On April 8, 2026, the City of Kamloops announced that Kamloops was a successful recipient of the Province of British Columbia’s 2026 Community Event Support Fund, which will allow it to host public watch parties and other community events for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Kamloops received $90,000 in a grant from the B.C. government, which came from the provincial government’s 2026 Community Event Support Fund. The fund, announced in late March, was created to enable communities across BC to host experiences for residents.
“We are thrilled to help communities throughout B.C. share in the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Anne Kang said. “This is the world’s largest single-sport event, and we’re making sure everyone can share in the energy, pride and social benefits of hosting. Through this funding, we’re creating more opportunities for people in B.C. to feel connected to the World Cup experience closer to home.”
According to the city, the events will take place from June 11 through the tournament’s final match on July 19 at Riverside Park in downtown.
“We’re excited to bring people together in Kamloops for community events and watch parties for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Deputy Mayor Margot Middleton said in a release. “Canada’s Tournament Capital has a long history being a hub for sporting events and this provincial funding allows us to showcase our vibrant, accessible, and diverse community.”
The licensed watch party and games will be broadcast on a screen at the Rotary Bandshell, where fans can sit on the park lawn to watch. Additionally, enhanced events, including family-focused activities, soccer-focused activities, live entertainment, food trucks, and beer gardens, will be held during Team Canada games and the final.
The final schedule of events has yet to be released, but the city says they are working with several community partners to host the celebrations.
“This is all possible thanks to our strong collaboration with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, Tourism Kamloops, the Kamloops Sports Council, the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, and Kamloops United Football Club,” said Andrew Smeaton, the city’s business operations and events supervisor.
Team Canada’s first match, against Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be on June 12 at the Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), marking the first-ever time a men’s FIFA World Cup match will be played on Canadian soil.