The FIFA World Cup Organization is scheduled to take over the Kennedy Center for free, forcing the National Symphony Orchestra to postpone and relocate concerts.

The Washington Post is reporting that the multi-billion-dollar organization will use the performing arts center for the 2026 World Cup draw scheduled for Dec. 5.

According to internal documents obtained by the Washington Post, FIFA will take over performance spaces and other sections of the Kennedy Center for almost three weeks and has forced the National Symphony Orchestra to postpone and relocate concerts that were expected to be held from Nov. 24 to Dec. 12.

Among those performances was a concert featuring Camilla Nylund, which was moved to March 2026, and a Dec. 9 performance of the movie “Home Alone,” which has been moved to the Anthem.

Over the past weeks, it has been reported that the Kennedy Center’s ticket sales have plummeted, and the possibility of the Washington National Opera leaving next season has been floated around due to audience boycott.

The upcoming draw for the World Cup will bring zero revenue for either FIFA or the Kennedy Center as the event is invite-only, with several complimentary tickets for fans through a lottery system. FIFA is expected to pay for its production costs, but according to the Post, FIFA will not pay the rental fee, which quotes a standard rate of $39,000 to rent the Concert Hall and $18,000 for the Eisenhower Theater for one night.

OperaWire has requested comment from the National Symphony Orchestra and from The Kennedy Center.

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