Spruce Meadows hosts largest indoor World Cup watch party in city
Cavalry FC pivoted its game against FC Supra du Québec to host fans at the Equi-Plex, where hundreds cheered Canada's 1-0 win over South Africa.
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Hundreds of Calgary soccer fans packed the Equi-Plex at Spruce Meadows on Sunday, June 28, to watch Canada's Round of 32 match against South Africa, marking the largest indoor World Cup watch party the city has hosted.
Cavalry FC, the city's professional soccer team, organized the event with just 72 hours' notice after Canada advanced to the knockout stage. The team had originally scheduled their own match against FC Supra du Québec for the same day, but pivoted to host the watch party instead.
Voyageurs member Ian Racine, who spent hours cheering on Cavalry FC and later the Wild at McMahon Stadium, said the event demonstrated how far soccer has grown in the city. "At one point in time there were only a few little bars you could go to, and they're the only ones to be showing anything football related. Now it's all over the place. It's everywhere," he said.
Cavalry FC commercial director Mason Trafford said the turnout proved Canada is becoming a genuine football nation. "I do firmly believe the next Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, or the next big time Canadian star will be produced from right here in Calgary, and I believe it will be produced by Cavalry FC," Trafford said.
Over 35,000 kids play in Calgary Minor Soccer, feeding the infrastructure that has made the city a hub for developing talent at the national level.
