NYC Ferry Launches Summer Schedule, Unveils Designs for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Starting this week, 2026 summer schedule will feature more ferry service, more frequent connections across the city and reservable seats on beach-bound trips

Five custom-wrapped NYC Ferry vessels will celebrate the identity and diversity of all five boroughs

Increased ferry service comes as City prepares for 2026 FIFA World Cup and expected influx of visitors

NEW YORK, NY-Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) Interim President and CEO Jeanny Pak today launched NYC Ferry's 2026 summer schedule, delivering the most ferry service in the system's history.

In anticipation of one of the busiest summers in New York City history, the Mamdani administration is adding vessels and trips across high-demand routes to keep commuters, recreational riders and visitors moving reliably. The new schedule includes more route connections as well as the return of Rockaway Rocket and Rockaway Reserve tickets to help connect New Yorkers and tourists alike to the City's beaches. This increased service-which began this week and will run through Sept. 13, 2026-will ensure passengers spend less time waiting and more time enjoying everything New York City has to offer.

The Mamdani administration also unveiled five newly wrapped NYC Ferry vessels, each featuring custom World Cup-inspired branding that reflects the diversity and character of the five boroughs. These specially designed ferries will travel throughout New York Harbor beginning this week and remain in service through the end of the summer.

"The world is coming to New York City-and New York City is ready," said Mayor Mamdani. "We are investing in the infrastructure that keeps this city moving: new bus lanes, safer streets, greener public spaces and now the most ferry service in City history. Whether you're headed to a World Cup match a neighborhood block party, or one of our world-class public beaches, NYC Ferry will get you there quickly, safely and in style all summer long."

"We're putting more vessels on the water because this summer demands it," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. "More service means more New Yorkers moving, more visitors exploring and more economic activity reaching communities across all five boroughs."

"We're thrilled to celebrate the world's game right here in New York City and to showcase our fleet with five custom-wrapped NYC Ferry vessels honoring each borough," said Executive Director of NYC Ferry James Wong. "With the FIFA World Cup, Sail4th 250, and another busy beach season all converging in summer 2026, visitors will have plenty of opportunities to explore New York Harbor alongside New Yorkers on board NYC Ferry with more service than ever before."

The Mamdani administration also unveiled five custom-wrapped NYC Ferry vessels that celebrate the identity of each borough and will remain in service through the end of summer.

NYC Ferry Summer 2026

The 2026 Summer Ferry Service schedule will help New Yorkers and visitors move around the city quickly and efficiently ahead of a busy summer. Credit: NYCEDC.

The Mamdani administration is expanding service to meet expected demand ahead of a historic summer. As part of the 2026 Summer Ferry Service, riders can expect:

• More Ferry Service to Meet Demand
  ◦ More weekend trips to reduce travel and wait times.
  ◦ Larger vessels operating on high-demand routes and during peak travel periods to carry more passengers.
  ◦ Expanded high-frequency beach service alongside the existing Rockaway-Soundview route.
  
• Seasonal Summer Routes to Boost Efficiency and Expand Access to Top Summer Destinations
  ◦ Direct, high-capacity shuttle service to Governors Island from Pier 11 for all NYC Ferry riders, including free transfer from other routes.
  ◦ Extended weekend local service on the South Brooklyn route from Bay Ridge and Brooklyn Army Terminal to Red Hook and other points farther north.
  
• Reservable Seats to the Beach on Summer Weekends
  ◦ Return of the Rockaway Reserve for guaranteed seats on select departures from Pier 11 and Rockaway.
  ◦ Return of the Rockaway Rocket with direct beach service from Long Island City and Greenpoint. This service will begin in early July and run until Labor Day.

As part of the 2026 Summer Ferry Service, the Mamdani administration is bringing back Rockaway Reserve tickets, allowing passengers to reserve seats on vessels along the Rockaway route. Beginning May 23, passengers will be able to purchase Rockaway Reserve tickets for specific weekend and holiday departures. These tickets may only be purchased for riders boarding at Wall Street/Pier 11 and Rockaway.

Later this summer, the Rockaway Rocket will also return to service, offering express, fully reservable service for beachgoers from Long Island City and Greenpoint. Non-reserved seats will remain available on every vessel operating along the Rockaway-Soundview route. Both Rockaway Reserve and Rockaway Rocket tickets will cost $12 per person.

The Mamdani administration's increased ferry service comes as seasonal ridership continues to increase across the NYC Ferry system. This past weekend alone, the East River Route recorded its two highest ridership days ever, generating more than 40,000 boardings due to improved operations and capacity on that route and building off of last summer's strong ridership numbers.

Last summer, NYC Ferry set daily, weekly and monthly ridership records, with August 2025 marking the highest single-month ridership in system history. In 2025, the Rockaway Reserve sold 30,000 tickets, generating more than $360,000 in revenue for the City's ferry system, while Rockaway Rocket sold more than 17,000 tickets and generated more than $200,000 in additional revenue. Average daily Rockaway Rocket ticket sales increased 19% from 2024.

In November 2025, NYC Ferry also announced the system's first-ever route reconfiguration through the NYC Ferry Optimization Plan, improving efficiency, shortening commute times and expanding connections for riders across the city.

Spanning 70 nautical miles, the NYC Ferry system operates 38 vessels across six routes and 25 landings, making it the largest passenger-only ferry fleet in the United States. NYC Ferry is not only a critical transit option for New Yorkers' daily commutes-connecting residents to jobs, schools, parks and cultural destinations in every borough-but also an iconic part of the city's waterfront that is seen each day by millions of New Yorkers and tourists alike.

The 2026 Summer Ferry Service comes as the Mamdani administration prepares New York City for an expected influx of visitors for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, July Fourth weekend, Sail4th 250 and other major summer events. Alongside permanent street redesigns improving bike and pedestrian access near the Brooklyn Bridge, a new dedicated bus lane connecting Queens to LaGuardia Airport and public-space upgrades across the city, the increased 2026 Summer Ferry Service will keep New Yorkers and visitors moving efficiently throughout the summer season.

"The World Cup coming to New York City this summer marks one of the most exciting moments in our city's history, and I am very glad to see the World Cup being promoted on these brand new vessels," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. "With expanded weekend service on the South Brooklyn route, more Brooklynites will be able to enjoy the ferry to get to World Cup viewings across the borough. Thank you to EDC for these expansions and for improving ferry service across the city."

"The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a huge cultural moment in New York City's modern history, and the Cup's excitement won't just be felt inside the stadium, it will be felt in every neighborhood, on every block, and yes, even on our waterways. When the world arrives this summer, they'll be riding the same ferries New Yorkers count on every day to get to work, to the beach, and to the places that make this city home," said New York City Council Member Virginia Maloney. "NYC Ferry has become an essential part of how New Yorkers move around the City, and this summer's expanded schedule means even more reliable service for my constituents and for the millions of visitors coming to New York City for the World Cup."

"As visitors from across the globe come to New York to celebrate the world's game, we look forward to connecting them to all that the five boroughs have to offer via a fun, reliable, and fast ride on NYC Ferry," said Timothy O'Brien, Senior Vice President, Ferries and Concessions, Hornblower Group. "Both our crew and our riders represent communities from across the city and across the world, and we look forward to welcoming millions of New Yorkers and visitors onboard throughout the tournament and in the summer months ahead."

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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