Today, the New York City Soccer Initiative (NYCSI) partners – New York City FC, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, Etihad Airways, and Judi Health – alongside the Department of Education celebrated the opening of a new mini-soccer pitch at JHS 62 Ditmas in Brooklyn.
The new pitch is part of NYCSI’s “26 for 26” commitment to build 26 additional mini-pitches across the five boroughs in celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and to create a lasting soccer legacy for New York City following the tournament. Ten of those pitches have opened or will open in communities across the city in 2026.
NYCSI was launched in 2016 as a first-of-its-kind $3 million initiative to create and maintain 50 mini-pitches across New York City and expand free soccer programming for the next generation of New Yorkers. The initiative helped spur other cities to launch similar efforts to create mini-pitches and expand access to free, high-quality soccer programming.
Following the completion of the original 50 pitches in 2021, NYCSI partners committed to building an additional 26 mini-pitches across New York City in celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Through the next phase of NYCSI, the partners are building on the initiative’s impact and harnessing the momentum from the world’s biggest sporting event to create a lasting legacy of accessible soccer, safe places to play, and community programming for young New Yorkers across all five boroughs.
“The World Cup was a monumental moment for soccer in New York City and across the country, and its impact will be felt for generations, but the work has not stopped with the final whistle,” said Brad Sims, New York City FC CEO. “At New York City FC, we believe we have a responsibility to build on that extraordinary momentum and ensure that the world’s game is accessible to every community across our city. Today’s ribbon cutting is another proud moment as we continue delivering on our promise to create safe, high-quality spaces where young people can play, grow, and develop a lifelong connection to the beautiful game. These pitches will help ensure the World Cup leaves a lasting legacy for the next generation of New Yorkers.”
“This has been an extraordinarily special summer for soccer in New York City,” said Kate R. Smith, Executive Director of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. “We are proud to help carry the excitement and community spirit after the final whistle through the New York City Soccer Initiative 2.0 - expanding access to safe places to play and free soccer programming for youth and families. This mini-pitch is part of that lasting legacy, and we are thrilled to celebrate the community and partners who made it possible.”
“Providing students with safe, modern, and engaging spaces to learn and play is essential to supporting their success both inside and outside the classroom," said Kevin Moran, New York City Public Schools Deputy Chancellor of Operations. "We are grateful for our partnership with New York City FC and everyone who helped make this pitch possible. This new field will expand opportunities for physical activity, teamwork, and community building, ensuring that students have access to a high-quality recreational space where they can grow, connect, and thrive for years to come.”
Since NYCSI’s launch, more than 20,000 young people have been positively impacted through its pitches and programs. NYCSI has partnered with city agencies, community-based organizations, and young leaders across New York City to broaden its reach and provide opportunities for young people to play, learn, and connect through soccer.
Through the continued expansion of its network of mini-pitches and free programming, NYCSI aims to engage a total of 50,000 young people and ensure that the impact of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ continues to be felt in communities throughout New York City long after the tournament concludes.
In addition to creating free and safe places to play, NYCSI aims to provide the nation’s largest connected soccer network through infrastructure and by providing free soccer programming for young people throughout the five boroughs. Programming is delivered by City in the Community (CITC) – the nonprofit foundation proudly supported by New York City FC – and is designed to use the power of soccer to promote health, education, leadership, and community connection.
“The New York City Soccer Initiative is about creating lasting access to the game, and meaningful programming is a critical part of bringing that vision to life,” said Bailee Eaglin, Executive Director of City in the Community. “After a summer when young people across New York City had the chance to experience soccer on the world’s biggest stage, it’s important that they have opportunities to experience the game for themselves in their own communities. Through free programming across the five boroughs, we’re proud to help bring these pitches to life and ensure they remain places where young New Yorkers can connect with soccer for years to come.”
The opening at JHS 62 Ditmas is part of a broader year of investment in soccer infrastructure across New York City. In total, ten NYCSI mini-pitches have opened or will open in 2026, bringing new places to play to communities across the city while advancing the “26 for 26” commitment.
The new JHS 62 Ditmas pitch will provide students and the surrounding community with a high-quality space for soccer and physical activity while creating new opportunities for young people to participate in programming that supports their development both on and off the pitch.
“Joining NYSCI on this pitch development program through our partnership with New York City FC is an honor,” said AJ Loiacono, CEO of Judi Health. “Few things are more rewarding than supporting the growth and development of our city's youth, and what better way than to improve access to places to play the world’s most popular sport for tomorrow’s leaders, on and off the pitch.”
“As Principal of JHS 62 Ditmas, I am incredibly excited to see this new soccer pitch become part of our school community,” said Marielena Santiago, Principal of JHS 62 Ditmas. “Every day, we strive to create opportunities that support our students’ growth both inside and outside the classroom, and this beautiful new space will do exactly that. It will give our students a place to stay active, build friendships, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and simply enjoy being kids. We are deeply grateful to the New York City Soccer Initiative and its partners for investing in our students and helping create a lasting resource that will benefit our school and community for years to come.”
New York City Soccer Initiative 2026 Mini-Pitch Sites
- JHS 62 Ditmas – Brooklyn
- PS 5 Ellen Lurie – Manhattan
- Lafayette Middle School – Brooklyn
The remaining seven sites to be built in 2026 will serve the rest of the city's boroughs, with three locations planned in The Bronx, two in Queens, and one each in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
The original New York City Soccer Initiative created 50 mini-pitches at parks and public schools across all five boroughs between 2016 and 2021. Together, the original network and the 26 new pitches will continue to expand access to soccer and provide lasting community resources for young New Yorkers.
To learn more about the New York City Soccer Initiative and find a mini-pitch near you, visit nyc.gov/site/fund/initiatives/city-soccer.page.
