Midtown Traffic Restrictions During World Cup

Midtown Manhattan is set to face significant traffic restrictions. Mayor Zoran Mamdani announced on Friday that the area will be under a “traffic alert” for the duration of the eight matches in the 2026 World Cup, anticipating large crowds of soccer fans.

The transportation plan outlines measures such as transforming 42nd Street into a bus-only corridor, creating a no-vehicle zone close to Penn Station, and imposing strict limits on truck deliveries across a 30-block radius during game days.

Many businesses in Midtown feel that the delivery restrictions—scheduled to be in effect for six hours prior to games and three hours afterward—are excessive. Statis Antonakopoulos, who owns multiple Carnegie Diner and Cafe locations, expressed concern over the chaos these changes might bring.

He remarked, “It’s going to cause madness. I doubt the number of spectators for this festival will surpass the usual tourist crowd from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve. I believe the turnout and excitement will be quite similar, yet we don’t enforce any delivery limits during that busy time.”

Andrew Riggy, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, criticized the city’s last-minute announcement of the restrictions. “We’ve had years to prepare for the World Cup, so it’s frustrating for restaurants and bars to receive such sudden notice about delivery limitations,” he said. “Now we’re left scrambling to adjust and ensure we can still serve the World Cup fans.”

City officials maintain that these measures are essential to reduce disruption on game days. Roads near Penn Station will be closed to accommodate ticket holders lining up. City Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn urged residents to avoid driving into Manhattan and suggested using public transit instead to attend their favorite game-related events during the summer.