[category]
[title]
You don't need a World Cup ticket to take part in New York's biggest soccer celebration this summer. You just need a marker, a little creativity and a completed activity sheet.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the New York New Jersey Host Committee and the Whitney Museum of American Art have launched a new citywide arts initiative that will distribute free, artist-designed activity guides across all five boroughs during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And there's a pretty nice reward waiting at the end: anyone who completes the guide (or simply shows a photo of it) can redeem it for free admission to the Whitney through July 31, while supplies last.
The colorful poster-style guide was created by designer Rich Tu, whose vibrant artwork also serves as the official FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host City poster. Available in both English and Spanish, the guide features drawing exercises, prompts and interactive activities. They'll be handed out at World Cup watch parties, Open Streets events and community partner locations throughout the city and they'll also be available to download online.
New York has embraced its role as one of the tournament's host regions, with everything from outdoor watch parties to soccer-themed public art installations popping up across the city. Now, the latest project wants to connect the tournament's energy with New York's cultural institutions, making the experience accessible beyond the stadium gates.
"The World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring New Yorkers together," Mayor Mamdani said in a statement. "We want every New Yorker to be part of this moment—not just in the stadium, but in their neighborhoods, their schools, and the public spaces that make New York the greatest city on earth."
For Tu, the project is also deeply personal. "When I was a kid, I always loved activities that let my creativity run wild and it's an honor to share my love of soccer and design with the city that I love," he said.
The partnership also comes with a built-in excuse to visit one of the city's top museums. On July 12, Tu will lead a special program at the Whitney in collaboration with Poster House as part of Free Second Sunday and West Side Fest, a weekend-long celebration involving more than 20 cultural organizations across Manhattan's west side.
If you've been looking for a reason to spend an afternoon doodling, New York just gave you one—and it comes with free museum admission.