City of Cambridge Adds FIFA World Cup Final Watch Party to Close Out Cambridge United Series

In support of the upcoming World Cup soccer final, the City of Cambridge will be adding one more soccer watch party to its Cambridge United – Where the World Comes Together series. In addition to hosting a World Cup quarterfinal watch party at Cambridge Crossing on July 9 at 4 p.m., the City will be partnering with the Office of Tourism and CambridgeSide to host a free watch party for the World Cup final around CambridgeSide on Sunday, July 19. Festivities will begin at 2 p.m. and kickoff starts at 3 p.m.

For the final, screens will be set up at Canal Park, First near Hurley Street, and First near Cambridge Street. A Youth Soccer Fan Zone will also be set up at Canal Park just outside the CanalSide Food + Drink at CambridgeSide.

For both watch parties, participants are encouraged to bring a beach or lawn chair and cold water to stay hydrated.

The License Commission has also authorized the sale of alcohol-to-go sales for permitted businesses within designated open container districts/public consumption zones in and around Cambridge Crossing and CambridgeSide the day of each of the watch parties. Authorized hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The last "to-go" service will occur at 10:45 p.m. Businesses interested in obtaining permits for alcohol-to-go sales should contact license@cambridgema.gov.

View maps for the temporary public consumption zones for Cambridge Crossing and CambridgeSide at City of Cambridge Approves Seasonal Sale of Alcohol-to-Go, Public Consumption Districts, and Extended Hours to Support Local Businesses.

Remaining World Cup Watch Party Schedule

The watch party schedule, games, and locations are outlined below:

• Thursday, July 9 – Quarterfinals (East Cambridge – Cambridge Crossing Viewing Area)
  • Festivities start at 2 p.m. France versus Morocco match will start at 4 p.m.
  • Shop at the Afro-Caribbean Market starting at 2 p.m. on Jacobs Street, enjoy family-friendly soccer activities on Dawes Field starting at 3 p.m., enjoy local fare, grab game viewing drinks to-go from a CX retailer, meet Cambridge non-profits, and experience World Cup fever!
    

• Saturday, July 19 – Finals (CambridgeSide) – Three Locations
  • Festivities begin at 2 p.m. The final will start at 3 p.m.
  • Enjoy family-friendly activities in the Canal Park Fan Zone, shop for team gear and more in the CambridgeSide Shopping Zone, and savor delicious food and refreshing drinks in the Dining Zones—all while taking in the excitement of the final match.

Through six Cambridge United watch parties, Cambridge has hosted thousands of residents and fans across commercial districts and neighborhoods around the City, including Central Square, Harvard Square, Inman Square, and Kendall Square.

In the spring, Cambridge received grant funding from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism in support of the World Cup. The grant funding, combined with matching funds from the City, Cambridge Office of Tourism and additional support from Cambridge’s Business Associations, has supported the outdoor celebrations that have been designed to bring residents, visitors, and local businesses together for a month of global connection and community pride.

The City will continue to coordinate with public safety, transportation, and accessibility partners to ensure the events are safe and welcoming for all interested participants.

To learn more, visit the Cambridge United website: https://www.cambridgema.gov/soccerevents.