pickleball, swings, and rollerskating.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights
The Ground is a unique venue for pickup games
The Ground
A truly unique rooftop futsal court under the Manhattan Bridge, The Ground has free pickup games on Wednesdays and Fridays. Ballers are typically high school-aged and up. No cleats allowed — turf shoes or sneakers only. If your teen doesn’t quite feel up to the level of play, there’s still plenty of space in the viewing area to watch the action go down. Keep an eye on their Instagram for upcoming events. While you’re there, don’t miss the mural outside by street artist BKFOXX, featuring hyperrealistic grisaille portraits of soccer legends — Franco Baresi, George Best, Johan Cruyff, and Diego Maradona — a perfect photo backdrop.
The Ground, 130 Madison St., Chinatown, Manhattan
Fresh new turf at East River Park
John V. Lindsay East River Park
Right off the FDR Drive, accessible on foot by the Delancey Street pedestrian bridge, a pristine turf sit in the city’s newly refurbished East River Park. Part of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, this initiative is designed to protect the surrounding neighborhoods from future storm surges and sea-level rise. Note that the northern section of the park is still under construction, so it’s still a bit off the beaten path, but the views under the Williamsburg Bridge make it worth the trek.
John V. Lindsay East River Park, East River Promenade at Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Check out a pro match
The World Cup isn’t the only football in town — New York has a number of professional teams.
Brooklyn FC’s men’s team competes in the second-division USL Championship.
Gotham FC & Brooklyn FC
While the MLS (Major League Soccer) teams are on pause during most of the World Cup, NWSL team Gotham FC hosts two home games near the World Cup final. They’ll host the Washington Spirit at Citi Field in Queens on July 15 and return to their home pitch, Sports Illustrated Stadium, on July 18 to take on the Seattle Reign. Brooklyn FC competes in the second-division USL Championship (men's) and the USL Super League (women's). Both teams host their home matches at Maimonides Park, located right in Coney Island. On June 20, the men host the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Make a day of it
The beauty of New York during a World Cup summer is that the city itself becomes part of the show. Grab a jersey at Grand Central in the morning, kick a ball at Pier 5 in the afternoon, swing through House of GOAL for street food and a screening that night — and somewhere in between, your teen will probably stop checking their phone long enough to actually look up and make some memories.
