Calgary ready to cheer Team Canada at World Cup watch parties
Free public watch parties start Friday at Eau Claire and extend across the city with food, clinics, and family-friendly activities.
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Calgary has caught FIFA fever, and Team Canada's opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday is the ignition point. Downtown will be the epicenter for watch parties, with Eau Claire hosting the main free public gathering starting at 1 p.m.
The match will broadcast live on a 20-foot LED screen, and the party will feature family-friendly activities and free soccer clinics hosted by Cavalry FC and Calgary Wild FC. Carlo Bruneau, executive director of the Calgary Minor Soccer Association, said the excitement is at an all-time high.
"There will be no shortage of excitement and opportunity for people, whether you're in the soccer community or just a fan of sports or soccer, to come and enjoy the moment of hosting a World Cup," Bruneau said.
Eau Claire parties continue for upcoming matches: June 18 against Qatar at 4 p.m., and June 24 against Switzerland at 1 p.m. The Stephen Avenue finale will screen the championship match on July 19 at 1 p.m.
With nearly 35,000 kids in the minor soccer association, the World Cup is fueling a generation's dream of wearing the Canadian leaf. Expectations are higher than the 2022 appearance, with hope the team advances to the knockout round.
Beyond downtown, Deerfoot Inn and Casino is hosting watch parties in its Chrome Showroom for every Team Canada game (tickets required, includes burger and drink). South and west Calgary Farmers' Markets will screen matches in their food courts every open day, with fresh food and drink specials inspired by the countries playing. Select Cineplexes — Sunridge Spectrum and Scotiabank Theatre Chinook — are broadcasting 20 World Cup matches, including all of Canada's games, the semi-finals, third-place match, and the finale.
On the hospitality side, the province granted greater liquor-service flexibility, allowing bars and restaurants to start service as early as 6 a.m. without special approval. Ernie Tsu, founder of the Alberta Hospitality Association and owner of Trolley 5 Brewpub, said foot traffic is expected to surge.
"On 17th and Mission, all the restaurants and pubs are looking forward to it," Tsu said. "Everyone's pumped for it."
Canada's first match kicks off Friday at 1 p.m. on TSN. The city's watching.