Approximately 1.2 million visitors are expected in New York and New Jersey (NYNJ) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Eight games will be played at MetLife Stadium, including the Final on July 19. Additionally, four facilities in the NYNJ region will serve as Team Base Camps, including for Brazil and Senegal.
With the anticipated number of visitors coming close to that of the New York City Marathon, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has authorized a Special Event Construction Embargo that will run for the duration of the World Cup.
During the Embargo, only emergency work that has received an emergency number from the DOT, including utility cover openings, may be performed.
If your project is in a covered location and has previously obtained non-emergency permits, those permits are suspended until the end of the Embargo. Lane closure set-ups will also need to be removed during the Embargo; the area will need to be cleared and the lanes reopened.
Non-emergency hoist work that requires lane closure cannot take place during the Embargo unless a waiver has been approved.
Waivers may be requested from the DOT and must include detailed descriptions of work, timeline, and any relevant drawings.
What Is the Construction Embargo Period?
The embargo begins Monday, June 8 at 12:01 am and continues until Monday, July 20 at 11:59 pm.
What Are the Covered Locations?
- Area bounded by 59th Street / Central Park South on the North, 57th Street on the South, 2nd Avenue on the East and 8th Avenue on the West; All inclusive
- Area bounded by 42nd Street on the North, 30th Street on the South, FDR Drive on the East and 12th Avenue / Joe DiMaggio Highway on the West; All inclusive
- 9th Avenue between West 59th Street and West 23rd Street
- Columbus Circle
- 8th Avenue between Columbus Circle and West 23rd Street
- Central Park West between Columbus Circle and West 86th Street
- Broadway between Columbus Circle and West 34th Street
- 7th Avenue between West 59th Street / Central Park South and West 34th Street
- 6th Avenue between West 59th Street / Central Park South and West 23rd Street
- 5th Avenue between East 85th Street and 23rd Street
- Grand Army Plaza between West 58th Street and 5th Avenue / East 60th Street
- Madison Avenue between East 59th Street and East 34th Street
- Park Avenue between East 59th Street and East 34th Street
- 86th Street Transverse between Columbus Avenue and Park Avenue
- 85th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- 84th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- West 81st Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
- 79th Street Transverse between Columbus Avenue and Park Avenue
- 66th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
- 66th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- 65th Street Transverse between Columbus Avenue and Park Avenue
- 59th Street (Entire Length)
- 57th Street between 12th Avenue / Joe DiMaggio Highway and 2nd Avenue
- 51st Street between 8th Avenue and 2nd Avenue
- 43rd Street between 12th Avenue / Joe DiMaggio Highway and Vanderbilt Avenue
- 43rd Street between Lexington Avenue and Tudor City Place / Dead End
- 42nd Street (Entire Length)
- 34th Street (Entire Length)
- West Drive between Central Park South and 86th Street Transverse
- East Drive between Grand Army Plaza and 86th Street Transverse
- Center Drive between West Drive and East Drive
- Terrace Drive between Central Park West and 5th Avenue
How Do I Apply for a Waiver?
The DOT requires waivers to be submitted by email to specialevents@dot.nyc.gov. The subject line must include “World Cup / Waiver Request.” In the email, In the body of your email, describe in detail the scope and timeline of work, provide proof that the work is critical, and attach any relevant drawings.
Where Can I Find More Information?
The DOT’s website includes detailed information on all construction embargoes.
