Lasry describes distributed fan fests and community soccer programs
Lasry says the original plan was a single fan fest at Liberty State Park, but the host committee created a distributed network of fan experiences. He says it facilitated more than 180 public viewing licenses and over 5,000 young people participated in soccer programming.
Our original planning contemplated a single centralized fan fest at Liberty State Park.
But as our plans evolved, we saw an opportunity to create something broader, a distributed network of fan experiences across New York and New Jersey.
In the city, that meant free public fan experiences across all five boroughs, bringing the tournament directly into communities and allowing New Yorkers to participate regardless of whether they held a match ticket.
We also wanted to harness the creative energy that is unique to New York and give communities the ability to create their own World Cup experiences.
We pursued a bottom-up strategy, helping facilitate more than 180 public viewing licenses across all five boroughs, so restaurants, bars, and community venues could host watch parties and become part of the tournament.
We worked with organizations including the YMCA of Greater New York City, in the community, South Bronx United, Street Soccer USA, Gotham FC, NYC FC, and the U.S.
Soccer Foundation.
Across the region, more than 5,000 young people participated directly in clinics, pitch days, tournaments, and other community programming.
And we also expanded access to matches for community members, including New York City public school soccer players and hospitality workers who helped welcome visitors throughout the tournament.