NEW YORK (March 3, 2026) - On Tuesday, March 3, the Empire State Building will rotate in the colors of the flags of the three host countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – to mark 100 days to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Earlier today, the Empire State Building hosted a special tower lighting ceremony with Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey Host Committee; JT Batson, CEO and Secretary General of the U.S. Soccer Federation; Peter Augruso, President of Canada Soccer; Iñigo Riestra López, Secretary General of the Mexican Football Federation; and The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascots – Maple™, Zayu™, and Clutch™. After the ceremony, the special guests toured the Observatory Experience – which was named the #1 Top Attraction in New York City for the fourth consecutive year in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do – and posed for photos on the building’s 86th and 102nd Floor observation decks.

“The Empire State Building has long served as a global gathering place and an iconic New York landmark, and there is no event that brings people together quite like the World Cup,” said Tony Malkin, Empire State Realty Trust chairman and CEO. “As we prepare for 2026, we are proud to shine our tower lights in honor of the three host nations and look forward to the arrival of fans from around the world at our iconic observation decks.”

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will mark the first time the tournament is hosted by three countries – Canada, Mexico, and the United States – and will expand to 48 teams that compete across 16 host cities throughout North America. The tournament will kick off on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The New York New Jersey region will host multiple matches, which will include the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final at MetLife Stadium.

“Today marks 100 days to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026, and there’s no more iconic place to celebrate than the Empire State Building, illuminated tonight in the colors of the three host nations,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey Host Committee. “We're proud to host eight matches in New Jersey, culminating with the Final. From skyline to shoreline, the energy is building across our region as we prepare to welcome the world for the largest sporting event in history."

More information about the tower lights and Empire State Building tickets can be found online, or text CONNECT to 274-16 for real time updates. Hi-res imagery and b-roll of the lighting ceremony and tower lights can be downloaded here.