There will be no public crowd allowed at a 250th national anniversary ball drop in Times Square this summer, due to a permitting freeze meant to prevent “significant realignment...of NYPD personnel.”
There will be no public crowd allowed at a 250th national anniversary ball drop in Times Square this summer, due to a permitting freeze meant to prevent “significant realignment...of NYPD personnel.” ( Photo: America 250)

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYC Park Dept. issued the order after it was requested by the NYPD, saying that it would divert police resources. This means that a Times Square ball drop at midnight on July 3 will have no crowd.

City Issues Large Gathering Ban for World Cup & 250th Ball Drop

08 Apr 2026 | 05:24
News

It could be quite tough to get a crowd together for any formal public celebration on designated city parkland this summer. Last month, the city issued a substantial city permitting freeze for “large gatherings” during the World Cup, which they say would end up diverting police resources from more pressing...

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