The City of Binghamton will host three community World Cup watch parties in June after being awarded New York State grant funding.
City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham announced May 15 that the city was awarded $25,000 through the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program, which is administered by Empire State Development.
The grant program “aims to extend the economic and tourism benefits of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” according to the release, and Empire State Development issued over $317,000 in grants to support “locally organized public viewing events.”
Binghamton’s proposal was one of 12 selected across the state, and will allow for the city to host three free public viewing events downtown.
“Binghamton will be a regional destination for World Cup soccer this summer as the only recipient in the Southern Tier to be awarded funding through the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program,” Kraham said. “Binghamton’s official watch parties will be an exciting way to support local small businesses, shine a spotlight on downtown Binghamton and our public spaces, and bring residents together to cheer on Team USA. My thanks to New York State for selecting the City as a recipient of this funding.”
Here’s what you need to know about the watch parties.
City of Binghamton to host three FIFA World Cup watch parties
According to the press release, the following community watch parties will be held in Binghamton;
USA vs. Paraguay
USA vs. Australia
USA vs. Turkey
These events are presented by Airbnb, co-hosted by American Outlaws Binghamton Chapter #183, and supported by the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and Visit Binghamton.
“Athletics have the ability to bring everyone together from all walks of life. I appreciate Governor Hochul selecting the City of Binghamton for these events,” said New York State Senator Lea Webb. “This city is incredibly deserving and I am so excited for our community to have the ability to watch these soccer games together and support our local businesses.”
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: $25K awarded for World Cup watch parties. Binghamton will have three
Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
