Unlike in previous years, there will be no fan zone with live match broadcasts at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin during the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"A fan zone is typically set up on Strasse des 17. Juni (17th of June Street) between the Victory Column and the Brandenburg Gate for the European Championship and World Cup. However, no fan zone is planned for the 2026 World Cup," it's stated in the city's official website.
The latest post was marked as a "correction" as it had previously stated that a fan zone was being planned. However, this was most likely a mistake.
Such event would need to be funded by a private organizer, according to Berlin Senator for the Interior Iris Spranger.
"Of course I would have been delighted if a centrally organized event planned by the private sector could take place at the Brandenburg Gate this year. To be perfectly honest: Berlin is bidding to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and for that reason alone, we should consider whether a semi-final and final involving the Germany team could also be viewed at the Brandenburg Gate," Spranger told dpa.
A spokesperson for the senate department for mobility, transport, climate protection and environment explained that due to the late kick-off times, "a fan zone would not be economically viable for the organizers."
The World Cup begins on June 11 and the final is on July 19.
