The Whitney Celebrates the World Cup
Photograph by Max Touhey
This summer, the Whitney welcomes the world.
As the World Cup 2026 transforms New York City into the global capital of football, the Whitney Museum of American Art welcomes the world as a vibrant hub for art, sport, and community. Experience the landmark Whitney Biennial 2026, featuring artists from across the globe, alongside live match screenings, global sounds, and hands-on art making—all just steps from the High Line. Take in iconic views from our terraces and enjoy more ways to visit for free than ever before with special Free Friday Nights, Free Second Sundays, and free admission every day for visitors 25 and under.
Located in the Meatpacking District at the southern entrance to the High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art is shaped by the understanding that American art has always developed in dialogue with the world. This summer brings that perspective into focus as New York hosts World Cup 2026.
An independent program of the Whitney Museum of American Art, not affiliated with FIFA or the NY/NJ Host Committee.
Free Experiences During the World Cup
Free Friday Nights
Every Friday, 5–10 pm
Admission to the Whitney is free for all visitors on Fridays, 5–10 pm, with access to exhibitions, DJ sets, live performances, special programming, and cocktails on the terraces. This summer, Friday nights feature music inspired by the nations competing in the World Cup.
Free Second Sundays
June 14 and July 12
Admission to the Whitney is free for all visitors on the second Sunday of every month, with access to exhibitions, all-ages artmaking inspired by works on view, tours, the Whitney’s restaurants, and city views. A perfect free museum day in NYC for families visiting during the World Cup.
Always Free Visitors ages 25 and Under
The Whitney is free every day for visitors 25 and under. Book a timed ticket or, to enjoy unlimited visits, sign up for the Free 25 and Under Anytime Pass walk-in access all summer, and beyond.
World Cup Special Events
Mixtape Vol. 3 at Free Friday Nights, January 23, 2026. Photograph by Filip Wolak
Special Programming During Free Days and Nights
Global Soundscapes
Live DJ sets and performances inspired by the traditions of participating nations.
Artmaking and Refreshments
Sports-themed artmaking for all ages, paired with seasonal treats from Frenchette.
Neighborhood Festival
Join us for West Side Fest, a neighborhood-wide celebration with special programs and events from more than 20 cultural institutions on Manhattan’s West Side.
On View this Summer
Whitney Biennial 2026
On view through August 23, the Whitney Biennial 2026 brings this into focus. Featuring 56 artists—more than twenty of whom were born outside the United States, with roots across Latin America, the Middle East, East Asia, and Africa—the exhibition reflects the international conditions that also define the tournament. Curated by Marcela Guerrero and Drew Sawyer following visits to more than 300 studios worldwide, the Biennial considers how contemporary American art is shaped across geographies and lived experience. The Museum’s collection extends this dialogue, with works by artists including Hopper, Rothko, and Basquiat. The building itself is worth the trip, with four floors of open-air terraces where you can watch the sun set over the Hudson with a drink from Studio Bar.
American Classics and Skyline Views
“Untitled” (America)
A monumental installation featuring icons like Edward Hopper, Mark Rothko, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Mabel Dwight: Cool Head, Warm Heart
Dwight came to New York at the turn of the century as an illustrator and later fell in with the downtown artists who frequented the Whitney Studio Club, a precursor to the Museum. She ultimately found her voice in portraying her constant subject: the people and places of New York.
The Terraces
Step outside onto four levels of outdoor terraces for panoramic views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline.
Photograph by Max Touhey
Explore the Meatpacking District
The Whitney is steps from the High Line, Little Island, Chelsea Market, Hudson Yards, and some of the city’s most celebrated dining, shopping, and nightlife. Enjoy special discounts and benefits in the neighborhood when you show your Whitney Membership card or same-day admission ticket.
Suggested Activities in and Around the Whitney
Discover out our guide of highlights and artworks for making the most of your visit to the Whitney and the surrounding area during the World Cup.
Free Friday Nights and Second Sundays
The Whitney Museum
Tickets to the World Cup can get pricey, but at the Whitney, you can enjoy several opportunities for free admission: Free Friday Nights, Free Second Sundays, free tickets every day for visitors 25 and under, and more. This summer, Free Friday Nights (5-10pm) will feature music inspired by the nations competing in the World Cup, cocktails, and terrace views—oh, and art! Our Free Second Sundays are full of opportunities for fun for all ages, from artmaking and story hour with NYPL to gallery tours, classes, and more. Everyone under 25 years old can always book a timed ticket or sign up for the Free 25 and Under Anytime Pass for walk-in access all summer and beyond.
Georgia O’Keeffe’s Summer Souvenirs
“Untitled” (America), Floor 7
We all know the feeling of being so inspired by a place that we want to gather a part of it as a souvenir. Before moving out west permanently, Georgia O’Keeffe collected sun-bleached bones during her summer sojourns to New Mexico to bring back to New York to remind her of the landscape she loved. “When I got to New Mexico that was mine,” she once said. “I’d never seen anything like it before but it fitted to me exactly. Like something that’s in the air—it’s just different. The sky is different, the stars are different, the wind is different.” O’Keeffe’s paintings of the Southwest are now world famous. This work captures the essence of the desert and communicates the artist’s tender regard for that place. Don’t miss Summer Days in our exhibition “Untitled” (America). Plus, discover artworks by other renown American artists including Edward Hopper, Mark Rothko, and Jean-Michel Basquiat on view.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Whitney Biennial 2026, Floors 1, 5, 6, and 8
The Whitney Biennial, the Museum’s flagship exhibition, brings together 56 artists and collectives from around the globe working across film, painting, sculpture, performance, and new media. Twenty-one artists were born outside the United States, and many others live and work across borders. The exhibition reflects how artists engage the complexities of identity and American culture today, forming connections to England, France, Colombia, Chile, Japan, Iraq, Egypt, and beyond. This parallels the international exchange that defines New York during the World Cup.
