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As FIFA World Cup 2026 action arrives in the New York and New Jersey region, Resorts World New York City has joined local efforts to bring the tournament experience directly to residents through a free fan destination in Queens.
The casino operator announced that it is sponsoring the NYNJ World Cup 26 Queens Group Stage HQ, a public gathering space where supporters can watch matches, attend community events and take part in activities linked to the tournament. The venue opened on June 11 and will operate through June 27, covering the group-stage period of the competition.
The initiative arrives as the World Cup makes its debut in the New York/New Jersey region, with nearby MetLife Stadium scheduled to host eight tournament matches. Organizers expect large numbers of visitors and football fans to travel through the area during the competition.
Free Fan Destination Opens in Queens
Located at Louis Armstrong Stadium inside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the Queens Group Stage HQ was created as a central meeting point for supporters who want to follow the tournament outside the stadium environment.
Visitors can watch live broadcasts on large screens while also taking part in family-oriented programming, community activities and local cultural events. Food vendors from the area are also participating throughout the fan zone’s operation.
Admission is free, although attendees must obtain tickets before entering.
The fan destination forms part of broader efforts to ensure local communities can participate in the World Cup festivities, even if they do not attend matches in person.
RWNYC’s sponsorship reflects the growing importance of Queens during the tournament. The borough sits close to the competition venue and is expected to welcome visitors from around the world throughout June and July.
Community Groups Included in Opening Events
To mark the launch, Resorts World New York City partnered on the opening concert for the fan zone. The event featured rapper NAS as the headline performer and took place on June 12.
The company also donated 100 VIP tickets to several community organizations across Queens. Beneficiaries included Jamaica YMCA, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens, Showing Hearts, Southern Queens Park Association, Queens Economic Development Corporation, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, Heartshare, RiverFund and Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.
The contribution was designed to ensure local organizations and residents could participate in the celebration surrounding the tournament’s arrival.
Michelle Stoddart, Senior Vice President of Community Development at Resorts World New York City, highlighted the company’s long-standing connection to the borough.
“Queens has been Resorts World’s home since day one, and there’s no better way to welcome the world to our borough than by giving our neighbors a free, front-row seat to the World Cup,” said Stoddart in a press release.
“This fan zone is about more than soccer, it’s about bringing families together, supporting local small businesses, and showing the millions of fans coming to New York exactly what makes this community special. We’re proud to be a sponsor, and proud to keep doing what we’ve always done here: being a good neighbor.”
Borough-Wide Activities Planned During Tournament
The sponsorship forms part of a larger program of World Cup-related events taking place throughout Queens.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards recently announced a schedule of watch parties and public viewing events across multiple neighborhoods, stretching from Flushing to the Rockaways. Funding for those activities comes through NYC Tourism + Conventions.
The planned events include screenings at community venues and cultural institutions throughout the tournament period.
Queens is often referred to as the “World’s Borough” because of its extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity. More than 160 languages are spoken across the borough, making it one of the most diverse urban areas globally.
Organizers believe the World Cup presents an opportunity to showcase that diversity to an international audience while generating economic activity for local businesses.
For Resorts World New York City, which has operated in Queens since 2011 and recently became the city’s first live table games casino, the sponsorship represents another community-focused initiative tied to one of the largest sporting events ever hosted in North America.