FIFA World Cup Digest – May 8

From June 11 to July 19, the New York City metropolitan area will host several events that will bring thousands of visitors to the region, impacting infrastructure and bringing the potential for various risks, including mass casualty events. This not only includes the FIFA World Cup, but also US Independence Day celebrations, the International Naval Review, and other annual summer events.

GNYHA’s emergency management team has worked on preparedness activities with government partners and members for the past few months. We are posting resources for these events on our website, and we are providing this digest series to summarize key information.

In this issue:

• FIFA World Cup Transportation Impacts
• Defense Health Authority – Health Surveillance Resources
• Clinical Readiness Trainings – Project ECHO
• May 14 US Navy Briefing on July Events and Treating Service Members
• GNYHA Sit Stat Event Risk Alert Service
• Key Dates and Events

High-Level Timeline of Events

• June 11–July 18: FIFA World Cup Activities and Games
• July 3-8: Sail250 and International Naval Review
• July 4: America250 Events

Scroll to the end of this digest for a comprehensive list of events and dates.

FIFA World Cup Transportation Impacts

Gridlock and impacts to mass transit are expected during FIFA game days and other major events, with large volumes of travelers expected. GNYHA recommends checking with relevant sites, authorities, and emergency management teams and sharing information about travel delays for these time periods with your staff, patients, and visitors.

Road Restrictions and Closures in Manhattan

On FIFA game days, planned traffic and transit disruptions will occur in Manhattan to facilitate FIFA-related traffic between New Jersey and New York. These planned disruptions are expected to start five hours before the beginning of the FIFA games at New York/New Jersey (formerly MetLife) Stadium, lasting through the games and two hours after the games end.

Current available details are (subject to change):

• Lincoln Tunnel: Partial lane closures dedicated to FIFA traffic between NJ and NY; normal traffic will be allowed
• 34th Street and 42nd Street: Full street closures to traffic expected from the East River to the Hudson River
• 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue: Partial lane closures for FIFA traffic between 42nd Street and 59th Street; expected delays for normal traffic

New Jersey Transit Impacts

New Jersey Transit (NJT) has a dedicated website for commuters to learn about impacts to their commutes on FIFA game days.

NJT rail operations will be heavily modified during game days, with certain time periods that prohibit commuters from using NJT rail services. A summary of these impacts is below (subject to change; check NJT’s website for service-specific instructions):

• Pre-match, four hours before game start
  • Commuters can use inbound trains to New York Penn Station, but only FIFA game ticket holders will be able to depart at Secaucus Junction
  • Commuters travelling outbound from New York Penn Station will not be able to use services that are restricted to FIFA game ticket holders
  • NJT will cross-honor tickets with the PATH train to enable travel to Hoboken or Newark Penn Station
  • Trains to/from Hoboken will bypass Secaucus Junction
• Post-match, three hours after game end
  • Trains normally inbound to New York Penn Station will terminate in Newark, allowing for transfers to the PATH train (no direct New York trains)
  • Commuters can use trains outbound from New York Penn Station during this time
• GNYHA is seeking to clarify impact timelines and learn when normal operations will resume on game days

Additionally, NJT bus operations for routes 2, 78, 124, 219, and 329 will be modified, with a relocated bus stop at Secaucus Junction.

MTA Subways, Bus, and Rail

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) anticipates significant changes to bus service in Midtown Manhattan on World Cup match days, especially between 34th Street and 59th Street from river to river. Changes may include diversions, skipped stops, reroutes, and cancellations. Long Island Rail Road and subway service will operate as usual via New York Penn Station, although riders can expect increased crowds.

FIFA game shuttles will operate out of Port Authority and a location near Grand Central Terminal. Crowding at these locations before and after game times is anticipated.

The April Emergency Preparedness Coordinating Council meeting materials have summary slides outlining these impacts.

Defense Health Authority – Health Surveillance Resources for FIFA World Cup

The Defense Health Agency’s Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division has developed several national public health surveillance and preparedness resources for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These resources include a briefing document outlining global public health events and maps outlining base camps, FIFA host cities, and risks of importing prevalent diseases. Additional information and these resources can be found on our website.

Clinical Readiness Trainings – Project ECHO

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue’s Regional Emergency Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) is hosting training sessions on clinical responses to threats potentially associated with the World Cup. Previous session recordings on topics—including medical surge, load balancing, and response to vehicle ramming attacks—are available on the hospital’s website. Two additional trainings will be offered this month.

Please complete registration for these sessions here. For more information, contact NYU Langone Health’s Amanda Chang.

May 14 Briefing by US Navy on July Events and Treating Service Members

In conjunction with the United States Navy, GNYHA will host a briefing on the upcoming International Naval Review (INR) 250 events, taking place July 3 to 8 in the Port of New York and New Jersey. These activities are expected to have significant regional impacts, alongside other America250 and FIFA World Cup festivities.

During the briefing, United States Navy subject matter experts will review protocols for providing health care services to injured service members, applicable benefits, and the role of US Navy Fleet Liaisons. The session will also discuss the Medical Command Cell that will be at the Javits Center during the event.

The briefing will be held Thursday, May 14, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the GNYHA offices (555 W 57th Street, New York, NY). A virtual option will be available; however, in-person attendance is encouraged. Please register in advance and indicate whether you will attend in person or virtually.

GNYHA Sit Stat Event Risk Alert Service

GNYHA is leveraging our Sit Stat situational awareness platform to provide email and text alerts for scheduled special events this summer, including FIFA match days and related high-visibility activities across the region. Alerts are intended to support real-time situational awareness for member facilities by highlighting emerging issues that may affect health care operations, patient surge, or travel.

Through Everbridge’s Risk Intelligence Monitoring Center, Sit Stat risk alerts will monitor special events, with coverage focused on FIFA-related locations (including the NY/NJ Stadium area), Sail250 and INR viewing areas, and nearby jurisdictional watch parties in Westchester, Long Island, and New Jersey. Notification alert types include risk categories such as crime, fire, hazmat, civil unrest, and transportation disruptions. Additional details on alerting parameters will be shared as events are finalized. Members can register for this GNYHA-provided service and select alerts they want to receive by geography using this form. There is no charge to GNYHA members.

Key Dates and Events

Below is a snapshot of key dates and events occurring in the New York metropolitan area.

FIFA Games at New York/New Jersey Stadium (formerly MetLife Stadium)

FIFA-sponsored Fanfests in New York and New Jersey

Key July 3 to 9 Events

Other Notable New York City Events