BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights will be the place to experience both the FIFA World Cup Final and Bastille Day, in a joint celebration planned for Sunday.
Capping a season of soccer enthusiasm, a live viewing of the World Cup’s final match will take place from 12-6 p.m. Adding continental flair, a Bastille Day fête hosted by L’Appartement 4F, with French music, food and games, will take over the street in front of the bakery.
A Sunday-morning crowd lines up for brunch and croissants at L’Appartement 4F on Montague Street. Photo: Mary Frost/Brooklyn Eagle
The combo bash is a special edition of Montague’s car-free Open Streets, courtesy of the Brooklyn Heights Association, the Montague Street Business Improvement District and the New York City Department of Transportation, according to David Solomito, a board member of BHA and the BID.
“We weren’t planning to do the Open Streets on Montague during this time period,” Solomito told the Brooklyn Eagle. “Usually with people being gone and the heat, we stop for July and August.”
But with Bastille Day on July 14, the celebrated bakery L’Appartement 4F reached out about doing something to celebrate, he said. “Bastille Day is huge in French culture, and there are many French Americans living in and visiting the area. And as you know, New York-New Jersey is hosting the final World Cup match, and so many New Yorkers are soccer fans and are being swept up in the excitement.”
So everything “very serendipitously” came together, he said. “We thought it would be a great community event and a chance for the Montague BID and the Brooklyn Heights Association to attract more people to the area, explore the neighborhood, and shop at the local stores.”
A crowd lines up at L’Appartement 4F on opening day in 2022. The popular bakery will host a Bastille Day event on July 19. Photo: Mary Frost/Brooklyn Eagle
TV screens will be set up on Montague Street between Clinton and Henry streets, and people are invited to bring their own blanket and chairs for seating. TVs will also be available inside and outside Custom House and Grand Canyon restaurants, which have already been showing many of the World Cup games.
Numerous soccer-related activities will add to the fun on Montague Street, including sticker swapping, soccer clinics and free-play experiences.
“There are stickers for every player, and people have really gotten into it this year — the idea is you collect all the different stickers for your book,” Solomito said. “So we’re going to have a sticker-swapping area for anyone who is trying to complete their book or meet and trade with other fans.
“We also have a very talented group of soccer programs that run in the Brooklyn area,” he added. “Legion Soccer, Soccer Shots, VP Soccer and Super Soccer Stars will be participating, and around 4 p.m. the street will be opened up for free play.”
Soccer fever has taken over Brooklyn this summer. Shown: A young boy kicks a soccer ball on June 14 inside the World Cup Fan Zone in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo: Mary Frost/Brooklyn Eagle
Schedule of events
The Bastille Day Celebration takes place in front of L’Appartement 4F (between Hicks and Henry streets). Snag reservations on Resy for 2 p.m. The menu includes beverages donated by Zev Rovine Selections and Back Home Beer, as well as grazing tables of summer produce, charcuteries, skewers and small bites coming off the grill, including a hot dog in their signature 4F brioche bun and Petrossian Caviar (served while supplies last).
A giant soccer ball in front of the Lower Manhattan skyline celebrates the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The final match takes place on July 19. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
FIFA World Cup 2026 Final event schedule
– Sticker swap from 12-5 p.m. Bring your album and extras to swap with neighbors and complete your book.
– Soccer clinics and demos for all ages and levels from noon-6 p.m. These include:
12 p.m. Legions Soccer
1 p.m. Soccer Shots
2 p.m. VP Soccer
3 p.m. Super Soccer Stars
4 p.m. Open Play
– Shop the street from 12-6 p.m. Several businesses are offering soccer-themed specials.
– Game time: 3-6 p.m. as the last two teams battle for the Cup. Not to be missed: The first-ever World Cup Final halftime show, starring Madonna, Shakira and BTS.
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