The city should treat World Cup activations as strategic pilot projects in locations suited for long-term impact. This includes both neighborhood-scale public space expansions across the five boroughs and bold steps towards more ambitious infrastructure goals. While these activations address long-term goals, they can be realized through incremental, tactical, and deployable interventions in time for the summer matches. This approach maintains room for community input and engagement, allowing feedback to shape these spaces as they become more permanent over time. RPA has envisioned these two types of transformative projects.

The scale of an event as monumental as the World Cup lends itself to bold rethinking of our public realm, starting with the future of the FDR South Viaduct. Constructed in the 1950’s, this elevated roadway segment runs 1.25 miles along the East River, stretching from the Brooklyn Bridge down to The Battery. RPA first identified the viaduct as a barrier to river access and park space in our Fourth Regional Plan (2017). Momentum for change grew in 2023, when now-Comptroller Mark Levine proposed ​“Raze the FDR”, a vision to demolish this segment of the viaduct and transform the corridor into an at-grade, pedestrian-friendly boulevard. Additionally, the FiDi & Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan mentions this as a community-supported initiative in its ​“next steps” section. Could the World Cup be a creative catalyst for piloting future removal?

We’re proposing the closure of this viaduct segment to car traffic and transforming it into a World Cup Promenade that links three major public viewing areas. This would not be the first time New York City has allowed pedestrians to experience the elevated view from the viaduct, as several Fourth of July Fireworks shows have hosted special FDR Drive closures. However, by extending this closure for the duration of the tournament, we can offer a sustained look at a future where this thoroughfare no longer exists. It is an excellent opportunity to initiate a step toward highway removal and test how the city reacts as we prioritize people over highways.

The 1.25-mile-long Promenade would be anchored by three distinct activation zones: Gotham Park to the north, Bowling Green to the south, and a central mainstage at Seaport/Pier 16. Each of these three nodes would offer a unique experience and would benefit long-term from World Cup activations.

The Northern Node: Gotham Park

Gotham Park, deemed ​“the hidden park under the Brooklyn Bridge,” is a relatively new public space. It was formally established in 2023 and completed a major two-acre expansion in June 2025. Occupying the vaulted, infrastructural area under the bridge’s Manhattan-side landing, the park offers active recreational space in a uniquely shaded microclimate, ideal in the heat of the summer. Using this area for World Cup programming would elevate the visibility of this nascent park and complement Mayor Mamdani’s recent announcement of a bike and pedestrian connection redesign at this entrance to the Bridge.

Center of the Promenade: Seaport & Pier 16

At the midpoint of the Promenade, Seaport/Pier 16 is envisioned as the primary NYNJ match viewing area. By creating temporary stairs and elevators to connect the elevated FDR viaduct directly to ground level, the city can offer a new experience between lower Manhattan and the water. This area is a strategic choice for large-scale activation, given the existing ecosystem of event venues, restaurants, outdoor space, city-owned land, and piers. Programming of this scale would be a boon for Seaport businesses during slower weeknight hours. Furthermore, this space could be paired with special waterfront activities such as exhibits on the historical Seaport, the Sail Forth 250 flotilla in July, or FiDi climate resilience planning, especially when project funding uncertainty is a concern.

The Southern Node: Bowling Green

Bowling Green is already a highly-trafficked tourist destination, with its proximity to the Statue of Liberty, The Battery, Wall Street, and Trinity Church, among other attractions. However, despite its significance, the surrounding streetscape often struggles to accommodate the sheer volume of pedestrians. The World Cup provides a moment to act on the ​“Make Way for Lower Manhattan” vision. This 2019 plan proposes a ​“Slow-Street District” in FiDi to address crowded sidewalks and the disproportionate allocation of space to cars. A key component of this plan is the pedestrianization of the eastern southbound lane of Broadway, adjacent to Bowling Green. Initially using tactical interventions, the City can enlarge the Bowling Green plaza in time for our summer visitors. It wouldn’t be just a fan zone, but a pilot for longstanding pedestrian improvements within FiDi and an eventual piece to an expanded DOT Broadway Vision. Pairing this expansion with America 250 historic exhibits would maximize the site’s value as a place where New York’s history meets future-forward public space goals.

While the World Cup Promenade reimagines major infrastructure, the second type of recommended project focuses on the neighborhood scale. We echo the sentiment that others have put forward to push for car-free neighborhood gathering spaces. To exemplify, we’ve envisioned a new open street plaza in Corona, Queens. The City should pedestrianize underutilized street segments, commonly residual triangles or road fragments within the street grid, using low-cost, tactical strategies. This is a replicable model for expanding public space across all neighborhoods. Priority should be given in locations adjacent to schools, parks, and commercial businesses, especially if they have already been identified by the NYC Public Space Equity Program.

World Cup placemaking ideas would transform these plazas and slow streets into more than just locations for watch parties; they would support the global populations and businesses that define New York City’s diverse identity. These activations should not only be temporary fan zones; instead, they should be the first pass at incremental improvements toward the expansion of public space. Once the games are over, neighborhoods can offer feedback developed from several weeks of active usage. This approach allows the community to shape the future of their public realm and ensures the World Cup leaves behind a legacy of reclaimed streets that reflect the people who use them.

The 2026 World Cup offers a global stage for New York City to advance its public space goals. This event is more than just a month of matches; it is a high-visibility, low-risk chance to take the first step towards the people-centered streets of our future. By implementing large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the FDR World Cup Promenade, alongside smaller community-focused improvements like the Corona Community Plaza, the city can create a lasting legacy for its residents.