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World Cup watch parties set for Worcester Common

  • Posted by Worcester News May 29 - Filed in News - #Worcester  #Worcester Common  #World Cup  - 1,160 views

    WORCESTER — The City of Worcester and several regional partners will host a series of free FIFA World Cup 2026 watch parties on Worcester Common this summer, bringing residents together to celebrate soccer, culture and community.

    The initiative, dubbed "Game On Worcester," was announced Thursday by the city in partnership with Discover Central Massachusetts, the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, the Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants, Massachusetts Youth Soccer and 4Life Entertainment.

    The series will feature 4 public viewing events on Worcester Common, where fans can watch World Cup matches on a large outdoor screen while enjoying food, entertainment and family friendly activities.

    Channel 4 recently featured a Ghanaian restaurant in Worcester that's ready to give World Cup fans a taste of home country. Watch it here.

    "The City of Worcester is honored to be one of several communities in the state to host watch parties," City Manager Eric Batista said in a statement. "This is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the game of soccer, one another, and our city."

    Mayor Joseph Petty said the events will showcase Worcester's diversity and unite residents through the world's most popular sport.

    "We are so excited to bring the world's game right here to Worcester," Petty said. "These watch parties are all about bringing our community together, celebrating our city's incredible diversity, and cheering on the beautiful game as one."

    The city said the series was officially confirmed after receiving the required public screening license this week.

    The first watch party is scheduled for Saturday, June 13th. Worcester Common will open at 5 p.m. before Brazil faces Morocco at 6 p.m. and Haiti takes on Scotland at 9 p.m. The Common will close at 11.

    A second event will be Tuesday, June 23rd. The Common will open at 3 p.m., with England scheduled to play Ghana at 4. Activities will conclude at 9.

    Massachusetts Youth Soccer will partner with the city for a World Cup semifinal watch party on Tuesday, July 14th. Worcester Common will open at 2, with the semifinal match beginning at 3.

    The series will culminate Sunday, July 19th, with a watch party for the World Cup final. The Common will open at 1, and the championship match is scheduled for 3.

    In addition to live match screenings, organizers said attendees can expect local food vendors, cultural performances, music, family activities, youth engagement opportunities, soccer clinics and interactive games led by Roots Soccer Academy and Worcester City Football Academy. Community organizations and nonprofit groups will also participate in the events.

    Admission is free, though attendees are encouraged to preregister to help organizers manage capacity. Registration links for each event are available at DiscoverCentralMA.org/gameon.

    The city said Worcester Common and surrounding streets will be closed to vehicle traffic before and during the events. Additional details regarding road closures and detours will be announced closer to each date.

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