NYC Street Closures Planned For World Cup

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said on May 29 that New York City will impose a Midtown transportation plan on each of the eight local 2026 FIFA World Cup match days, including bus-only corridors, street closures and truck-delivery limits. The plan covers the dates of June 13, June 16, June 22, June 25, June 27, June 30, July 5 and July 19, according to NYC DOT. City officials said the measures are meant to move ticket holders to and from MetLife Stadium while limiting spillover disruption in Manhattan. Mamdani urged New Yorkers to use mass transit and account for route changes and restricted vehicle access. ### Which days are affected, and why is the city treating them differently? NYC DOT listed eight match days — Saturday, June 13; Tuesday, June 16; Monday, June 22; Thursday, June 25; Saturday, June 27; Tuesday, June 30; Sunday, July 5; and Sunday, July 19 — as days when severe congestion is expected in Midtown Manhattan. The agency said each will be designated a “Gridlock Alert Day” to discourage non-essential driving. (nyc.gov) The Mayor’s Office said the city is coordinating with the NYNJ Host Committee, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NJ TRANSIT and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on the match-day plan. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in the city release that subways have capacity to keep the city moving during the tournament. (nyc.gov) ### What streets are being turned over to buses and shuttles? 42nd Street will be converted into a bus-only corridor from First Avenue to Twelfth Avenue on match days, NYC DOT said. The agency also said the two eastern-most lanes on Sixth Avenue from 42nd Street to 59th Street will be bus-only, while the two existing bus lanes on Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street to 59th Street will be used for match-day operations. (nyc.gov) West 40th Street between Eighth Avenue and 11th Avenue and West 41st Street between Eighth Avenue and 10th Avenue will also become bus-only blocks, according to the DOT plan. Access on those corridors will be limited to NYNJ Stadium shuttle buses, MTA local buses, official World Cup affiliate vehicles and emergency vehicles. NBC New York reported that the dedicated bus space will begin six hours before each local match starts and remain in effect for up to three hours after each match ends. (nyc.gov) ### What does this mean for drivers, deliveries and regular Midtown traffic? Truck deliveries in Midtown will be restricted beginning six hours before each NYNJ Stadium match and lasting until three hours after it ends, NBC New York reported, citing the city plan. (nyc.gov) The Mayor’s Office said the administration is working with local businesses to limit deliveries during and around matches. (nbcnewyork.com) NYC DOT said a special event construction embargo is already in effect for the World Cup period. The agency said only emergency work may proceed in embargoed areas and that previously issued non-emergency permits are suspended for the listed dates and locations. ### What changes are tied to Penn Station and New Jersey-bound service? (nbcnewyork.com) NJ TRANSIT will limit outbound rail service from Penn Station to World Cup ticketholders beginning about four hours before matches and will reopen regular access three hours after matches conclude, NBC New York reported. Match tickets and NJ TRANSIT tickets will be checked before entry, the station plan says. (nyc.gov) To handle street-level queues, 33rd Street between Sixth and Eighth avenues and 32nd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues will be closed to vehicles, NBC New York reported. The same report said commuters not attending matches can use PATH from 33rd Street or NJ TRANSIT bus service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal as alternate options. (nbcnewyork.com) ### Where can New Yorkers check the latest closures before they travel? NYC DOT said its World Cup page carries the Midtown transportation plan, match-day dates and travel guidance. The agency advises people to walk, bike or take public transportation whenever possible and to avoid driving in Midtown. NYC311 said its street, highway, bridge and tunnel closures page is updated weekly and includes an interactive map of current and planned closures. (nbcnewyork.com) The Mayor’s Office said New Yorkers should plan ahead for street closures and route changes on the eight match days. June 13 is the first date on the city’s match-day list, and July 19 is the last. NYC DOT said the World Cup travel page and NYC311 closure tracker will carry the current advisories as those dates approach. (nyc.gov) (on.nyc.gov)