Hundreds of Norwegian football supporters filled New York City's Times Square on June 21, 2022, to perform a coordinated "Viking row" [1].
The gathering served as a high-visibility display of national pride and support for the Norwegian team before a critical FIFA World Cup group-stage match against Senegal [2].
Fans dressed in red shirts and Viking helmets converged on the Red Glass Stairs area of Times Square [1, 2]. The group engaged in chanting, singing, and waving Norwegian flags to draw attention to their team's presence in the tournament [1, 3].
The "Viking row" is a synchronized rhythmic movement and chant used by supporters to create an intimidating and powerful atmosphere, a tradition often seen in stadiums across Europe.
This specific event brought the celebration to the heart of the U.S., effectively bringing the intersection of 42nd Street and Broadway to a standstill [3]. The display coincided with the day before the scheduled match against Senegal [2].
Supporters used the global stage of Times Square to project their team's identity and build momentum for the squad. The coordinated effort highlighted the global nature of the World Cup and the traveling fan culture that accompanies major international sporting events [1, 2].
“Hundreds of Norwegian football supporters filled New York City's Times Square”
The use of a high-traffic landmark like Times Square for a cultural display demonstrates how national teams leverage global tourism hubs to build brand visibility and psychological momentum. By blending traditional Norse imagery with a modern sporting event, the supporters transformed a commercial space into a temporary nationalist enclave to support their team's World Cup ambitions.
