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Berlin Drops World Cup Fan Zone at Brandenburg Gate

Late-night kickoffs made a central event uneconomical for private operators.

Overview

  • Berlin officials confirmed Monday in a corrected notice on the city portal that no public viewing on the Straße des 17. Juni is planned for the 2026 World Cup.
  • The Senate’s press office said no application for a Fanmeile was filed, and spokesperson Petra Nelken cited poor business prospects for would‑be organizers.
  • Games in the United States, Canada and Mexico kick off late in Germany, with start times ranging from early evening to as late as 6 a.m., which drives up security and cleanup costs while cutting attendance.
  • Sports senator Iris Spranger said she would have welcomed a privately run gathering at the landmark and called the Fanmeile a deeply emotional tradition.
  • Fans will find smaller options such as a free LED wall at the Potsdamer Platz center for matches starting by 10 p.m., while the once‑huge Berlin Fanmeile, which used to mobilize about 1,200 workers, reflects a broader national pullback from large public viewings this year.