This summer, the roar of international soccer is meeting the rhythm of Spanish hospitality in the heart of Manhattan.
Rioja Wines and Mercado Little Spain have launched a summer-long soccer and tasting series at Hudson Yards. Running from June 11 through July 19, the celebration invites New Yorkers and visitors to watch major matches while enjoying Spanish food, Rioja wine pairings and complimentary sample pours.
Mercado Little Spain will show matches on screens throughout the market. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Created by chef José Andrés with Ferran and Albert Adrià, Mercado Little Spain already feels like a spirited walk through Spain. Its counters, restaurants and bars capture the energy of the country’s traditional markets. Add international soccer, and the entire destination becomes a lively neighborhood clubhouse with considerably better wine.
Sixteen Match Days at the Rioja Bar
A dedicated Rioja Bar will operate during 16 selected match days. Those dates include every Spain and United States fixture, along with knockout rounds, semifinals and the final.
Guests who purchase a featured Rioja pairing at La Barra or BarCelona at Txula Steak can continue their experience at the Rioja Bar with a complimentary sample pour during participating matches.
For anyone who grew up understanding that sports are best enjoyed around a shared table, the format feels familiar. Soccer brings strangers together, while food and wine quickly give them something else to discuss.
“International soccer has a way of bringing people together,” said Rodrigo Gutierrez, North American Business Director of DOCa Rioja. He described Mercado Little Spain as an ideal setting to present Rioja wines through food, culture and community.
That connection matters. Rioja is not simply a name on a bottle. It represents a historic wine region in north-central Spain with a tradition shaped by generations of growers, winemakers and families. Its wines can move comfortably from crisp sparkling selections and rosés to younger reds and structured reservas.
Rioja Wine and Spanish Food Pairings
At La Barra, the limited-time menu includes Brut Método Tradicional with a tabla of cured meats and cheese. Selvanevada is paired with the Gilda “Rita Hayworth,” while Sierra Cantabria Rosé 2025 accompanies tuna empanadillas.
Guests can also try Artuke Joven 2025 with a flauta de pincho moruno or Muga Reserva 2022 with slow-cooked pork cheeks.
BarCelona at Txula Steak offers its own lineup. Featured pairings include Brut Método Tradicional with an oyster Gilda, Selvanevada with anchovies and Sierra Cantabria Rosé 2025 with jamón croquettes.
The Artuke Joven 2025 meets the restaurant’s Txuleburger, while Muga Reserva 2022 is served alongside tenderloin.
A Spanish Summer Without Leaving New York
The best public celebrations offer more than a screen and a schedule. They create a sense of place.
At Mercado Little Spain, a goal can be followed by raised glasses, shared croquettes and conversations between supporters wearing completely different colors. For a few hours, Hudson Yards becomes a plaza where the match matters, but so does the company.
The Rioja Bar is open to walk-ins during the series. Guests should visit Mercado Little Spain’s website for the full match schedule, participating dates and current pairing details.