Building communities one game at a time: New York businesses open their doors to global football fans
Concerns over ticket prices and visa restrictions, especially for football fans from across Africa and other parts of the Global South, threatened to put a dampener on the World Cup.
But by the time the tournament got underway, it was clear that ticket prices, at least, were not as threatening as anticipated, as fans packed the stadiums to support their national teams.
For fans who could not make it to the stadium, some businesses across New York City afforded them the opportunity to experience the tournament in a near stadium-like atmosphere: space permitting. Restaurants, stores, community centres, and even barbershops across New York City opened up their doors to fans to watch their national teams play even if they had no plans of making any purchases.
In Brooklyn’s Prospect Park neighbourhood, the Bantama African and Caribbean market on East 21st Street provided such an environment for Ghanaians living nearby to gather to watch all the matches.
The Guatemalan-owned IX restaurant on Lincoln Road in Prospect Park also opened its doors to fans. But IX did not just provide a viewing experience, the owners went all out to decorate the space with, among others, flags of the competing nations.
Chef and owner of IX, Jorge Cardenas, said the restaurant sought to create an atmosphere of unity where fans from across the world could gather to dine and indulge in their passion for football. He said they also made snacks from across the world to make the experience a truly international one for football fans.
Video features: Jorge Cardenas, Chef and Owner of IX Restaurant
About author
Nii Akrofi Smart-Abbey is an award-winning international journalist, writer, and host of the A55 Podcast. Nii Akrofi has worked with local and international media in Ghana, Congo and the United States. He has contributed to news platforms like Zenger News, Africanews, W42ndST, and foreignpresscorrespondents.com.
