Major League Soccer teams in the New York metropolitan area are aiming to capitalize on the momentum generated by the recent World Cup to attract new fans. Both New York City FC (NYCFC) and the Red Bulls are preparing for their first home matches since the tournament concluded, hoping the global event has inspired increased interest in the sport.
NYCFC head coach Pascal Jansen expressed optimism that the World Cup, hosted in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, would provide a boost for the team's upcoming game against the Chicago Fire. "Hopefully the World Cup has inspired a lot of people to come and watch more football," Jansen said Friday. The club actively engaged with local soccer fans during the World Cup, participating in watch parties and events, including setting up a "City Corner" at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for official group stage viewings.
These outreach efforts appear to be yielding results. Data from NYCFC indicated a 254 percent increase in ticket sales in the 40 days leading up to and during the World Cup compared to the 40 days prior to the tournament. For Saturday's match, ticket sales were up 35 percent, representing approximately 6,000 more tickets sold than for a comparable game last year.
Adding to the potential draw for Saturday's game are high-profile players, including former Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski, who is in his second MLS match, and U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper Matt Freese, making his first home appearance since the World Cup.
The Red Bulls are also anticipating a surge in attendance for their home game against Charlotte FC. While the club did not provide specific ticket sale figures, they implemented a promotion offering free tickets to first-time attendees at their stadium. A team spokesperson confirmed that all available tickets through this offer were claimed within a month, with many choosing to attend the Saturday match.
Both New York City FC and the Red Bulls are looking to convert the energy surrounding the World Cup into sustained fan engagement and attendance throughout the MLS season.