Queens Group Stage HQ: Nas, Wyclef Jean, Busta Rhymes & Free Fan Fest at USTA Billie Jean King Center

Published 2026-06-15 · WorldCup.NYC Editorial

The World Cup's biggest free fan destination in New York City isn't at Rockefeller Center or Times Square — it's in Queens. The NYNJ World Cup 26 Queens Group Stage HQ runs from June 11 through June 27, 2026 at the iconic USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, transforming the home of the US Open into a 17-day global soccer celebration under the theme "The World's Game in the World's Borough."

Produced by Live Nation and presented by the NYNJ Host Committee with Telemundo as a key partner, the event promises more than 40 performances and appearances from globally recognized artists, DJs, athletes, and hometown legends — all with free general admission.

Concert Lineup

The headline concerts are the centerpiece of the Queens HQ experience:

• June 12 — Nas PAST: Queens' own hip-hop royalty headlined a special concert at his home borough. Required a separate paid ticket.
• June 15 — Wyclef Jean's Carnival TODAY: The legendary Haitian-American artist brings his genre-blending Afro-Caribbean and reggae experience to Flushing.
• June 17 — Ella Mai UPCOMING: The Grammy Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter takes the stage.
• June 20 — Blessd x Ronaldinho UPCOMING: Colombian sensation Blessd performs alongside soccer icon Ronaldinho.
• June 27 — Busta Rhymes UPCOMING: The rap pioneer closes out the group stage alongside Panama vs. England.

Additional performers include DJ Lady S, Nina Sky, and Paso Fino, with more appearances to be announced throughout the tournament.

Match Viewing Inside Louis Armstrong Stadium

Beyond the concerts, the HQ serves as a full-scale fan destination with real-time broadcasts of all Group Stage matches inside Louis Armstrong Stadium, one of the finest tennis arenas in the world. Telemundo hosts daily on-site activations, and brand partners including Levi's, Resorts World Casino, Joby, Mexican-Caribbean Tourism, and NYCFC add interactive experiences throughout.

Free Tickets & How to Get In

General admission is entirely free, but you must reserve tickets in advance on Ticketmaster. Use passcode QUEENSHQ or FWC26NYNJ while supplies last. Tickets are timed entry — match watch parties have entry times corresponding to kickoff. The Nas headline concert on June 12 requires a separately purchased ticket.

Getting to USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

The venue is at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens. Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point (the last stop) — the tennis center is a short walk from the station. From Midtown Manhattan, the ride takes about 30 minutes. No parking headaches, no traffic — the 7 is the way to go.

Why Queens for the World Cup?

Queens is the most ethnically diverse urban area on earth, home to more than 160 languages and immigrant communities from nearly every country with a team in this World Cup. Flushing Meadows Corona Park itself is steeped in history — it hosted the 1964 World's Fair. The NYNJ Host Committee's decision to anchor the group stage fan experience here rather than Manhattan is a deliberate celebration of the borough's identity. Expect flags, food from dozens of nations, and the electric atmosphere of fans from competing countries watching matches side by side.

The Queens HQ runs through June 27, covering all eight group stage match days at MetLife Stadium. As the knockout rounds begin, the fan hub action shifts to Rockefeller Center's Fan Village starting July 6.