THE PALEY MUSEUM CELEBRATES THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ WITH A BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBIT, LIVE MATCH WATCH PARTIES, AND A ROBUST SCHEDULE OF SPECIAL EVENTS
Thursday, May 7, 2026
All 104 World Cup Matches Screened in The Paley Museum’s Brand-New, State-of-the-Art Theaters on the Big Screen Featuring Dolby Atmos® Surround Sound
Match Screenings Include English Broadcasts from FOX Sports and Spanish Broadcasts from Telemundo/Peacock
A Red Carpet FIFA World Cup 2026 Preview Event with Soccer Legends and FOX Sports Broadcasters Alexi Lalas, Carli Lloyd, Stu Holden, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, and Rob Stone
A Blockbuster, Immersive Exhibit: The Global Game: Soccer in the United States and the FIFA World Cup™ Showcasing Historic Artifacts and Memorabilia, Archival Footage, and Interactive Experiences
Family-Friendly Experiences Including a VR Soccer Simulator, Engaging Soccer Skills Activation and Arts & Crafts Activities
Paley Members Receive Free Admission
New York, NY, May 7, 2026 – The Paley Museum, where media, sports, gaming, and entertainment come together, today announced a dynamic celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, exploring the global cultural impact of one of the world’s most beloved sports while highlighting the United States’s growing place in the game and its role as a host nation.
The Paley Museum will be transformed into the ultimate destination for fans to experience one of the world’s biggest sporting events through fully immersive, interactive world-class events, exhibits, and experiences throughout the month-long FIFA World Cup Tournament and beyond. Programming will include a FIFA World Cup 2026 preview event featuring U.S. Soccer legends and FOX Sports broadcasters, live screenings of all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in The Paley Museum’s newly renovated theaters with state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos surround sound, with English-language coverage from FOX Sports and Spanish-language coverage from Telemundo/Peacock, and a blockbuster immersive exhibition featuring artifacts and experiences from FIFA, FOX Sports, Telemundo/Peacock, U.S. Soccer, and Major League Soccer, among additional partners. The experience will also include family programming and activities, gaming experiences, and more, all taking place at the Museum’s Midtown Manhattan location at 25 West 52 Street.
“From the electrifying energy of every match on the big screen in our state-of-the-art theaters to a blockbuster exhibit, gaming, and more—The Paley Museum is the destination for fans to experience the excitement around this historic, global event,” said Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media. “We extend our tremendous thanks to our partners at FIFA, FOX Sports, Major League Soccer, U.S. Soccer, and Telemundo/Peacock for their incredible support.”
“As we prepare to welcome the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to North America, Major League Soccer is proud to partner with The Paley Museum on an exhibition that celebrates the game’s global impact and its growth in the United States. The momentum behind soccer across the region has never been stronger, and we’re excited to be part of an experience that connects fans to the tournament and sport in new and meaningful ways,” said Don Garber, Commissioner, Major League Soccer.
The Paley Museum will host a special red carpet World Cup preview event featuring U.S. Soccer legends and FOX Sports broadcasters, Kicking Off FIFA World Cup™ with FOX Sports. The event will take place on Thursday, May 21 at 6:30pm, and renowned FOX Sports broadcasters will share their expert analysis, behind-the-scenes stories, and key insights into the teams, players, and storylines set to define the tournament. The evening will also feature the New York premiere of the new FOX Sports documentary Summer of '94, offering a nostalgic look back at a pivotal moment in soccer history for the iconic 1994 U.S. Men’s National Team.
Joining in the can’t-miss conversation will be Alexi Lalas, U.S. Men's National Team soccer legend, National Soccer Hall of Famer, Olympian, and FOX Sports Lead Studio Analyst; Carli Lloyd, two-time FIFA World Cup™ champion, two-time FIFA Women's Player of the Year, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and FOX Sports Analyst; Stu Holden, U.S. Men’s National Team, Olympian, and FOX Sports Lead Game Analyst; Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, Mexico national team legend, three-time FIFA World Cup veteran, and new FOX Sports FIFA World Cup 2026 Analyst; and moderator Rob Stone, FOX Sports Studio Host.
At the core of the programming, The Paley Museum will present live watch parties of all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches in its newly renovated theaters, with English-language coverage from FOX Sports and Spanish-language coverage from Telemundo/Peacock. Taking place on the big screen with state-of-the art Dolby Atmos surround sound, these exciting watch parties allow fans to experience every moment of this historic tournament—from the opening match on Thursday, June 11, through the thrilling championship final on Sunday, July 19.
