With the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer finals upon us from South Africa, World Cup fever is sky-high around the globe. One great upshot of this is that the World Cup is providing some opportunities for good camaraderie and fun, as many communities are opting to erect giant outdoor screens, so people can enjoy the games for free, often in kid-friendly settings.
In San Francisco, World Cup Soccer will be displayed outdoors at Civic Center Plaza. The city first screened World Cup Soccer outdoors in Dolores Park in 2006, and is offering 10 dates for viewings this year, from June 11-July 11. In addition to the soccer games screening live from South Africa, the event will feature food, games and children’s activities. Read more about San Francisco World Cup screenings.
In Seattle, games will be broadcast on a big screen in Nord Alley, near Pioneer Square, over a whopping 25 dates. Seattle’s International Sustainability Institute is sponsoring the free screenings, at which food will be sold. Nord Alley already has a history of soccer madness — Seattle Sounders fans gather there to celebrate before and after matches. Read more about Seattle World Cup screenings.
Portland, OR’s, Director Park, near Pioneer Courthouse Square, will be the site of two World Cup outdoor screenings, June 12 and July 11. Portland has also had successful outdoor soccer viewing events in the past. Read more about Portland World Cup screenings.
Houston is hosting outdoor viewings, courtesy of the Houston Dynamo team, for all USA and Mexico World Cup matches, as well as for the semifinals on July 6 & 7 and the final on July 11. Events will take at Discovery Green, downtown, and will feature lots of kid-friendly activities and entertainment. Read more about Houston World Cup screenings.
Chicago is hosting a festival and viewing June 12, sponsored by that city’s South African Consulate. Read more about Chicago World Cup screenings.
In New York City, head to Brooklyn for World Cup screenings June 12, 20 and 27, on Vanderbilt Avenue, between Dean Street and Park Place, as part of the second annual Summer Streets on Vanderbilt event. The street will be closed to traffic. In addition to World Cup soccer, people can take in musical entertainment, children’s games, contests, food, and fashion shows. Read more about New York World Cup screenings.
London will be host to multiple viewing events, throughout the month, including the Afro Cup Festival, which celebrates African music, art, culture and more, along with soccer/football viewing. Read more about London World Cup screenings.
Oslo puts most of the rest of the soccer-viewing world to shame: Every single World Cup match — more than 50 of them — will be screened outdoors at Kontraskjæret by Akershus Fortress. The arena opens two hours before the first match of the day, and entry is free. Read more about Oslo World Cup screenings.
Perth is also home to its share of screenings, which will take place new Northbridge Piazza, a great new public space in Northbridge, Perth’s entertainment district. 22 games are scheduled through the finals. Read more about Perth World Cup screenings.
If anyone has any tips on other outdoor screenings, let me know. Happy viewing!
Photo: Fans celebrating the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Audrey & Patrick Scales
