{"id":3107,"date":"2026-04-16T10:52:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T14:52:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=3107"},"modified":"2026-04-16T10:52:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T14:52:32","slug":"ahead-of-fifa-world-cup-2026-nyc-council-introduces-legislation-to-boost-small-businesses-expand-bathroom-access-and-prepare-for-tourism-boom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2026\/04\/16\/3107\/","title":{"rendered":"Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026, NYC Council Introduces Legislation to Boost Small Businesses, Expand Bathroom Access, and Prepare for Tourism Boom"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York metro area will host 8 matches expected to generate $3.3 billion in economic impact<\/em><\/p>\n

Bill package also includes plan to create \u2018Thierry <\/em>Henry Way\u2019 in Manhattan, \u2018Pel\u00e9 Way\u2019 in Queens<\/em><\/p>\n

NEW YORK, NY \u2013<\/strong> Today, the New York City Council will introduce a package of legislation advancing a citywide strategy to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and ensure the global tournament delivers meaningful economic opportunities for small businesses and New Yorkers across all five boroughs. The proposed bills would require the implementation of a cultural passport program to encourage visitation across the city, a calendar of activities, a plan to expand public bathroom access, an outreach and education program to spread awareness of common scams impacting tourists, and World Cup-inspired co-names for several thoroughfares and public places, including Thierry Henry Way<\/em> in Manhattan and Pel\u00e9 Way <\/em>in Queens. The legislative package will be introduced during the Council\u2019s Stated Meeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the World Cup coming to New York City this summer, we have a unique opportunity to drive economic activity and showcase our city to the world,\u201d said Speaker Julie Menin<\/strong>. \u201cThis package ensures that the benefits don\u2019t only stay in a few neighborhoods, but reach small businesses and communities across all five boroughs. By centering equity and accessibility, we can make this a moment that delivers for all New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs New York City prepares to host an event of this scale, we also have to be honest about the moment we\u2019re in,\u201d said Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams<\/strong>. \u201cThere are real concerns around affordability, access, and whether everyday New Yorkers will feel included in what is being built around them. This legislation is about being intentional in how we respond to that. A cultural passport program creates a clear pathway to connect residents and visitors to institutions, small businesses, and community spaces across all five boroughs so the benefits of this moment are felt more equitably across the city.  If we are moving forward with something of this magnitude, then it has to be done with a clear focus on who benefits and how. That means expanding opportunity, supporting local economies, and ensuring communities see a real return from an event happening in their own city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll eyes will be on New York during our World Cup matches and we are going to make sure that neighborhoods across the city can make the most of the moment,\u201d said Majority Leader Shaun Abreu.<\/strong> \u201cBy helping New Yorkers and visitors find the watch parties, festivals, small businesses, and cultural corridors tied to the teams playing, we\u2019ll spread the celebration and economic boost citywide. And to prepare for more people in the streets celebrating, we\u2019re also investing in extra infrastructure to support crowds by extending bathroom hours and adding facilities in high-traffic areas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNew York City welcomes millions of visitors each year to experience everything our city has to offer and, in doing so, support our local economy,\u201d said Deputy Leader Sandra Ung<\/strong>. \u201cBut for too many, that experience can be undermined by bad actors looking to take advantage of tourists unfamiliar with our city. With global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, it is more important than ever that we are prepared.  By creating clear, multilingual educational materials that highlight common scams, provide safety tips, and offer straightforward guidance on how to report fraud, my legislation is about giving visitors the tools, information, and confidence they need to enjoy their time here safely. I\u2019m proud to join Speaker Menin and my colleagues to advance this package of legislation to ensure New York City is ready to welcome the world, as well as make sure our city fully benefits from this incredible moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Chair of the Council\u2019s Economic Development Committee, I\u2019ve been focused on the City\u2019s preparations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup,\u201d said Council Member Virginia Maloney.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m excited to introduce legislation naming Thierry Henry Way in Manhattan and Pel\u00e9 Way in Queens honoring two global soccer icons who helped shape the modern game. Thierry Henry Way will be in the district I\u2019m proud to represent running alongside Rockefeller Center, where hundreds of thousands of fans will gather for free viewing parties. It\u2019s fitting that we\u2019re connecting this global moment to our local communities and businesses ensuring that New Yorkers are a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience whether in our stadiums or on our streets.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we look ahead to the global stage of the FIFA World Cup and the excitement it brings to communities through events like Fan Fest, it\u2019s only fitting that we honor one of the game\u2019s greatest icons here at home,\u201d said Council Member Shanel <\/strong>Thomas-Henry. <\/strong>\u201cCo-naming this street \u2018Pel\u00e9 Way\u2019 is a tribute not just to Pel\u00e9\u2019s extraordinary legacy, but to the unifying power of soccer to bring people together across cultures, languages, and generations. In a district as diverse and vibrant as ours, this moment reflects who we are and the stories that shape our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest edition of the tournament in history, expanding from 32 to 48 national teams and featuring 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New York City, with significant potential for economic growth, tourism, and global visibility. The New York\/New Jersey Host Committee has projected the eight matches will generate approximately $3.3 billion in total economic impact, including $1.7 billion in visitor spending, support for over 26,000 jobs, and $432 million in state and local tax revenue.<\/p>\n

The legislative package being introduced today comes after an oversight hearing in February hosted by the Committee on Economic Development, chaired by Council Member Virginia Maloney,to examine the City\u2019s preparation efforts leading into this summer\u2019s tournament. The bills in the legislative package include:<\/p>\n