The celebration also features a major exhibit, The Global Game: Soccer in the United States and the FIFA World Cup™, scheduled to open on Thursday, June 11, on par with the tournament’s opening match in Mexico City. The exhibit explores the rise of soccer in the United States alongside the global impact of the FIFA World Cup™ including early involvement in FIFA to hosting the landmark 1994 tournament, and the growth of Major League Soccer. Presented in collaboration with FIFA, MLS, the U.S. Soccer Federation, FOX Sports, and Telemundo/Peacock, the exhibit includes historic artifacts including game-worn jerseys from American soccer stars Matt Turner and Tim Ream, cleats, signed memorabilia, archival footage, and iconic match moments.
The exhibit features an exciting photo opportunity presented in collaboration with FOX Sports, where guests can step into the role of commentator and relive the excitement of game-winning goals and memorable plays, alongside featured elements from former World Cup soccer players and current FOX sports broadcasters Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden. To top it all off is a soccer training experience, featuring a practice field with three interactive skill stations, where visitors can test their abilities through a penalty kick challenge, precision targetshooting, and a dribbling course with cones—designed to engage guests of all ages. The exhibit will run through Sunday, July 26.
Fans can also experience the thrill of the sport in the PaleyGX Gaming Studio with soccer themed-games and a VR soccer simulator. PaleyGX wil host a live gaming tournament on Sunday, June 14, and “Tips & Tricks” instructional sessions designed to enhance gameplay with one session geared toward adult gamers on Thursday, July 16 and one for younger gamers on Saturday, July 18. PaleyGX is the ultimate family-friendly gaming & VR studio with game tournaments, plus all the latest systems and hottest games, for both casual gamers and avid players of all levels.
Rounding out the experience will be screenings of The Away Game from the FIFA Museum and Roku’s Soccer Meets America, and defining matches from soccer history from the Paley Archive; family-friendly activities and creative programming for younger fans including craft activities where young soccer fans can design colorful soccer balls and flags from the tournament’s participating countries; and a photo opportunity against a digital screen, where guests can capture a special moment alongside the current U.S. Men’s National Team. This FIFA World Cup 2026 celebration takes place during an unprecedented year for Paley as it celebrates its historic 50th anniversary. From the grand reopening of its newly renovated, state-of-the-art theaters and reimagined public spaces at The Paley Museum, to the opening of the Paley Archive at the Beverly Hills Public Library, Paley serves as a vibrant gathering place for both the public and industry leaders, as well as visitors from around the world.
Upcoming programs include an inspiring commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, live podcast recordings, songwriter and artist showcases, and much more.
Tickets are now on sale for the May 21 PaleyLive event to all Paley President’s Circle, Patron Circle, and Partner Members; to Paley Individual, Family, and Supporting Members on Friday, May 8 at noon ET; and to the general public on Monday, May 11 at noon ET.
Paley Members enjoy early access to tickets at a discount. Paley Membership also includes free admission year-round to the Museum, VIP invitations, admission to the Paley Archive library, access to the PaleyGX Gaming Studio and VR Experience, and more. A perfect gift for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, you can learn more about these benefits when you visit Paley Membership.
For more updates on Paley Events please visit, Paley’s Facebook page, and follow @PaleyCenter on X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Threads, and on TikTok: @thepaleycenter.
Media Contacts:
Teresa Brady, The Paley Center for Media, 212.621.6757, tbrady@paleycenter.org
PMK Entertainment, paleycenter@pmkentertainment.com
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About The Paley Center for Media
Founded by media pioneer William S. Paley in 1975, and chaired by Frank A. Bennack, Jr. since 1991, The Paley Center for Media is the world’s leading nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to preserving media history and exploring media’s powerful shaping influence on culture and society. The Paley Center for Media, which owns the iconic Philip Johnson-designed Paley Museum, has proudly made its home in New York City for fifty years. The Paley Museum is where media, sports, gaming, and entertainment come together and has been recognized as New York City's "Best Museum" and "Best Children’s Party Place" for three years in a row.
During the year, the Paley Center produces unmatched programs and respected educational classes for the public and industry. Paley’s best-in-class public programming offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences and exclusive access to today’s most talked about names through memorable programs that are entertaining, educational, and captivate audiences across generations. On the industry side, programs educate, inform, and lead the conversation on the rapidly evolving media landscape. Paley’s unmatched convening power offers unparalleled access to top industry CEOs, world dignitaries, and global thought leaders. At the heart of the institution is the Paley Archive—the largest publicly accessible collection of its kind—with more than 160,000 programs. Often referred to as a national treasure, this invaluable resource is available at The Paley Museum in New York and at the Beverly Hills Public Library in California and plays a central role in Paley’s respected educational initiatives that serve K-12 educators and students throughout the year.