US Open's Queens to host free World Cup fan zone announces New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani

[p]Officials said the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is expected to draw up to ‌10,000 fans at a time from June 11-27, with additional sites ‌planned in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island.[/p][p][b]"These events were not initially ‌set to be free, but the world's game should belong to the ‌world,"[/b] Mamdani said.[b] "We've made the decision together for fans to be able to watch that together without having to spend a dollar."[/b][/p][p]The Manhattan fan village will be at Rockefeller ‌Center from July 6-19, with shorter events planned ⁠at the Bronx Terminal Market and ‌Staten Island University Hospital Community Park.[/p][p]Brooklyn Bridge Park will host one of the longest-running ​fan zones from June 13 to July 19.[/p][p]Mamdani framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to ensure local fans are ​not priced out of the tournament, amid mounting criticism from fan groups and lawmakers who warn that rising match ticket costs could exclude ordinary supporters.[/p][p][b]"Soccer ⁠is a game that was ​born out of the working class," [/b]he said. [b]"The ticket prices that we are seeing are not ones that many working people could even dream of affording."[/b][/p][p]Officials said fan zones will include live match screenings, food vendors and cultural programmes, ‌with more fan activities and community events to be announced in the coming weeks.[/p][h2]Wider regional impact expected[/h2][p]New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the wider region can expect more than one million visitors and an economic impact of about $3.3 billion.[/p][p]She also announced complementary initiatives including extended bar hours, permits for outdoor watch parties and statewide viewing events.[/p][p]The state is also proposing a $5 million “New York Kicks” programme to invest in youth soccer facilities, alongside a $500,000 community grant scheme to support local World Cup-related events.[/p][p]Organisers also highlighted longer-term investments tied ‌to the tournament, including upgrades at venues such as Staten Island University ​Hospital Community Park.[/p][p]Asked about security, Mamdani said preparations were being coordinated ‌with police and other agencies, acknowledging heightened concerns following recent political violence in the country.[/p][p][b]"These are events where New Yorkers can celebrate without fear,"[/b] he said. [b]"We are confident in our ability to keep people safe."[/b][/p][p]The New York-New Jersey region will host eight matches, including the final on ⁠July 19. The tournament kicks off ⁠on June 11 across the ‌United States, Mexico and Canada.[/p]