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There will be no screening of Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final match at the Kitchener Market.
The Downtown Kitchener BIA said it is cancelling the outdoor screening of the match due to the poor air quality in Waterloo region with no indoor option available.
“Due to the fire at the Kitchener Market a few days ago, the indoor screening will also be unavailable. No games will be shown at the market today,” said Arnold Yescas, arts and culture manager with the BIA, in an email to CBC News.
A fire at a vendor stall on Sunday forced the closure of the Kitchener Market this week. City of Kitchener staff are working on clean up and on a plan to hopefully reopen it this weekend.
Argentina will face England at the semi-final match at 3 p.m. Other groups are being forced to pivot as a result of the air quality in the region.
Cambridge’s Gaslight District said the people can still watch the game on the big screen, but an indoor option will be available at Tapestry Hall.
Guelph Soccer posted on social media that all programming is cancelled Wednesday and Waterloo United Soccer Club is also cancelling all practices as a result of the air quality. The group said its reviewing whether any games will proceed tonight.
Much of southwestern Ontario is under an orange-level air quality warning as a result of smoke from wildfires in the northern part of the province.
Environment and Climate Change Canada said poor air quality is expected to persist into Thursday and conditions are expected to improve Friday morning.
The national weather agency is warning people to limit how much time they spend outdoors.
“Keep windows, doors closed as much as possible and if you must spend time outdoors, wear a respirator type mask,” Henry Fung, an operational meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CBC News.
Other FIFA World Cup watch parties, including FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto, have been cancelled as well.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto team posted on social media that premium ticket holders would be contacted directly for refunds.
