By BigNY.com News Desk
New York, June 4, 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani updated New Yorkers on regionwide transportation and public safety preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying New York is ready to welcome more than one million visitors while keeping the city moving.
The June 4 briefing focused on subway safety, Midtown traffic controls, Penn Station crowd management, added MTA service, emergency alerts and coordination between city, state and regional agencies. The official Governor’s Office rush transcript stated that planning efforts across government, transportation and public safety have been underway for more than a year, with the MTA preparing extra subway service and customer ambassadors to help fans make connections to matches by shuttle bus or train.
Governor Hochul framed the World Cup as more than a sporting event, calling it a chance to showcase New York’s transit system, public safety capacity and ability to host major global events. According to the Governor’s Office, New York is preparing for the first match at NYNJ Stadium just over a week from the briefing, with officials expecting major fan movement across the region.
“We can handle this. We’ve got this. This is what we do best,” Hochul said, urging people not to stay away from the city during the tournament. “Come to the city, celebrate. Otherwise, you’re missing the excitement and the energy.”
Hochul said New York has already invested more than $150 million to deploy additional law enforcement in areas of the transit system where they are needed most. She also highlighted the installation of 33,000 cameras, including one in every subway car, along with platform barriers at nearly 150 stations and LED lighting throughout the subway system.
The governor said subway crime is at a 16-year low and is down another six percent since last May, while also stressing that officials “never say mission accomplished” and will continue security efforts through the tournament.
Mayor Mamdani said New York City “will not be parking the bus,” using a soccer reference to emphasize that the city intends to stay open, active and prepared. He asked New Yorkers to expect increased congestion and traffic delays, especially in Manhattan, and encouraged people to avoid driving into Midtown on match days.
On match days, the city will use dedicated bus and shuttle lanes on parts of Fifth Avenue, Sixth Avenue, 42nd Street, West 40th Street and West 41st Street. Access in those areas will be limited to New York/New Jersey stadium shuttle buses, MTA buses, official World Cup vehicles and emergency vehicles.
Officials said 33rd Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues, and 32nd Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, will be closed to traffic on match days to help manage crowds headed to New Jersey Transit and stadium shuttle services. The closures are expected to begin at least six hours before each match.
Truck deliveries will also be restricted in parts of Midtown from six hours before kickoff until three hours after each match concludes. Smaller vehicles will be exempt.
The MTA is preparing additional subway service on strategic lines, including more trains into Penn Station on game days and additional 7 trains toward Queens for Fan Fest events. Hochul also said construction work will be suspended on match days to prevent unnecessary backups.
“No city is better prepared than New York,” Hochul said, pointing to New York’s experience managing crowds, extra riders, online threats and major event transportation. She said roughly 100,000 people may take trains and buses to World Cup events on each match day, while the system normally handles about six million riders a day.
Public safety preparations include expanded presence from transit police, NYPD, New York State Police and the National Guard’s Joint Task Force Empire Shield at major transit hubs and special World Cup events. Hochul said officials have conducted tabletop exercises and one of the largest training exercises in the state at Moynihan Station.
The state also plans to deploy drones to help safeguard critical locations across the transit system, including bridges and tunnels, and to help manage the flow of people.
Emergency Management officials urged New Yorkers to stay informed during the tournament and throughout the busy summer season. Residents and visitors can text SUMMER26 to 692-692 for World Cup and summer event alerts, including traffic and emergency updates.
For Big Apple residents, the practical message is simple: expect Midtown disruptions, take mass transit, follow official alerts and plan ahead. For visitors, the message from city and state leaders is equally direct: New York is ready for the World Cup.
Official Sources
Governor Kathy Hochul official rush transcript: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-ahead-world-cup-governor-hochul-and-mayor-mamdani-update
Governor Hochul official World Cup transportation and safety release: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/ahead-world-cup-governor-hochul-and-mayor-mamdani-update-new-yorkers-transportation-and-safety
NYC Mayor’s Office briefing notice: https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/06/mayor-mamdani-and-governor-hochul-brief-new-yorkers-on-citywide-
MTA World Cup travel guide: https://www.mta.info/world-cup-2026-new-york-new-jersey
NYC DOT World Cup travel information: https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/worldcup.shtml
NYC Emergency Management Notify NYC SUMMER26 alerts: https://www.nyc.gov/site/em/about/press-releases/20260603_pr_nycem_notify-nyc-sms.page