With the World Cup coming to cities across the U.S. this summer, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a new incentive to help residents and visitors explore new, diverse corners of the five boroughs.
The NYC Neighborhood Passport program will launch on June 11, as announced today by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, NYC Tourism + Conventions and Team Wonder, with support from the New York Community Trust.
Starting June 11, participants can pick up specially designed Neighborhood Passports and collect stamps at hundreds of organizations and events across the city, while also contributing to a nationwide World Cup storytelling initiative.
Stamps will be available at dozens of cultural institutions in every borough, such as libraries, theaters and green spaces. And for those who have only visited the Bronx for a Yankees game, it’s the perfect opportunity to check out BronxArtSpace, Bronx Children’s Museum, The Bronx Museum, Bronx Music Hall, Bronx River Art Center, the Bronx Zoo and Wave Hill.
These institutions, and the design of the passport and stamps themselves, celebrate the diversity represented in the World Cup tournament and in New York City.
The stamps were created by New York City-based artists with roots in India, Colombia, Iran, Korea, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Vietnam, Ghana, Mexico and Argentina.
While attending actual World Cup matches will be impossible for many —with individual tickets averaging $2,000, according to Team Wonder — the city and state are planning many free or low-cost events that appeal to lifelong New Yorkers and to tourists.
“The World Cup isn’t just coming to MetLife Stadium. It’s coming to Corona and Flatbush, Astoria and Sunset Park, and every neighborhood that makes New York the most diverse, dynamic city in the world,” Mamdani said in a statement.
“Whether you’re arriving at JFK for the first time or you’ve lived in the five boroughs your whole life, we want every New Yorker and every visitor to experience the full breadth of this city during the World Cup.”
Mamdani’s World Cup Czar, Maya Handa, echoed the need for low-cost and accessible ways for all residents to enjoy the tournament.
“This World Cup, people should get to scavenge for fun passport stamps, not be forced to scavenge for affordable ways to join the celebration,” Handa said. “With these new initiatives, we’ll make it easy for New Yorkers and visitors alike to explore the five boroughs, find free watch parties, visit small businesses, and enjoy the historic tournament coming to our community.”
In addition to the Neighborhood Passport program, Mayor Mamdani and NYC Tourism + Conventions also announced a soon-to-come events calendar and interactive map on nyctourism.com to help New Yorkers and visitors discover neighborhood events throughout the World Cup.
These initiatives add to other World Cup-related activities already announced, such as new mini soccer pitches at P.S. 112 Bronxwood School and others across the city, free watch parties and fan zone events in every borough, including June 13 and 14 at the Bronx Terminal Market, closing city streets to vehicle traffic for youth “Soccer Streets” and more.
To see a full list of institutions participating in the NYC Neighborhood Passport program, visit https://www.team-wonder.com/alreadyhome.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
