Downtown NYC is embracing World Cup fever, and there are all manner of soccer-themed and adjacent events filling up the calendar over June and July. If you want a round-up of what’s happening and when, look no further — we’ll keep this page updated as and when we get the word on events, watch parties and more. (And if you’re a business planning a watch party, let us know!)
May 26: USA squad announcement at Pier 17
With the tournament drawing close, so too is the deadline for the participating teams to finalize their squads. As per FIFA, final 26-member squads will be “considered official [when] confirmed by FIFA on 2 June.” The USA, however, isn’t waiting around: there’s a glitzy roster reveal event happening on May 26, and it’s right here in NYC.
The event is taking place at Pier 17, and it kicks off at 1 p.m. with what the venue describes as “a festival of all things US Soccer.” The actual squad announcement begins at 3 p.m., with each player given an individual introduction over the course of the next hour. The whole thing is free, and you can register via the US Soccer website.
June 12 onwards: PAC NYC watch parties
It’s nice to see the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) getting into the sporting spirit! The center plans to show a bunch of games throughout the tournament, all of which will be open-air screenings on the venue’s terrace (weather permitting). There’ll also be food and drinks from Metropolis by Marcus Samuelsson, so if you fancy something classier than a pint and some wings with your football, this could be the spot for you.
The screenings start with Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, at 3 p.m. on June 12, and a full schedule of matches to be shown is available at PAC NYC’s website. Admission requires one drink purchase.
June 12 onwards: Battery Park watch parties
As part of its usual free summer event programming, this year Battery Park will be hosting a number of free watch parties for World Cup games. As per the official announcement, the first of these events will be on June 12, for the USA–Paraguay game, and will feature “a family-friendly tailgate and a performance by the Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band.” Heck yes.
More details on additional parties as we get them; as of now, the only information available is that “additional screenings will take place from July 5–19…covering matches from the Round of 16 through the Final with accompanying activities.”
Tom Hawking is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor and football fanatic. Find him at his website.
photo: iStock
