Transcript: Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul and FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee Announce Free Fan Events Across Five Boroughs
Zohran Mamdani on NYC Mayor's Office transcripts.
Passages
Good afternoon, everyone. It is a true pleasure to be here with all of you, and I want to acknowledge we have our Governor, Kathy Hochul, who is here with us. A true partner in this work and so much more. We have our Staten Island Borough President, Vito Fossella, who is here with us. We want to thank the CEO of the NYNJ host committee, Alex Lasry. We have our administration's World Cup Czar, Maya Handa. We have Justin Brannan, the senior director of major event operations at the state level. We have Mike Cusick, a former colleague, who is now the president of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation; Meagan Sills, the president of Staten Island University Hospital; Eric Landau, the president of Brooklyn Bridge Park; Christie Huus, the events director of the NYNJ host committee. We have John Catsimatidis, who is also here with us. And we have the acting president and CEO of our EDC, Jeanny Pak, as well as Gary Perone, the general manager of the Staten Island FerryHawks, and so many others who are standing here alongside us as we celebrate what is truly an exciting moment and an exciting announcement for the entirety of our city. Now, 45 days from today, the world will come together to watch Mexico versus South Africa kick off the World Cup at the Azteca in Mexico City. For millions, this game holds a special resonance. It is the same matchup as the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. All you need to say is “Tshabalala, goal—Bafana Bafana, goal for South Africa, goal for all Africa,” and countless fans are transported back to that incredible moment. But when we remember the World Cup, we don't just remember how sweetly Tshabalala struck that ball, or how Papa Bouba Diop took the incredible winner for Senegal against France in 2002, or Romelu Lukaku stepping over a 94th-minute pass to allow Nacer Chadli to score what was the winner for Belgium against Japan in 2018. We also remember the family members we celebrated alongside, the grandparents who shouted even louder than us that "no era penal," the strangers who, for one brief moment in a bar or public park, became the best friends that we'd ever known. That is the beauty of the World Cup. The world's game truly brings the world together. And as we prepare to host the World Cup right here in our backyard, we want to do everything in our power to make it more affordable for fans to make those memories. And so, I'm proud to stand here alongside so many other partners at [the] city, state and the World Cup host committee to announce that if the best things in life are free, so too should the World Cup fan experience. That is why we are delighted to say that we will be hosting five free official fan events, one in each borough, featuring live viewings, local food offerings and so much more. These events were not initially set to be free, but the world's game should belong to the world. And so, we've made the decision together for fans to be able to watch that together without having to spend a dollar. Now make no mistake, these are not simple one-day affairs. Some of them will last weeks. In Queens, it'll be held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from June 11th to 27th. In Manhattan, fans can watch at the Fan Village and Rockefeller Center from July 6th to the 19th. In the Bronx, it'll be held at the Bronx Terminal Market on June 13th and 14th. Staten Islanders will be able to watch at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park from June 29th until July 2nd. And Brooklynites will have quite the backdrop at Brooklyn Bridge Park from June 13th to July 19th. Now this is just one small part of our commitment to making the World Cup one that every New Yorker can afford to take part in. Every fan should be able to watch the greatest tournament on earth without having to dip into their savings. Today, we take the first step of many towards fulfilling that process. And now, before I pass it on, I do also just want to ask for a round of applause for everyone who is here who made this day possible. [Applause.] Truly, I want to thank all of you. Because announcements such as these are not ever made thanks to one person, it is thanks to a committee and to partners at every single level of government. And so, it is my pleasure to welcome up to the microphone a partner in this endeavor, Governor Kathy Hochul.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceWhat I would say is that we are incredibly excited, as the head of the host committee said, to not only welcome the world to New York City, but also welcome New Yorkers to what this experience will be. I can tell you that some of my favorite memories as a New Yorker growing up in this city has also been the way in which our city has come alive when the World Cup has been hundreds, thousands of miles away. And we're excited for everyone who will come. We're excited for all those who are here. And we're looking forward to showing exactly what the governor has said, which is that New York City is ready. And when it comes to the specificity of the fan zones — I'll just bring you up to answer any of the questions.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceSo, I'll just first start, Marcia, to speak a little bit about what happened at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Political violence is unacceptable, and it should have no place in our country. And I am relieved that President Trump and everyone who attended the dinner is safe. When it comes to the events that we are announcing here today, they're also events that we have been planning and coordinating with our police department to be fully prepared for. And so, when we speak about these events, as well as the events that we will be coming together again and again to announce more of over the course of the next few weeks, we are going to be protecting New Yorkers at those events. They are events where New Yorkers can celebrate without the fear of any of what it is that you're describing. And that's the truth for the World Cup. That's the truth also for Sail250, as well as the 250th anniversary of our nation, July 4th. These are all events where we are incredibly excited to welcome the world to our city and that we are confident in our police department and our ability to keep people safe over the course of them.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceSafety has been top of mind for us. And I'll be frank with you that what we saw at the Press Correspondents Dinner is one part of a very troubling reality across this country, which is how political violence has become part of our politics. And it is something that we are taking into consideration whenever we are planning anything in our city. And I'm fully confident in our city and in our police department to keep New Yorkers safe over the course of that. Because the answer to this kind of violence can never be that we refuse to engage in public life. Showing New York City is welcome for the world and also those who live here is one way in which we show that there is no room for this kind of political violence to not only affect the way in which we live, but also to threaten the things that we look forward to over the course of the summer and beyond. [Crosstalk.]
