Art of the Game: Soccer Meets Public Art
Across the five boroughs of New York City and into New Jersey, a series of oversized soccer ball sculptures is turning ordinary streets, parks and museum plazas into a vibrant gallery of sport‑inspired art.
The project, titled “Art of the Game,” was launched to coincide with the upcoming FIFA World Cup and is a joint effort between the FIFA World Cup 2026 NY/NJ Host Committee and the nonprofit ARTS 14C, with the late philanthropist Agnes Gund providing crucial backing.
A Collaboration Between Art and Sport
Organizers invited institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum and the Brooklyn Museum to nominate artists, ensuring that the works would reflect a dialogue between contemporary practice and the global language of football.
Artists, Auctions, and the Road Ahead
Twelve of the installations will become permanent fixtures, while five will be offered at auction, with proceeds split between the artists and the organizing nonprofit, supporting both creative endeavors and community programs.
The sculptures were fabricated at Powerhouse Arts in Gowanus, Brooklyn, and later assembled at Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, where they were installed in high‑traffic locations ranging from Washington Heights to Jackson Heights.
Participating creators include Hank Willis Thomas, Katherine Bernhardt, Fred Wilson, Bony Ramirez and Tomokazu Matsuyama, whose works will be among those highlighted for the charity auction.
Beyond the visual spectacle, the initiative underscores a broader conversation about how major sporting events can leave a lasting cultural legacy, turning stadiums and fan zones into platforms for artistic expression.