More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals in the United States each year, and immediate CPR can double or triple survival rates. In honor of National CPR and AED Week, the American Heart Association is bringing its Nation of Lifesavers mobile CPR unit to FIFA Fan Festivals in four host cities, starting next week, to teach Hands-Only CPR during one of the world's largest sporting events.
From June 10 through July 19, the mobile CPR unit will be stationed at FIFA Fan Festivals in Atlanta, Dallas, and Philadelphia. The festivals, part of the global soccer championship run by FIFA, are expected to draw thousands of international visitors. The unit will also appear at the New York New Jersey Fan Zone in the Bronx from June 13-14 and at the Central Park Mini Pitch from June 10 through July 19.
The initiative is organized in collaboration with FIFA Medical, responsible for protecting player health from grassroots to elite tournaments. As part of the Association's Nation of Lifesavers movement, the presence at these festivals aims to help more people feel confident to respond in a cardiac emergency, supporting the goal to double survival rates of cardiac arrest by 2030. The Association was recently identified by the Annenberg Public Policy Center as the most trusted public health information source after an individual's personal healthcare provider, with 82% of U.S. adults confident in its information.
"By offering Hands-Only CPR instruction at FIFA Fan Festivals, thousands of people can join the Nation of Lifesavers and help more communities feel prepared to take action when every second counts," said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. "More than half of people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital don't receive CPR before emergency responders arrive. That's why we are committed to ensuring more people are trained, confident, and ready to act as a lifesaver in a cardiac emergency."
The American Heart Association is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. Hands-Only CPR, or compression-only CPR, is effective for teens and adults in the first few minutes of an emergency. It involves calling 911 and pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest. Fans visiting the mobile unit can practice Hands-Only CPR, learn to recognize cardiac arrest, and build confidence to act. Volunteer opportunities are available in select host cities; no prior medical experience is required. Additional details are at heart.org/FIFAFanFestival.
"Soccer has a unique ability to unite communities across cultures and generations," said Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director. "By incorporating Hands-Only CPR training into the FIFA Fan Festival experience, fans can leave with more than memories from the tournament - they can leave with the confidence to help save a life during a cardiac emergency." FIFA Medical often uses competitions to develop legacy health campaigns that leave a lasting impact beyond the tournament.
This marks the American Heart Association's first appearance at a FIFA event and its 10th at a major national sporting event. The Association has previously brought Hands-Only CPR and AED training to fans at events such as Super Bowl LX, Super Bowl LIX, and the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. With nearly 3 out of 4 cardiac arrests outside the hospital happening at home, knowing CPR can help save the life of a loved one. Learn Hands-Only CPR at heart.org/nation.