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceWell, I'd say a few things. The first is that we know there are those across the world who are concerned about federal policies, about the presence of ICE. These are concerns that many New Yorkers share. And we are looking to showcase the fact that New York City is one that is eager to welcome the world to our five boroughs. And we're eager to do so because in many ways New York City is a reflection of the world. More than 3 million New Yorkers were born outside of this country. I'm one of them. And we also know that the statistics that you're citing are preliminary in the fact that nearly half of those who expect to attend a World Cup game in New York City, New Jersey, have not yet bought their tickets. And so, we are excited to show both in this announcement and in the many to come that this is a city that will be one of the best ways to enjoy what is the most-watched tournament in the world. And I also say this as someone who went to South Africa for the World Cup in 2010. Some of my fondest memories were at fan zones. It was not crying in the stadium when Luis Suárez stopped the gold-bound shot of the Ghanaian team. It was rather playing beach soccer in Durban. It was watching the World Cup final alongside so many others on a massive screen. It was the celebration and the opportunity to better explore South Africa as someone visiting. And I know that that will be the case for so many here. And we're excited to show that these fan zones are just the beginning of what the city will have to offer when it comes to this incredible tournament.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceSo, we are going to be doing a number of things to ensure that we don't just sit and hope that tourists will come and explore the city, but rather that we provide them with a guide of how to truly understand this city as a New Yorker. And we're very excited to announce them in the weeks and months to come. Thank you.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceSo, I'll pass the capacity question over to our CEO of the host committee. What I will say is that I've been very clear about where I stand on the affordability of tickets. Soccer is a game that was born out of the working class. The ticket prices that we are seeing are not ones that many working people could even dream of affording. And so, I've said time and time again that we want to see as affordable of a tournament as possible. And what we're excited to show in this announcement — thanks to the incredible work of the host committee and so many partners across the city and the state — is that for many New Yorkers who were never going to be able to go watch the game, that they actually have a place where they can go and watch and feel the excitement of that tournament. And on the capacity question—
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceYou know, the decision of what to charge for these tickets is a decision made by New Jersey Transit, and it's a decision that they're making because of the cost that comes with the host duties. And I empathize with the fact that what we see oftentimes is municipalities being left with a cost of a tournament that will generate $11 billion in revenue. What I can say is that what is within New York City's control, we are going to ensure it is the most affordable experience it can be, whether it comes from these fan fests or it comes from how we're looking to unlock the city as a whole for those who are coming to visit as well as for those who already live here.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceWhat I'll say is that today is one of many announcements that we're going to be making in the lead up to the World Cup, and one of those announcements will be regarding DOT watch parties. And we're excited to announce this because we're looking for this to be a tournament where New Yorkers can celebrate no matter where they are — no matter what borough they call home. And we're looking forward to ensuring that New Yorkers can do so, and we're going to be sharing those details soon.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceYou know, I will be attending the wreath laying tomorrow alongside a number of other elected officials, including Governor Hochul [and] Governor Sherrill, to pay tribute to the more than 3,000 people who were killed in the horrific terror attacks of September 11th. And that will be the extent of my meeting with the king and with others who are present there.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceSo, what I would say is that I am deeply committed to protecting Jewish New Yorkers and to doing so not just at religious services, not just in their homes, not just outside of schools, but frankly, wherever they are in New York City. And it's part of a commitment to ensure that public safety is delivered for each and every New Yorker. And I also believe that as we deliver that public safety, as we show an absolute rejection of antisemitism across the five boroughs, we can also do these things while protecting our fundamental constitutional rights. And what I heard from a number — including members of organized labor, nearly a dozen labor unions — were concerns not just around the constitutional nature of the legislation that was passed, but also about its potential impact on labor organizing, given the broad language that was used that could be extended to apply to museums, to libraries, to hospitals. And that is an impact that I would not be comfortable with signing into law.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceWell, I'll say that I've appreciated the conversations that I've been having directly with the governor, the conversations between our teams, as well as the conversations— [Crosstalk.] And the conversations with legislative leaders, like Speaker Carl Heastie, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. I'll say the question on the timeline is an active conversation. It's a productive one. I'll be sure to share anything publicly as soon as we have anything. I don't have anything additional to share beyond that right now. Thank you.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceWe've been encouraged by the conversations that we're having with our partners in Albany, and we've already seen a number of actions that would serve to reduce that deficit. When we're talking about the pied-� -terre proposal, that would reduce that deficit by about a half billion dollars every year. And that's part of the larger conversations we're having. But as you pointed out, this is an active process, one that we are still in the final portions of. And as we have any more updates on that, we will be sure to share them.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceThis was something that I think I shared at Friday's press conference, which is that it is part of an active conversation I'm having with the commissioner. This is unacceptable. And we cannot be asking New Yorkers to engage in responsible operations of a motor vehicle and then having those employed by the city flouting that, especially at the extent that's been reported. So, that is something that we are actively discussing.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceSo, I'll say on the first is that we are appreciative of working together with the governor on tackling not just a fiscal crisis, but also the affordability crisis. And the important thing for all of us in public office is to make the case to New Yorkers in whatever way in which they engage with the world. And many New Yorkers, it is the question of using their phone and social media. And those are not things that I came up with. To your second question, can you just—
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceThat decision that the chancellor made is a decision in direct response to calls from families across School District 3 and community members. And so, while those proposals have been removed at this time, those conversations are going to continue. And part of this just comes back to the ethos with which the chancellor leads to ensure that there is adequate time to actually speak to the community about any of these kinds of larger-scale proposals that are being made.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceThis is more of just a reflection of the fact that there were significant enough concerns that would make it worthy to have an extended conversation around this.
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the sourceThat is something that we will have to consider to dig into the actual details of that. You said it's sponsored by? And what is it called? Okay. We'll follow up on that. Thank you so much. ###
Zohran MamdaniCheck at the source
Every passage above is taken from this recording: NYC Mayor's Office transcripts, Transcript: Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul and FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee Announce Free Fan Events Across Five Boroughs.