Andy Warhol, (Bob Colacello and Paul Morrissey), 1973, from Family Album. Dye diffusion transfer print (Polaroid): sheet, 4 1/4 × 3 3/8 in. (10.8 × 8.6 cm); image, 3 3/4 × 2 7/8 in. (9.5 × 7.3 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. 2014.29.536. © 2026 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Licensed by Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
An Empty Track Ready for Action
Andy Warhol Family Album, Floor 3
Get ready for the World Cup games with this photograph of an empty track. Bob Colacello, former editor of Interview magazine and Paul Morrissey, director and producer, were just two of the many celebrities and creatives who were a part of Warhol’s vibrant social world. Carrying a camera wherever he went, Warhol transformed his daily life into artistic material. Andy Warhol Family Album features portraits, candid shots of collaborators and friends, scenes from his Montauk home, and images of travels in Europe. Discover the 732 Polaroid photographs on view on Floor 3, and listen to Bob Colacello discuss his relationship to Warhol in the audio guide.
Gansevoort Beach, 2024
Cool Off at a Riverside Oasis
Gansevoort Peninsula Athletic Field, Hudson River Park
Practice your kicks at the soccer pitch across the street from the Whitney in Hudson River Park. After your workout, cool off with the river breeze on the nearby white-sand beach. Relax in a vibrant beach chair while taking in Day’s End by David Hammons, the monumental yet delicate sculpture hovering just offshore. The public artwork traces the outline of a pier that once stood here—an important gathering place for artists and the surrounding community. Learn more by exploring the Whitney’s podcast or taking our self-guided walking tour.
Photograph by Max Touhey
Stroll above the City Buzz
The High Line, Manhattan’s West Side
Pair your visit to the Whitney with an art and nature-filled stroll along the High Line—the southern entrance is just steps away from our building. Formerly a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side, the High Line walking path features exciting outdoor art projects, views of nearby neighborhoods, and diverse gardens. Feel the gentle breeze, take in the new blooms, and catch a view of Kelly Akashi’s two mournful and meditative artworks on the terrace. Monument (Altadena) serves as a memorial to the losses suffered in the 2025 Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, and Inheritance (Distressed), is a delicate doily form exploring how artists grapple with artistic and familial histories.
Photograph by Filip Wolak
Discover our Neighborhood
Whitney Museum and Neighboring Institutions
Looking to make a full day of your visit to the Whitney? The museum is at the center of a vibrant West Side corridor, just steps from the High Line, Little Island, Chelsea Market, and Hudson Yards. Present a Whitney Membership card or same-day admission ticket to receive special offers at participating neighborhood restaurants, shops, and cultural destinations. Plus, on July 10-12, 2026 join us for West Side Fest, a free multi-site celebration of the rich cultural ecosystem of the West Side. Enjoy an array of special programs hosted by over 22 organizations.
Tips and Visitor Information
Practical Tips
Transportation
The subway runs 24/7 — tap your contactless card or phone (OMNY)
Tipping
18–20% is standard at restaurants and bars
Water
NYC tap water is clean and safe to drink, and free at the Whitney Museum
Currency
Credit and debit cards accepted everywhere
Safety
The Meatpacking District is one of Manhattan’s safest neighborhoods
Weather
June–July in NYC is warm (25–32°C / 77–90°F) — dress light and bring water
Getting to the Whitney Museum from MetLife Stadium
By public transit from East Rutherford, NJ
NJ Transit
Meadowlands Rail to Secaucus Junction, transfer to Penn Station (about 30 min total)
Subway
A/C/E from Penn Station to 14th St – 8th Ave, walk 8 minutes south along the High Line or Washington St
Bus
Coach USA 351 from MetLife to Port Authority, then walk or take the A/C/E one stop
Dining at the Whitney
Studio Bar (Floor 8)
Enjoy cocktails, wine, and light bites while soaking in panoramic Hudson River views on the terrace. Additionally, admire Dyani White Hawk’s floor-to-ceiling mosaic installed on the back wall of the cafe.
Frenchette Café and Bakery (Floor 1)
Enjoy French-style coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, either to-go or relaxing in the bright indoor space. Dine surrounded by the lush greenery of Rashid Johnson’s living artwork, New Poetry, which exists both inside and outside of the building. Accessible without museum admission.
Accessibility
The Whitney is fully wheelchair accessible. We offer assistive listening devices, large-print guides, ASL-interpreted programs, and sensory-friendly hours. Service animals are welcome. Plus, visitors with disabilities receive a discounted rate and admission for one care partner is included for free. Learn more about access at the Whitney.
Explore the Whitney in Your Language
Visitor information and audio guides for the Whitney Museum is available in multiple languages. Visit our Spanish-language visit page and the free Whitney Guide on Bloomberg Connects, which offers translated exhibition and artist information in over 50 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish.
Become a member
A Whitney membership pays for itself after just a few visits and gives you unlimited access all summer long — through the World Cup, the Biennial, and beyond.