Soccer mega-fan Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an emergency order that will block events including some concerts and food festivals from city parkland during the FIFA World Cup.
The city Parks Department adopted the rule at the request of the NYPD, denying new permits for special events on park property during the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19.
The directive could block any events with 20 or more people that require the special permits which could even include birthday celebrations at the Big Apple’s 100 featured parks.
NYC Parks said it adopted the rule denying or restricting “special events” at the request of the police force because manpower will be stretched patrolling events tied to the soccer tournament as well as events commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
“To more effectively deploy resources and control overtime costs, the NYPD has recommended that the department deny certain permit applications for new events between June 11, 2026 and July 19, 2026,” the parks agency said.
Applications for events not held last year could be rejected.
But permits for demonstrations will be exempt from the rule, the agency said.
“The events associated with the FIFA World Cup and United States 250th anniversary will require significant realignment and deployment of NYPD personnel, which will further divert resources from regular assignments and from crime-fighting, public safety, and counter-terrorism duties,” according to the rule, which was signed by Mamdani and Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura.
Before NYC Parks decides on special permit applications, they will consult the NYPD to determine if resources are available to patrol the events.
About 1.2 million visitors are expected to converge on the New York metro region for eight World Cup games at MetLife Stadium at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. Many fans will stay at Big Apple hotels.
Another 6 million visitors are expected for events around the 250th anniversary of the country, with which Fleet Week will coincide this year.
There are already a number of related gatherings planned locally.
The NYNJ World Cup 26 Fan Zone Queens will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Louis Armstrong Stadium from June 17–28. In addition to live match broadcasts, the Fan Zone will include entertainment, games, local food vendors, official merchandise, VIP hospitality experiences and more.
FIFA Fan Festival NYNJ will be held at Liberty State Park in New Jersey throughout the tournament, with live match screenings, music, celebrity appearances and other family-friendly programming.
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