The World Cup has officially arrived, with matches taking place in Canada, the United States, and Mexico from Thursday, June 11, until Sunday, July 19.
The countries that qualified for the competition are divided into 12 groups of four, with teams in each group playing each other once.
After the group stage, the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams from the groups advance to the Round of 32 knockout stage.
Group stage matches will be played from Thursday, June 11, until Saturday, June 27.
Here are some of the top places for Hamiltonians to watch the competition.
HAMILTON STADIUM – 64 MELROSE AVENUE NORTH
Hamilton’s Forge FC soccer team will be hosting three free public viewing parties at Hamilton Stadium for the Canadian national team matches.
Each match will be broadcast live on the stadium videoboard and inside the Captain’s Lounge, food and beverages will be available for purchase, and a designated portion of the pitch will be open for mini soccer games.
There will also be Forge FC player appearances, autograph opportunities, inflatables, mascot appearances and Forge FC giveaways.
The three matches are Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, June 12 at 3PM, Canada vs. Qatar on Thursday, June 18 at 6 p.m., and Canada vs. Switzerland on Wednesday, June 24 at 3 p.m.
Fans can RSVP here.
SILVERCITY BURLINGTON CINEMAS – 1250 BRANT STREET
A number of World Cup matches will be broadcast at select Cineplex movie theatres across the country.
Hamilton’s closest location is in Burlington.
Cineplex will be playing 29 matches, including all of Canada’s matches, the World Cup semi-finals and the World Cup final.
Tickets are $9.99, access to concessions will be available, and further details can be found here.
ENDZONE BAR AND GRILL – 1305 MAIN STREET EAST
Hamilton’s Endzone Bar and Grill will be broadcasting every World Cup match live in HD with sound on their 15-foot big screens, new 100-inch screen, and 32 flat-screen TVs.
STONEY CREEK LEGION – 12 KING STREET EAST
The Battlefield Stoney Creek Legion is hosting a World Cup BBQ to celebrate the tournament’s opening weekend on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13.
A BBQ will take place on both days from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Five matches will be shown: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, USA vs. Paraguay, Qatar vs. Switzerland, Brazil vs. Morocco, and Haiti vs. Scotland.
GERMANIA CLUB OF HAMILTON – 863 KING STREET EAST
The Germania Club of Hamilton will be screening six matches on its big screen, including all of Canada’s and Germany’s games.
The events are sponsored by Denniger’s and Paulaner Canada. Some matches will also feature live music afterwards.
HAMILTON ITALIAN CENTRE – 420 CRERAR DRIVE
Italy did not qualify for the World Cup this year, but the Hamilton Italian Centre will be hosting a watch party for Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, June 12.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the team that beat Italy in World Cup qualifying to earn a spot at the tournament.
LATIN BACKYARD FEST – 92 BARTON STREET EAST
On Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, June 27 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. the Hanrahan Event Centre will be hosting a Latin Backyard Fest and World Cup Watch Party, with matches on giant LED screens, live music and DJs, and Latin food and drinks.
Entry is $25, and details can be found here.
HAMILTON PORTUGUESE BAND HALL (CASA DA BANDA) – 129 MACNAB STREET NORTH
The Hamilton Portuguese Band Hall is the place to be for all Portugal matches, which will be held on Wednesday, June 17 at 1PM, Tuesday, June 23 at 1 p.m., and Saturday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m.
The highlight will be June 27 when Portugal faces Colombia.
THE CROATIAN SPORTS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE – 166 GREEN MOUNTAIN ROAD EAST
The Croatian Sports and Community Centre will show all of Croatia’s matches, which take place on Wednesday, June 17 at 4 p.m., Tuesday, June 23 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, June 27 at 5 p.m.
The highlight will be June 17 when Croatia faces England.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
