Pickup Soccer in NYC
Finding reliable pickup soccer in NYC shouldn't feel like chasing down a lead. Whether you're in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or Staten Island, NextGoal connects you to organized pickup soccer games happening across all five boroughs. No league commitment, no tryouts—just show up and play. If you've ever scrolled through group chats trying to figure out if a game is actually happening, or driven to a field only to find three people standing around, you already know the problem. Pickup soccer in NYC has always existed, but it's been messy, unreliable, and hard to access unless you knew the right people.
Ready to Play? Find Your Next Game
Browse games happening today across NYC. Filter by borough, skill level, and time. RSVP in seconds.
Why Pickup Soccer in NYC Has Been a Mess
New York has no shortage of soccer fields or people who want to play. The problem isn't supply—it's coordination. Pickup soccer in NYC has historically been fragmented across WhatsApp groups, Instagram DMs, and word-of-mouth networks. Games get organized last-minute. RSVPs are unreliable. Payment is awkward. Field access is inconsistent.
If you're lucky enough to know someone who hosts regularly, you might get added to their group chat. But most people don't have that in. They search "pickup soccer near me" or "soccer games today" and find nothing concrete. They join a random pickup game at a park and it's either five people or thirty—never the right number. Or they commit to a league they don't have time for because it feels like the only organized option.
The result? Thousands of people in NYC who want to play pickup soccer but can't find a reliable, organized way to do it. And on the flip side, plenty of people who'd love to host games but don't have the tools to make it sustainable.
How NextGoal Fixes This
Find Games Instantly
Browse games happening today or this week. Filter by location, skill level, and game format. RSVP in seconds.
Reliable RSVPs
No more "who's in?" texts. See exactly who's confirmed. Hosts know if they're hitting minimum numbers. Players know if a game is actually happening.
Simple Payments
Pay through the app. No Venmo requests, no cash confusion. Hosts handle field costs without awkward collections.
NextGoal isn't reinventing pickup soccer—it's just making it work the way it should. Hosts create games, set pricing (or make it free), and manage RSVPs in one place. Players find games in their neighborhood, see who's playing, and show up knowing the game is organized. That's it. No league fees, no season commitment, no confusion.
I used to spend 30 minutes scrolling through group chats trying to find a game. Now I open NextGoal, see what's happening in Williamsburg tonight, and I'm in. Game changer.
— Marcus, Brooklyn player since 2024
Pickup Soccer Across All 5 Boroughs
Manhattan
From Chelsea Piers to East River Park, Manhattan has some of the most accessible fields in the city. The challenge? Games fill up fast and scheduling is competitive. NextGoal makes it easy to find pickup soccer in Manhattan whether you're in Midtown, the Upper West Side, West Village, or the Lower East Side.
Popular fields: Pier 40 (Hudson River Park), Central Park North Meadow, East River Park Fields, Chelsea Piers (indoor)
Brooklyn
Brooklyn has one of the strongest pickup soccer communities in NYC, with games happening at McCarren Park, Prospect Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge Park turf. The soccer culture here runs deep, but coordinating games still happens mostly through personal networks. NextGoal brings Brooklyn's pickup soccer scene into one place—so you don't need to know someone to get in on a game in Williamsburg, Park Slope, Sunset Park, or Bushwick.
Popular fields: McCarren Park (Williamsburg), Prospect Park Long Meadow, Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5, Red Hook Recreation Area
Queens
Queens is massive, and so is its soccer scene. From Flushing Meadows to Astoria Park, there are games happening every day—you just need to know where to look. NextGoal connects players across Astoria, Long Island City, Forest Hills, Flushing, and Jackson Heights to organized pickup games without the guesswork. Whether you're near the 7 train or out in Bayside, there's a game nearby.
Popular fields: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Astoria Park, Juniper Valley Park (Middle Village), Forest Park
The Bronx
The Bronx has a passionate soccer community with regular games at fields like Van Cortlandt Park and Macombs Dam Park (right by Yankee Stadium). The pickup scene here is strong but often informal—games organized through local connections. NextGoal makes it easier to find and join pickup soccer in the Bronx without needing to be part of an existing group.
Popular fields: Van Cortlandt Park, Macombs Dam Park (near Yankee Stadium), Pelham Bay Park, Crotona Park
Staten Island
Staten Island's pickup soccer scene is smaller but dedicated, with games at spots like Silver Lake Park and Great Kills Park. Because the community is tight-knit, it can be hard for newcomers to break in. NextGoal opens up Staten Island pickup soccer to anyone who wants to play—locals and new arrivals alike.
Popular fields: Silver Lake Park, Great Kills Park, Clove Lakes Park
I've been running Tuesday night games in Astoria for two years. Before NextGoal, I spent half my week just managing the group chat and collecting Venmo. Now it's automated. I actually have time to play.
— Sofia, Queens host and organizer
Host Pickup Soccer in NYC
If you've ever organized a pickup game, you know it's not hard—it's just annoying. You book the field, message everyone, track RSVPs, collect money, and hope enough people show up. It takes time, and it's unpaid labor. Most hosts do it because they love the game and want their community to have a place to play. But it shouldn't be this much work.
NextGoal is built for hosts. You create a game, set the details (location, time, price, skill level), and the platform handles everything else. RSVPs are automatic. Payments go through the app. You're not chasing people for Venmo or worrying about no-shows. And if you want, you can charge a small hosting fee to cover your time and effort. Some hosts make this a side hustle. Others just want to break even. Either way, NextGoal makes it sustainable.
Hosting isn't just about running a game—it's about building something consistent. A Tuesday night game at the same field, same time, same vibe. That's how real communities form. NextGoal gives you the tools to make it happen without burning out.
Start Hosting Games Today
- Create games in minutes with field location, pricing, and skill level
- Automatic RSVP tracking and payment collection
- Set your own hosting fee or keep games free
- Build a consistent community around your games
Want to Host? Start Earning Today
Turn your love for soccer into supplemental income. Create your first game in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find pickup soccer games in my neighborhood?
Download the NextGoal app or visit games.nextgoal.app and search by your borough or neighborhood. You'll see upcoming games with location, time, skill level, and pricing. Filter by what works for you and RSVP directly.
Are games in all 5 boroughs?
Yes. NextGoal has games across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Some neighborhoods have more games than others, but we're growing every week. If your area doesn't have many games yet, consider hosting one.
Do I need to commit to a league or season?
No. NextGoal is pickup soccer—no league commitment, no tryouts, no seasons. Show up when you can, play when you want. RSVP for one game or ten. It's completely flexible.
How much does it cost to play?
It depends on the game. Some hosts run free games. Others charge $5-15 to cover field rental and hosting costs. You'll see the price before you RSVP, and payment is handled through the app.
What if I'm a beginner? Can I still join?
Absolutely. Many games on NextGoal are marked as 'all skill levels' or 'beginner-friendly.' Check the game description before joining. The goal is to play and have fun—everyone starts somewhere.
How do I know if a game is actually happening?
Hosts set minimum player counts. If a game doesn't hit the minimum, it gets canceled and you're refunded automatically. You'll get notifications if anything changes. No more showing up to an empty field.
Can I bring friends who aren't on NextGoal?
They'll need to RSVP through the app so the host knows the headcount. It only takes a minute to sign up, and then they can join the game.
What if I want to host games regularly in NYC?
You can create recurring games at the same field and time. Many hosts run weekly games—it's a great way to build a consistent community and even make some side income if you charge a hosting fee.
Stop Searching. Start Playing.
Pickup soccer in NYC works now. Find your next game or host your first one. Download NextGoal and play this week.
