World Cup Games to Stream on NYC Pay Phones

New York City is enhancing its celebration of soccer's growing popularity by offering free live World Cup game viewings on hundreds of LinkNYC kiosks. Starting this Friday, June 19, these modernized pay-phone stations, equipped with 55-inch screens, will broadcast matches across 200 locations in all five boroughs. This initiative, the first time the LinkNYC system has streamed live sports, aims to bring the excitement of the tournament to New Yorkers wherever they are.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that the World Cup will now be accessible to everyone, from those commuting to those running errands. The viewings will occur every Friday match day and will culminate with the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, which will be played at MetLife Stadium in nearby New Jersey. This program is part of a broader city effort to make the 2026 World Cup accessible, including restaurant deals and fan zones.

The LinkNYC kiosks, launched in 2016, provide free WiFi, tablets, charging ports, and domestic calls, serving over 21 million residents and visitors. Their screens, previously used for public service announcements, will now offer a larger-than-phone viewing experience for passersby. The goal is to create spontaneous moments of joy and elevate the World Cup experience for New York City. While the screens will not have audio, the kiosks offer free calling capabilities.