Maple Ridge entertains about 500 fans at first World Cup watch party

Maple Ridge entertains about 500 fans at first World Cup watch party

Published 8:00 pm Friday, June 12, 2026

Kids from Thomas Haney brought the right Team Canada spirit to the Game On watch Party in Memorial Peace Park on Friday, for Canada’s opening game of the FIFA World Cup. (Neil Corbett/The News)

Enber, 3, gets a chance on goal. (Neil Corbett/The News)

Liam Zelinski, just over two, has already got the ball on his feet. (Neil Corbett/The News)

Kids play soccer on the lawn of Memorial Peace Park at the Game On viewing party. (Neil Corbett/The News)

There was a big crowd out for the first game between Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina. (Neil Corbett/The News)

Playing a game that looks like human foosball. (Neil Corbett/The News)

Soccer fans brought lawn chairs and blankets and found a spot in front of the 20-foot screen. (Neil Corbett/The News)

Amaan Jaffer with his daughters Niara (left) and Emerie were dressed in their Team Canada best for the World Cup watch party in Memorial Peace Park on Friday, June 12. (Neil Corbett/The News)

There were an estimated 500 people in Memorial Peace Park as the City of Maple Ridge hosted a viewing party for Team Canada’s opening game for the FIFA World Cup tournament on Friday, June 12.

People who walked into the park were impressed with what the city had put together – the 20-foot screen, a giant inflatable World Cup Trophy that doubled as a target for kids to shoot on, a human Foosball soccer game, kids playing mini soccer on the lawns, people getting tacos from a food truck, and much more.

“This is pretty fun – it’s great for families,” said Amaan Jaffer, who brought his two daughters Niara, 8, and Emerie, 5, all dressed in their Team Canada best.

The fans were mostly dressed in national jerseys, red and white clothes, and draped in Maple Leaf flags.

“This is great – I love the atmosphere, and this is bigger than I thought it would be,” said Daniela Hampton, while her three-year-old son Enber took shots on an inflatable goal keeper.

“There’s a lot going on here,” she added.

Numerous people said the city viewing party exceeded their expectations.

“This is amazing – bigger than we expected,” said Lucas Helmink, who joined his friends from Thomas Haney Secondary – all of them soccer players. They wrapped themselves in Maple Leaf flags and came to watch the game together.

There were also predictions that the crowds will grow as the World Cup progresses, and when school is out for the summer.

The Game On viewing parties promise big screens and big energy. The next viewing parties are scheduled for:

• Thursday, June 18 (Canada vs Qatar) – 3-7 p.m., Memorial Peace Park (game 3 p.m.)

• Wednesday, June 24 (Canada vs Switzerland) noon, Memorial Peace Park

• Wednesday, July 1 (Canada Day) – 1 and 5 p.m. games, The ACT Arts Centre

• Tuesday, July 14 (semi-final) – noon, Memorial Peace Park

• Wednesday, July 15 (semi-final)– noon, The ACT Arts Centre

• Sunday, July 19 (final) noon, Memorial Peace Park.

The city is also running a promotion with downtown businesses where participants can enter prize draws.

Details are available at mapleridge.ca.