Freedom 250 Announces FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone Washington, D.C., on the National Mall

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Freedom 250 today announced the launch of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone Washington D.C. on the National Mall, bringing the excitement and global spirit of soccer to the nation's capital as the United States kicks off the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone Washington D.C. will be set against the backdrop of America's 250th anniversary celebration and will serve as a premier destination for fans from across the country and around the world to gather in the nation's capital. The experience will celebrate the global spirit of competition, unity, and freedom while welcoming millions of visitors to Washington, D.C. during one of the world's largest sporting events.

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone Washington D.C. will feature live match viewing, interactive exhibits, youth programming, cultural showcases, food, music, and family-friendly activations designed to engage visitors of all ages. From first-time fans to lifelong supporters, the experience will highlight the global reach of soccer and its unique ability to bring people together across nations, cultures, and generations.

"The FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone on the National Mall will help welcome the world to America during the nation's 250th year," said Keith Krach, CEO of Freedom 250. "This will be a place where people from every corner of the globe come together through sport, freedom, and shared human experience in the shadow of America's most iconic monuments."

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone Washington D.C. on the National Mall reflects Freedom 250's broader mission to unite Americans and welcome the world through experiences that celebrate freedom, unity, competition, and the enduring American spirit.

"The FIFA Fan Zone Washington, D.C. is a result of an extraordinary partnership that reflects the global spirit of the FIFA World Cup 2026," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "We are proud to bring the celebration of the world's game to the National Mall, and together, we are creating a global experience in the heart of the nation's capital that unites people from all backgrounds and connects this historic FIFA World Cup 2026 with America's 250th anniversary through football, culture, and community."

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone, Washington D.C. will be open to the public, and there is no cost to enter. Additional details, including dates and participating partners, will be announced in the coming weeks.

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will feature a record 104 matches across three host countries — Canada, Mexico, and the United States — and in 16 Host Cities, beginning on Thursday, June 11 in Mexico City and culminating in the final on Sunday, July 19 at New York-New Jersey Stadium.

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Event Details

• Dates: Thursday, June 11, 2026 – Sunday, July 19, 2026
• Opening: Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET
• Closing: Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET
• Location: The National Mall, Washington, D.C. 20024, between 3rd and 4th Street
• Admission: Free and open to the public
• Schedule: Click HERE for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ schedule, and to stay up to date on the Freedom 250 FIFA Fan Zone, please email mediaops@freedom250.org.

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Hours of Operation

FIFA Fan Zone Opens:
1 hour prior to the start of the first match being shown. (Daily)

FIFA Fan Zone Closes:
1 hour following the conclusion of the final match being shown. (Daily)

Group Stage (Thursday, June 11 – Saturday, June 27, 2026): Matches starting after 7:00 PM ET will not be shown; however, all USA games will be shown regardless of time or date.

Round of 16 fixtures (Sunday, June 28, 2026) - Finals (Sunday, July 19, 2026):
All matches will be shown regardless of time.

Saturday, July 4, 2026: Open until Midnight ET.

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Match Viewing Schedule — June

• Thurs 6/11 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM
• Fri 6/12 — Event: 2PM–12AM | Matches: 3PM, 9PM USA
• Sat 6/13 — Event: 2PM–9PM | Matches: 3PM, 6PM
• Sun 6/14 — Event: 12PM–10PM | Matches: 1PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Mon 6/15 — Event: 11AM–9PM | Matches: 12PM, 3PM, 6PM
• Tues 6/16 — Event: 2PM–9PM | Matches: 3PM, 6PM
• Sun 6/17 — Event: 12PM–10PM | Matches: 1PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Thurs 6/18 — Event: 11AM–9PM | Matches: 12PM, 3PM, 6PM
• Fri 6/19 — Event: 2PM–9PM | Matches: 3PM USA, 6PM
• Sat 6/20 — Event: 12PM–7PM | Matches: 1PM, 4PM
• Sun 6/21 — Event: 11AM–9PM | Matches: 12PM, 3PM, 6PM
• Mon 6/22 — Event: 12PM–8PM | Matches: 1PM, 5PM
• Tues 6/23 — Event: 12PM–10PM | Matches: 1PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Wed 6/24 — Event: 2PM–9PM | Matches: 3PM, 6PM, 6PM
• Thurs 6/25 — Event: 3PM–1AM | Matches: 4PM, 7PM, 7PM, 10PM, 10PM USA
• Fri 6/26 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Matches: 3PM, 3PM
• Sat 6/27 — Event: 4PM–10:30PM | Matches: 5PM, 5PM, 7:30PM, 7:30PM
• Sun 6/28 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM (Round of 32 begins)
• Mon 6/29 — Event: 12PM–7:30PM | Matches: 1PM, 4:30PM
• Tues 6/30 — Event: 12PM–8PM | Matches: 1PM, 5PM

Match Viewing Schedule — July

• Wed 7/1 — Event: 11AM–7PM | Matches: 12PM, 4PM
• Thurs 7/2 — Event: 2PM–10PM | Matches: 3PM, 7PM
• Fri 7/3 — Event: 1PM–9PM | Matches: 2PM, 6PM
• Sat 7/4 — Event: 12PM–8PM | Matches: 1PM, 5PM (Round of 16 begins)
• Sun 7/5 — Event: 3PM–11PM | Matches: 4PM, 8PM
• Mon 7/6 — Event: 2PM–11PM | Matches: 3PM, 8PM
• Tues 7/7 — Event: 11AM–7PM | Matches: 12PM, 4PM
• Wed 7/8 — No matches; event site closed (Quarter-Finals begin)
• Thurs 7/9 — Event: 3PM–7PM | Match: 4PM
• Fri 7/10 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM
• Sat 7/11 — Event: 4PM–12AM | Matches: 5PM, 9PM
• Sun 7/12 — No matches; event site closed
• Mon 7/13 — No matches; event site closed (Semi-Finals begin)
• Tues 7/14 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM
• Wed 7/15 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM
• Thurs 7/16 — No matches; event site closed
• Fri 7/17 — No matches; event site closed
• Sat 7/18 — Event: 4PM–8PM | Match: 5PM (Bronze Final)
• Sun 7/19 — Event: 2PM–6PM | Match: 3PM (Final)

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Media Credentials

Media may apply for credentials HERE. Approved media will receive confirmation with details regarding credential pick-up, access zones, camera placement, parking, security sweeps, and road closures. Credentials are non-transferable.

• Media may only bring equipment through the designated media entrances.
• A valid email address must be registered with your appropriate media outlet.
• Using an email not associated with your outlet may cause a delay.
• Do not use one email address for your entire media outlet — this may result in inaccurate or denied requests.

For media inquiries, contact media@freedom250.org.

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About Freedom 250

Freedom 250 is the national, non-partisan organization leading the celebration of our Nation's 250th birthday. Working together with the White House Task Force 250, federal agencies, and the Commission, Freedom 250 serves as the official public-private partnership that connects, aligns, and amplifies national and local efforts to deliver the defining presidential moments of this anniversary year.

At its heart, Freedom 250 is creating a movement of citizens, organizations, companies, and leaders from across the country to honor our Nation's proud history, cherish our God-given freedoms, and build the Golden Age of Opportunity for the next 250 years. Other signature events include the Great American State Fair, International Naval Review, Sail4th, Salute to America (DC July 4), and the Patriot Games, among others.

For more information or to join the movement, visit Freedom250.org.
To receive the most up-to-date information and official press releases, sign up here.