New York City FC is today launching a five-story-high inflatable pigeon that will float down the Hudson River and through New York Harbor in a guerrilla-style activation.

Timed to coincide with the FIFA Club World Cup taking place across the river in New Jersey, the installation – a.k.a. “The Five Borough Flight” – is New York City FC’s way of proudly repping the city and reminding fans of the home club in their backyard. The 700lb pigeon, a nod to New York’s most prolific resident and the Club’s unofficial mascot, was designed to stop soccer fans in their tracks during a peak moment for the sport and kick start the future of NYC football.

The pigeon starts its journey in Staten Island before sailing up the Hudson then ‘flying’ back down past all five boroughs before coming home to roost in Willets Point – the home of New York City FC’s new stadium, Etihad Park, set to open in 2027.