A new soccer pitch at PS 211 Elm Tree Elementary School in Corona, Queens, may be small in size, but it represents the beginning of something much larger. The field is the first of 26 new mini pitches planned as part of the next phase of the New York City Soccer Initiative (NYCSI), a citywide effort aimed at expanding access to safe, high-quality places for young people to play, learn, and stay active. 

With the FIFA World Cup coming to North America in 2026, the initiative is helping ensure that the excitement surrounding the tournament leaves a lasting impact in neighborhoods across New York City.

For many children, access to sport starts with access to space.

Mini pitches provide a place where students can play during school hours, participate in after-school activities, and connect with friends through sport close to home. They create opportunities for recreation, physical activity, and community engagement in areas where access to quality playing facilities may be limited.

The new field at PS 211 was delivered as part of a collaboration between New York City FC, the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, Etihad Airways, Capital Rx, and New York City.

The pitch features Pivot® Performance Turf, a fiber-filled turf system designed to support intensive use while reducing the maintenance requirements typically associated with traditional infilled surfaces.

For schools and community facilities, durability and availability are essential. Fields often serve hundreds of students and community members throughout the year, making reliable access just as important as performance.

By creating spaces that remain ready for use day after day, facilities can maximize opportunities for play and participation.

The pitch at PS 211 is the first step in a broader plan that will see 25 additional mini pitches installed across New York City's five boroughs before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Together, these facilities will help create more opportunities for young people to experience the game, whether they dream of playing professionally or simply enjoy spending time with friends after school.

Because while major tournaments may inspire the next generation, it is local fields and community spaces that allow those dreams to take shape.

Long after the final whistle of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, these pitches will remain.

They will host pickup games, school activities, youth programs, and countless hours of recreation for the communities around them. And for the students at PS 211, it all starts with a new place to play.