World Cup Ready: NYC Travel Information
New York City is excited to welcome the 2026 World Cup! The city is expecting a significant influx of visitors and fans traveling to and around our city this summer. New York City announced the Midtown transportation plan for each local match day to keep the city moving safely during busy match days.
From activating Soccer Streets near schools to redesigning streets like Sixth Avenue in Manhattan to expand pedestrian and biking space or installing a dedicated bus lane on Broadway in Queens, New York City is working to help New Yorkers travel better before the matches, and every day after.
Remember: Don't let your commute go into extra time—the easiest way to get to your destination is to take public transit, bike, or walk—avoid driving in Midtown.
On This Page
Related Links
Midtown Transportation Plan
On match days the city will provide temporary, dedicated corridors for World Cup-related transportation. Match days are designated as Gridlock Alert Days to discourage non-essential driving. We are working with local businesses to limit truck deliveries in Midtown on match days. NYC DOT issued a special event construction embargo which is now in effect for the World Cup.
Gridlock Alert Days
For this match up it's easy to pick the winner before the match even starts. If you're driving, skip the gridlock and parking: take public transit. Sit back, relax, and arrive on time. In a match of transit versus traffic? Transit wins. Every time.
Match days are designated as Gridlock Alert Days, as severe traffic congestion is expected in Midtown Manhattan with cascading impacts throughout the area. NYC DOT will monitor traffic and make real-time adjustments to traffic signals to keep New Yorkers and visitors safely moving.
Please plan to walk, bike, or take public transportation whenever possible.
- Saturday, June 13
- Tuesday, June 16
- Monday, June 22
- Thursday, June 25
- Saturday, June 27
- Tuesday, June 30
- Sunday, July 5
- Sunday, July 19
Match Day Bus Lanes
On match days, Official NYNJ Stadium shuttle buses will provide non-stop express service for ticketholders to and from Manhattan and the NYNJ Stadium in New Jersey via the Lincoln Tunnel. NYNJ Stadium shuttle buses will be making pick-ups and drop-offs at three Manhattan locations: the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Midtown North at Columbus Circle and Midtown East near Grand Central.
On each match day, to reduce traffic and facilitate mass transit, New York City will:
- Convert 42nd Street into a bus-only corridor from First Avenue to Twelfth Avenue.
- Dedicate the two eastern-most lanes of traffic along Sixth Avenue as bus-only lanes from 42nd Street to 59th Street.
- Utilize the two existing bus lanes along Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street to 59th Street.
- Convert West 40th Street between 8th Avenue and 11th Avenue and West 41st Street between 8th Avenue and 10th Avenue into bus-only blocks.
Access on these bus lanes will be limited to NYNJ Stadium shuttle buses, MTA local buses, Official World Cup affiliate vehicles and emergency vehicles.
The dedicated space on all five streets will begin six hours before local matches start and up to three hours after each match ends.
Lane Closures Near Penn Station
To accommodate street-level queues at Penn Station on match days, the City will close 33rd Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue to vehicles as well as 32nd Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue. Vehicles will not be permitted access to these blocks and should plan for detours. Closures begin at least six hours before each match. Most streets will reopen soon after each match begins with 33rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues reopening three hours after each match concludes.
Truck Delivery Restrictions in Midtown
The city is requesting that local businesses shift their delivery windows on match days, to help reduce congestion in Midtown. NYC is engaging with the trucking industry, as well as local businesses and residents to share this information.
Following best practices from similar large events in other cities, truck deliveries in Midtown will be restricted from six hours before each NYNJ Stadium match begins until three hours after each match concludes.
The truck restrictions will be in place only on match days between 30th and 60th Streets, from the East River to the Hudson River.
For more information on the definition of a truck visit the Trucks and Commercial Vehicles page.
English | Match Day Truck Delivery Restrictions flyer (pdf)
Restricted Delivery Hours
- Saturday, June 13 from 12pm to 11pm
- Tuesday, June 16 from 9am to 8pm
- Monday, June 22 from 2pm to 1am
- Thursday, June 25 from 10am to 9pm
- Saturday, June 27 from 11am to 10pm
- Tuesday, June 30 from 11am to 10pm
- Sunday, July 5 from 10am to 9pm
- Sunday, July 19 from 8am to 11pm
Alternative Delivery Options
Looking for alternative delivery solutions? Reach out to NYC DOT at FreightMobility@dot.nyc.gov to connect with Blue Highways and Microhub program participants or learn more about other delivery options such as the Off-Hour Deliveries incentive program.
Exemptions
Restrictions apply only to trucks. Smaller delivery vehicles such as cars, vans, and cargo bikes are exempt. Emergency vehicles, service vehicles, and essential delivery providers* operating within the zone are also exempt.
*Essential delivery providers include any providers making deliveries related to the protection of:
- life and safety (e.g., deliveries to hospitals, fire or police departments)
- critical commercial and community services (e.g., deliveries to shelters or care facilities, post office, waste collections)
- public health (e.g., related to pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biohazards)
- core infrastructure and utility operations (e.g., related to electricity, water, sewer, fuel, telecommunications, airport or transit)
- labor-law and workplace safety compliance
- and direct FIFA event operations
If you have questions please reach out to FreightMobility@dot.nyc.gov.
Public Awareness Campaigns
The city launched a series of public awareness campaigns to promote mass transit and advise against driving in Midtown on match days and warn against drinking and driving.
Take Transit: Don't Get Stuck in Traffic
For this match up it's easy to pick the winner before the match even starts. If you're driving, skip the gridlock and parking: take public transit. Sit back, relax, and arrive on time. In a match of transit versus traffic? Transit wins. Every time.
Assist a Friend in Getting Home Safe
Everyone can lend an assist to ensure no one who has been drinking gets behind the wheel. Together we can make this tournament unforgettable for the right reasons.
On match days, please be responsible – never drink and drive. Always drive sober.
