Where to watch the FIFA World Cup in Niagara

Where to watch the FIFA World Cup in Niagara

The official FIFA World Cup Fan Zone can be found across from Niagara Falls

The FIFA World Cup has arrived in Canada, Mexico and the U.S..

Six games will be played at BMO Field in Toronto, starting on Friday, June 12 with Canada taking on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Those who wish to avoid stadium crowds and traffic but still want to cheer on their team won’t have to do so alone in the Niagara region. There are a handful of viewing parties in the area, including the massive Fan Zone by the Falls and a number of other community-hosted events.

The Fan Zone by the Falls kicked off Thursday, effectively bringing a mini FIFA festival to Queen Victoria Park overlooking Niagara Falls. It’s a dedicated area for fans to celebrate the best soccer in the world with a view of one of its most spectacular natural wonders. And it’s free.

Large outdoor screens will display all games between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily from June 11 to July 19. Matches scheduled for 10 p.m. or later will not be screened.

On-site activities include foosball, soccer-themed target practice, cornhole and entertainment from face painters, balloon artists and live musical acts between games on the weekend.

There’s also a licensed and covered patio and food options.

Ulyee Choe his wife Nadia, and daughter Norah travelled all the way from their home in Tampa, Florida, to view the sights in Niagara Falls.

“It’s pretty neat that FIFA is in the Americas. I think that’s great,” Ulyee said as his family walked through the Fan Zone. “We’re not diehard fans,” he admitted. Asked if he thinks the United States has a decent chance of winning the World Cup, Ulyee’s response was muted: “maybe,” he said.

Nearby, the Falls will illuminate nightly at 10 p.m. with a 15-minute light show featuring the colours of the tournament's host and competing nations.

The location is also the final stop on the eastern tour of FIFA’s Canada Celebrates program, which brings free screenings and FIFA festivities to 34 communities. Canada Celebrates is scheduled to take over the Fan Zone by the Falls on July 18 and 19.

Cross-country tour to celebrate FIFA World Cup to wrap with stop in Niagara Falls in July

Community FIFA World Cup screenings in Niagara

Several community spaces and clubs have made their own plans to get together for the games.

The Welland Soccer Club is hosting three viewing parties open to the public.

On June 18 at 6 p.m., they will project Canada against Qatar onto the 30-foot screens at the Youngs Sportsplex in Welland. On June 24, they will show Canada versus Switzerland at 3 p.m. followed by Brazil versus Scotland. And on June 27, it’s a triple header starting at 5 p.m. with England versus Panama, followed by Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, versus Columbia and 2022 World Cup champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, versus Jordan.

The Club Italia Event Centre in Niagara Falls will be showing some games in their club lounge, and asks the public to call 905-374-7388 to confirm who is playing and on what date. Management expects tables to fill up quickly on game nights, so arrive early.

Club Roma in St. Catharines is also screening most games at their clubhouse restaurant, Sala 61.

And while technically not a screening party, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Soccer Club will host a World Cup-themed event at the Centennial Sports Park in Virgil.

The club’s members will play and train starting at 9 a.m.. There will be a BBQ, an ice cream bike and a bouncy castle open to the public all day.

Coleman Molnar is a CBC reporter and editor based in the Niagara Region. Previously he served as an associate producer with CBC Radio in B.C.'s Interior. He also works as a freelance writer, contributing regularly to publications like GQ and Autostrada Magazine. You can reach him at coleman.molnar@cbc.ca.