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Want to skip work Friday to hit up a watch party for Canada’s World Cup opening match versus Bosnia — but you’re not sure how to sell it to your boss?
The Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA) has you covered.
With the FIFA World Cup set to take over North America for the next six weeks, Calgarians will be out in full force supporting their various teams.
The city is organizing three watch parties for Canada’s games at Eau Claire Plaza downtown in collaboration with the CMSA and the city’s two pro soccer teams, Wild FC and Cavalry. They’re also hosting one on Stephen Avenue for the tournament final on July 19.
The games will be shown on a big LED screen, and kids can play in a fan zone, said Kate Zago, a planner with the city’s downtown strategy unit.
“We wanted something that could be downtown. Downtown is Calgary’s living room,” said Zago, “so we thought this is a great opportunity to showcase the plaza and have a great event down there.”
Effect on minor soccer
According to its annual report, there were nearly 32,000 youth minor soccer players in the 2024-25 season, a five-per-cent increase from the previous year. The CMSA is enthusiastic about the impact this domestic World Cup will have as the sport continues to grow in Calgary.
“We’ve always had a very passionate community, a growing community, but this year, it’s just next level,” CMSA marketing manager Leslie MacLeod. “The excitement around the game, we’re feeling it. We’re feeling this momentum build within our youth soccer community, but the broader community as well. Soccer in Calgary has never been stronger, and we’re earning that reputation as a soccer city.”
World Cup bringing Calgarians together
The World Cup parties are an opportunity for people to come together, regardless of which country they cheer on.
Sumaq, a Peruvian restaurant on 17th Avenue Southwest, is hosting watch parties despite Peru not making the big tournament.
“We welcome everybody from all different countries,” said Ignacio Sinfon, the restaurant’s owner. “It’s not Peru against another country or another country against Europe; it’s all together to share the spirit of the soccer.”
And for Sinfon, soccer goes beyond the pitch.
“A soccer game is a family game,” Sinfon said. “It’s grandfathers, it’s a family, it’s grandkids, it’s friends. Soccer is an [opportunity] to be all together … the game can only be 90 minutes, but we can stay five hours.”
Zago has a similar approach.
“We can cheer together, we can watch together, and also this is such a great opportunity to cheer on Team Canada,” she said. “Sports is a great way to bring Calgarians together.”
Watch parties throughout the city
Here are some watch parties happening across Calgary.
