Financial District & Lower Manhattan: World Cup 2026 Fan Guide

Lower Manhattan doesn't usually get mentioned in the same breath as Midtown or Brooklyn for nightlife — but for the 2026 World Cup, it may be the most underrated part of the city. Stone Street, New York's oldest paved street, turns into a cobblestone block party every summer evening. Battery Park is hosting free watch parties through the Final. The Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center is screening matches all tournament long. And the PATH train puts you on a direct line to MetLife Stadium.

Stone Street: the best outdoor bar scene in Lower Manhattan

Stone Street was paved in 1658 — the first cobblestone street in what was then New Amsterdam. Today it's a pedestrian-only block lined wall-to-wall with bars and restaurants, and from April through November the entire street fills with outdoor communal tables. On a summer match day, it's one of the more atmospheric places in the city to watch football.

The key venues on and immediately around Stone Street:

• The Dubliner — Irish pub at 45 Stone St, soccer-focused with good screens
• Stone Street Tavern — classic pub at 52 Stone St, outdoor tables, known for its burgers
• Ulysses Folk House — the original Stone Street bar (opened 2003), raw bar, long communal outdoor tables
• Beckett's Bar & Grill — Irish sports bar at 26 Stone St, in a landmark building dating to the 1600s
• Route 66 Smoke House — BBQ and craft beer at 40 Stone St, outdoor seating, multiple screens
• Fraunces Tavern — one of the oldest pubs in New York City (opened 1762), two minutes from Stone Street on Pearl St
• Stout NYC FiDi — sports bar near the Seaport on William St, big screens, close to Fulton Street subway hub

Stone Street is best approached on foot — it's a short walk from the 2/3, 4/5, J/Z, and R trains at Rector Street, Wall Street, and Broad Street stations. For match days with early kickoffs, the outdoor tables fill fast. Get there before the hour.

Free outdoor events: Battery Park and PAC NYC

Two of the best free World Cup experiences in the city are both happening in Lower Manhattan.

Battery Park watch parties begin June 12 with USA vs. Paraguay — a free family-friendly tailgate with a live performance by the Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band. Additional free screenings run from July 5 through July 19, covering the Round of 16 through the Final. Free admission, outdoor, with the harbor as a backdrop.

PAC NYC at the World Trade Center is screening matches on its outdoor terrace throughout the tournament starting June 11, with food and drinks from Marcus Samuelsson's Metropolis. A single drink purchase gets you in. The venue opens with Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 and continues through the knockout rounds.

See the full Lower Manhattan World Cup events calendar →

May 26: USA Squad Reveal at Pier 17

Before the tournament kicks off, the South Street Seaport is hosting one of the most anticipated pre-tournament moments: the US Soccer Federation's official announcement of its 26-man World Cup roster. Doors open at 1 p.m. on May 26, with a US Soccer festival on the Pier 17 waterfront. The squad reveal begins at 3 p.m., with each player introduced individually. Free to attend — registration required through the US Soccer website.

Getting to MetLife Stadium from Lower Manhattan

Lower Manhattan has two viable routes to MetLife Stadium. The PATH train is the most direct option for FiDi — trains run from the World Trade Center station to Newark Penn Station, where NJ Transit connects to Secaucus Junction and the Meadowlands Rail Service. The full journey runs approximately 50–65 minutes.

Step by step: FiDi to MetLife via PATH

1. Board the PATH train at World Trade Center station toward Newark
2. Exit at Newark Penn Station
3. Board a NJ Transit train toward Secaucus Junction
4. Transfer at Secaucus Junction to the Meadowlands Rail Service
5. Arrive directly at MetLife Stadium

Alternatively, take the A/C/E or 1/2/3 uptown to Penn Station (34th Street) and board NJ Transit from there. This is slower but avoids the Newark transfer.

FIFA's official shuttle bus ($20 round-trip) departs from Grand Central and the Port Authority Bus Terminal — both accessible via subway from FiDi in under 20 minutes.

MetLife matches worth making the trip for

Eight matches are being played at New York New Jersey Stadium this summer:

• Brazil vs. Morocco — June 13 →
• France vs. Senegal — June 16 →
• Norway vs. Senegal — June 22 →
• Ecuador vs. Germany — June 25 →
• Panama vs. England — June 27 →
• The Final — July 19 →

Where to stay in Lower Manhattan

Staying in FiDi puts you within walking distance of Stone Street, Battery Park, the Seaport, and the World Trade Center PATH station. It's quieter than Midtown and tends to offer better value per night during major events.