After rowing on the escalators of Boston’s South Station and at Boston Stadium, Norway fans have taken their epic tradition to the heart of New York City — and disrupted a summer solstice yoga class in the process.
Ahead of the team’s Monday night World Cup match against Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium, Norway fans gathered Sunday to perform their iconic Viking Row on Times Square’s famous red steps.
Dozens of yogis were being led in a special practice honoring the start of summer, just feet from where hundreds of Norway fans were settled on the steps carrying out their cultural tradition of cheering, chanting, and of course, rowing. Some bystanders captured video of the Norwegians even joining in on some of the yoga poses.
Only hours later, video emerged of the Norwegians at it again — but this time on the floor of a moving subway car during Monday’s rush hour commute.
Videos of both rows have gone viral on social media as World Cup fever continues to sweep across the U.S.
“Incredible spirit. They are everywhere bringing joy to America and smiles to the world,” one person wrote on X of the subway row while another agreed, “NYC has really come alive with the World Cup energy, feels like the whole city is part stadium, part street festival. You’ve got fans everywhere, flags in the subways, packed bars and random match chants breaking out on corners like it’s normal life now.”
“2026 WC just changed the soccer culture of USA. Great influence. Thank you European soccer fans,” someone else wrote.
Others — true New Yorkers, perhaps — were quicker to take note of the fact that the Norwegians willingly sat on the dirty floor of a subway car.
“The filth these people are subjecting themselves to is unimaginable,” one person wrote on X.
“If only they knew the things that subway floor has endured over the years,” a second wrote while a third said, “There’s team loyalty and then there’s sit in biohazard subway floor team loyalty.”
Norway — appearing in the tournament for the first time in 28 years — won their first World Cup match in dominant fashion, defeating Iraq 4-1. Striker Erling Haaland’s performance caused earth tremors in his home country after he netted two goals in the first half.
The goals sparked widespread joyous celebrations across Norway, where fans watched the match unfold at midnight.
Next, Norway is scheduled to take on Senegal in a pivotal group stage match Monday night. The team will then head back to Boston to square off against France in their final group stage match, slated for Friday.
