5 Things Every FIFA World Cup Fan Must Do Before Leaving NYC

NYC is in Week 3 of World Cup 2026, and both the city and its incredible visitors are swept up in Cup fever. Playbill has been thrilled to share with you 5 Broadway Shows For FIFA World Cup Fans to See This Summer, 5 Things World Cup Fans and Broadway Theatergoers Have in Common, and an awesome playlist of Broadway Tunes celebrating the World Cup (and Knicks in Five!).

This week we dive a bit deeper into New York City and all it has to offer fans of soccer, the arts and the city’s incredible locales. As the world has taken over the five boroughs, turning NYC into the ultimate global playground of football shirts, viral food vlogs, and match-day magic, we are here to help you maximize your remaining time before the tournament ends. To look beyond the stadium gates and experience the iconic, high-octane culture that makes this city legendary, here are 5 things we suggest every international World Cup fan must do before leaving NYC thanks to DiscoverNYC.

1. Swap the Stadium for a Broadway Mega-Hit!

International audiences (and soccer fans) have been packing Times Square with flags, jerseys and chants. If you think the atmosphere at New York New Jersey Stadium is wild, wait until you hear a live Broadway cast belt out an 11 o’clock number! Attending a Broadway show is the ultimate New York cultural rite of passage. With crowd favorites like MJ The Musical, The Lion King, Chicago and
Hamilton, no matter what language is native, stories like these (and all on stage) bring together the power of theatre into one global celebration that speaks to every single fan. Book tickets to all shows currently on Broadway.

2. Explore the Culinary Playground of NYC’s Five Boroughs!

Midtown hot dogs, pizza slices and pretzels are iconic and magical to all with many tourists currently blowing up TikTok and Instagram trying classic NYC food for the first time. But don’t just stick to the fastest of foods; New York City is known for a diverse array of different cultures and neighborhoods celebrating a vast array of cultures and foods in the world. From European and South American hotspots in Queens, to Caribbean takeovers in Brooklyn, Italian to authentic Asian and African every culture in between, get out there and explore! And if you’re in Midtown looking for a great spot, check out our On The Town Dining Guide with outstanding (and unique) choices around the Theatre District!

3. Experience a Broadway Matinee (or Take on a Double-Header)!

A Broadway (or off-Broadway) matinee is perfect way to help maximize your time in NYC and attend a show, especially when you’re here for a short trip. With matches kicking off at various times, the ultimate tip for a free afternoon is catching a matinee performance, then heading straight to a local venue, bar or fan zone for the evenings’ soccer match! With many shows having matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (and insider tip: some shows like Oh, Mary!, Titaníque, The Great Gatsby and The Rocky Horror Show have matinees on Thursdays!), there’s always a date and time for you to catch a show with your schedule! Click here to see Broadway’s current weekly schedule.

4. Explore NYC and Our World Cup Fan Hubs!

It’s amazing to see New York City turn into a collective World Cup fan zone! Every bar, and restaurant in Midtown, coupled with locations like Rockefeller Center’s “World Cup Fan Village” or Brooklyn Bridge Park’s “Home of Soccer” have created one incredible cross-city experience for fans of the game! And exploring the vast city and its fan hubs is easy when it comes to riding the MTA or taking the multiple Water Taxi
and NYC Ferry
options for stunning views and fun. Make it a day: Start at one locale, grab some lunch (or a pint), then venture to the next. There’s nothing like a full day in NYC and if your favorite team is part of the mix, it’s going to be the Best. Day. Ever.

5. Take Stunning Photographs of the NYC Skyline!

A trip to New York City is not complete without the ultimate “I was there” photo. Celebrate your team’s win, or the excitement of your forever memorable trip to the greatest city in the world with the most iconic backdrop in the world. From the iconic SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and its immersive observation deck/art installations to the unforgettable, Top of the Rock
with its panoramic views of NYC (and even a ride on The Beam!), to a sunset water cruise on one of Classic Harbor Line’s beautifully crafted boats, lean more about the most memorable ways to grab those photos that will last forever thanks to our DiscoverNYC attractions and experiences guide.

Don’t let your New York story end when the match clock buzzes or you’re checking in for your flight home. Grab a slice, secure your seats on the Great White Way, and experience the unmatched magic that makes this city the ultimate world stage. Click here to explore and DiscoverNYC. Also, be sure to lock in your Broadway tickets on Playbill today by checking out our Broadway Guide here