Airbnb Launches FIFA World Cup 2026 Legacy Project with New Community Soccer Pitches in New York and New Jersey
(IN SHORT) Airbnb has launched a new FIFA World Cup 2026™ community legacy initiative with the groundbreaking of a soccer mini-pitch at P.S. 112 Bronxwood in the Bronx. The project is part of a more than $1 million investment that will fund five mini-pitches across New York City and New Jersey to expand youth access to football and recreational spaces. Developed in partnership with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, New York City Public Schools, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the initiative aims to ensure the World Cup leaves long-term benefits for local communities. The programme also forms part of Airbnb’s larger $5 million Host City Impact Program tied to the tournament.
(PRESS RELEASE) SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 2026-May-8 — /Travel PR News/ — Airbnb has launched a new community legacy initiative tied to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with the groundbreaking of a soccer mini-pitch at P.S. 112 Bronxwood in the Bronx, marking the beginning of a wider investment programme aimed at expanding youth access to sports and recreation across the New York–New Jersey region.
The mini-pitch project forms part of an investment of more than $1 million by Airbnb designed to ensure the long-term social impact of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ extends beyond the tournament itself. In total, five new soccer mini-pitches will be developed across New York City and New Jersey through the initiative.
In addition to the Bronx location, new mini-pitches are planned for M.S. K394 in Brooklyn, P.S. 102 Bayview in Queens, P.S. R373 in Staten Island, and Florence Avenue Elementary in Irvington, New Jersey. The programme is being delivered through a partnership involving Airbnb, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, New York City Public Schools, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together public officials, education leaders, sports organisations, and community partners to celebrate the launch of the project. Following the event, local students participated in football activities as part of the lead-up to the mini-pitch opening.
Janaye Ingram, Global Director of Community Partner Programs and Engagement at Airbnb, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to ensuring the World Cup delivers tangible long-term benefits to local communities. She noted that the mini-pitches are intended to increase access to football for children and families who may otherwise have limited opportunities to participate in the sport.
New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said access to safe recreational spaces can contribute positively to student wellbeing, concentration, and development. He added that the project will provide young people with new opportunities for physical activity and community engagement.
The initiative also received support from New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, New York State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, and New York City Council Member Kevin Riley, all of whom emphasized the importance of ensuring the World Cup creates accessible and lasting community benefits throughout the region.
Alex Lasry, Chief Executive Officer of the NYNJ FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Committee, said the mini-pitches are intended to help grow the sport locally while inspiring future generations of players across New York and New Jersey. Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, added that the project contributes to a broader movement focused on using sports infrastructure to support youth development, social connection, and community revitalisation.
The mini-pitch initiative forms part of Airbnb’s wider Host City Impact Program, a $5 million investment designed to support projects benefiting local communities before, during, and after the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The initiative also contributes to a broader commitment by the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the NYNJ Host Committee to create 26 new play spaces across under-resourced communities in New York and New Jersey.
According to the organisations involved, more than 50 mini-pitches have already been built across New York City’s five boroughs since 2016, providing thousands of young people with access to free football programmes and recreational facilities.
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SOURCE: Airbnb, Inc.
