Ralph Appelbaum Associates

Cosmos and the Cup: Local Legends, Global Glory, at the Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey, is a temporary exhibition celebrating the history and legacy of the New York Cosmos soccer team. Timed to coincide with the 2026 World Cup, the exhibition explores the team’s local roots and global influence, using the Cosmos’ distinctive brand identity to tell the story of one of soccer’s most iconic franchises.

RAA led the exhibition design, graphic production, and oversaw printing and installation, creating a curated visitor journey around the gallery. The experience begins with the Court of Kings, a hall of fame honoring legendary international Cosmos players, before tracing the club’s origins in the late nineteenth century. A Legends section highlights stars including Pelé and Carlos Alberto Torres, while the concluding gallery examines the team’s worldwide reach, years of hiatus, and recent revival.

To maintain an open, accessible gallery, bilingual English and Spanish interpretation is delivered through QR codes integrated into the graphic panels.

The exhibition demonstrates an agile, light-touch design approach. Rigid Sintra panels mounted on an existing cable-and-rail system respected the building’s constraints—including sprinkler clearances—while avoiding permanent alterations.

Designed for audiences ranging from school groups to seniors, the exhibition illustrates how thoughtful storytelling and adaptable design can transform a museum into an engaging, accessible community resource.