The “Art of the Game” initiative brings 23 giant soccer ball sculptures by leading contemporary artists to public spaces across New York City and northern New Jersey.
Art Meets the World’s Biggest Sporting Event
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 arrives in the New York metropolitan area, a new public art initiative is transforming the region into an expansive outdoor exhibition. Titled “Art of the Game,” the project features 23 large-scale soccer ball sculptures installed throughout New York City’s five boroughs and northern New Jersey.
Each sculpture has been designed by a different artist, creating a diverse collection that celebrates both the global impact of football and the power of public art. The installations will appear in parks, plazas, transportation hubs, and official World Cup watch party locations throughout the summer.
A Roster of Acclaimed Contemporary Artists
The participating artists include Futura 2000, Katherine Bernhardt, Hank Willis Thomas, Eddie Martinez, Kevin Beasley, Bony Ramirez, Edgar Heap of Birds, Fred Wilson, and several other notable contemporary figures. Artists were nominated by leaders from major cultural institutions including MoMA, The Met, the Whitney Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, and El Museo del Barrio.
Constructed from 32 aluminum composite panels mounted to stainless steel frames, each sculpture reinterprets the traditional soccer ball through the artist’s unique visual language. Some artists hand-painted their works, while others utilized digital printing techniques or mixed-media embellishments to create highly individualized designs.
A Lasting Legacy Beyond the Tournament
The initiative represents the final philanthropic project championed by renowned art patron Agnes Gund, who helped connect ARTS 14C with leading museums and the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee. Following the exhibition, select sculptures by artists including Hank Willis Thomas, Katherine Bernhardt, Fred Wilson, Bony Ramirez, and Tomokazu Matsuyama will be auctioned through Christie’s.
Proceeds from the sales will support participating artists, ARTS 14C, and Studio in a School, the arts education nonprofit founded by Gund. While several sculptures will be sold, others are expected to remain permanently installed, extending the project’s impact long after the World Cup concludes. The installations will remain on view throughout New York City and New Jersey through Labor Day.
