Experience Football's Legacy at the FIFA Museum Presented by Hyundai
5 minute read
June 12, 2026
As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ unfolds, New York City becomes home to a vibrant celebration of football’s global legacy. The FIFA Museum Presented by Hyundai brings its special exhibition, 'Legacies of Champions', to Rockefeller Center, transforming the iconic destination into an immersive experience that showcases the tournament’s rich history and cultural impact.
Open from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with free public admission, the exhibition invites football fans, families, and visitors from around the world to explore the unforgettable stories, legendary champions, and lasting influence that have shaped the world’s most beloved sport.
Where Glory Lives On Through Icons
'Legacies of Champions' traces nearly a century of football history, exploring how each FIFA World Cup™ has shaped the global game and inspired generations of fans worldwide. Through curated showcases from every tournament since 1930, the exhibition brings together original artifacts, iconic moments, legendary teams, and players that have contributed to its enduring legacy.
A Living Archive of Football’s Greatest Triumphs
Highlights include the FIFA Museum’s signature uniform display, showcasing jerseys from all 48 teams competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026™, celebrating the diversity of the global game. The exhibition also features the historic Jules Rimet Trophy (1930–1970) with its original blue base, offering a rare glimpse of one of football’s most iconic symbols. On selected days, visitors can also view the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Winner’s Trophy.
Immersive installations such as 'The Final', which captures the intensity of football’s biggest stage, and 'The Wall of Champions', honoring every player to have lifted the trophy, bring to life the legacy of victory that continues to inspire future generations.
Connecting Football's Legacy with the Next Generation
Hyundai has been an official mobility partner of the FIFA World Cup™ since 1999, and the exclusive presenting partner of FIFA Museum host-country exhibitions since 2018.
Reflecting the belief that football is a powerful language that connects people across the globe, this special exhibition highlights Hyundai’s contributions to bringing the FIFA World Cup™ closer to fans across borders and generations.
The exhibition also highlights Hyundai’s global fan campaign, 'Be There With Hyundai', celebrating the next generation of football supporters. As part of the display, visitors can explore drawings created by children aged 5 to 12 from around the world, each expressing their passion for and support of their national teams, with selected artworks also featured on team buses throughout the tournament.
For the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Hyundai continues to create experiences that bring people together through football and inspire a better tomorrow. As part of the exhibition, Hyundai showcases advanced robotics developed with Boston Dynamics, reflecting its 'Next Starts Now' vision through integrated football experiences.
Extending beyond the gallery, Spot will appear throughout Rockefeller Center—from welcoming guests at the opening ceremony to engaging visitors during the Fan Village period—with visitors able to receive a FIFA Museum photo card and participate in a social media-linked reward experience from June 11 to July 4.
Meanwhile, Atlas offers a more symbolic presence. Positioned at Center Plaza, the static prototype serves as a way-finding landmark, guiding visitors to the exhibition as well as a photo opportunity for football fans.
Where Fans Step Into the Game
Extending beyond its indoor setup at 50 Rockefeller Plaza, the FIFA Museum Presented by Hyundai will host an outdoor pop-up from July 6 to 19 at the North Plaza. Visitors can take part in an interactive FIFA World Cup™ trivia challenge, answering questions by taking shots on goal for a chance to win prizes.
The experience recreates a stadium atmosphere with pitch-side LED boards and a full-scale goalpost, blending football with technology. Participants are rewarded with a celebratory balloon symbolizing the spirit of victory, powered by Hyundai IONIQ 9’s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, which also supports an on-site cooling system for visitor comfort.
Running through July 19, the exhibition invites fans, families, and visitors from around the world to explore the history of the FIFA World Cup™, experience activations, and discover Hyundai’s vision for the future.
The energy and atmosphere on site can also be experienced through video.