Study of Urban Chemical Composition and Emissions Research - Air Quality 2026

SOCCER-AQ 2026 LogoThe Study of Urban Chemical Composition and Emissions Research – Air Quality (SOCCER-AQ) 2026 field campaign will deliver an unprecedented, comprehensive characterization of summertime urban air chemistry, spanning some of the most densely populated and environmentally complex regions in the U.S. It will also help support public safety around the FIFA World Cup games.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup games present a unique opportunity with millions of visitors coming to cities along the Northeast I-95 corridor. The large influx of visitors will increase demand for transportation, create shifts in traffic patterns and increase energy consumption and commercial activity. These factors will make a significant change in emissions patterns that will be difficult to predict and create the perfect opportunity for a large-scale, real-world experiment; scientists will observe how urban atmospheric composition responds to rapid and coordinated changes over a short time period.

By integrating coordinated observations from aircraft, ground-based networks, mobile platforms, and satellites with advanced modeling, the campaign will provide a detailed and multi-dimensional understanding of emissions, atmospheric processes, and pollutant transport across interconnected metropolitan areas.

The Air Resources Car (ARC), NOAA’s Twin Otter plane, ground-based monitors and satellites will all be used to create a comprehensive picture of urban atmospheres. 

Measurement Strategy

This campaign employs a multi-platform approach:

  • The NOAA Twin Otter and a small general aviation aircraft will collect in situ chemical and meteorological measurements
  • Ground air quality monitoring sites will give continuous measurements of key air pollutants and particulate matter and provide a spatial gradient of air pollution throughout the study area
  • The ARC will drive through the study area to collect hyperlocal measurements across urban areas
  • Satellite data will be compared to the measurements from the other three sources to improve estimates

Paths of travel are planned along the Northeast I-95 corridor, and around D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston to provide critical insights in several key areas. These include:

  • Assessing the accuracy of models by comparing observed atmospheric composition with model outputs
  • Examining how air quality impacts are distributed across communities during a high-profile international event

Proposed flight paths for (L to R) Washington D.C. and Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia and Boston.

Ultimately, the findings from SOCCER-AQ 2026 will advance the scientific foundation for urban air quality management, improve predictive capabilities and support more effective, equitable, and resilient responses to both routine and extraordinary emission scenarios.

A defining strength of SOCCER-AQ is its combination of scientific rigor with real-time decision support. The campaign is designed not only to advance fundamental knowledge of urban atmospheric chemistry but also to provide timely, actionable information to air quality managers and emergency response officials during the FIFA World Cup 2026. This capability will enhance situational awareness during a period of intensified activity and potential air quality stress.

By integrating science, operations, and societal relevance, SOCCER-AQ 2026 will serve as a model for future large-scale, multi-platform air quality studies conducted during major events, ultimately supporting more effective, equitable, and resilient air quality management strategies.

SOCCER-AQ is a collaboration between ARL and the Chemical Sciences Lab (CSL), Global Monitoring Lab (GML), NESDIS and NOAA’s Climate Program Office. Other collaborators include NASA, the University of Maryland, the EPA, and several state and regional government organizations.