Empire State Development Rallies Soccer Fans for Free FIFA World Cup 2026™ Public Community Watch Parties in Buffalo

Silo City, Canalside and West Side Bazaar will all host events

Watch parties are supported by the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program

Empire State Development is reminding soccer fans across Western New York that free, public community watch parties are locked in at three premier Buffalo locations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Fans are invited to gather at Silo City, Canalside, and the West Side Bazaar to support the U.S. Men's National Team and squads from around the globe. World Cup 2026 - running June 11 to July 19 - will be the biggest and most exciting edition of the tournament to date as 48 teams from around the globe compete in 104 fixtures. These free public watch parties reflect the efforts of Governor Hochul and ESD to bring the world's biggest sporting event to communities across New York, and are supported by the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program.

"Through the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program and with Governor Hochul's support, we are transforming three of Buffalo's most iconic and culturally diverse spaces into premier regional fan zones," said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. "Whether you are watching a match projected onto historic grain silos at Silo City, gathering on the waterfront at Canalside, or sampling global cuisine while cheering at the West Side Bazaar, these free watch parties will showcase the vibrant, welcoming spirit of Western New York."

From a historic industrial backdrop to the vibrant waterfront and a diverse cultural hub, Buffalo's viewing locations offer a unique atmosphere for every kind of sports fan. Admission to all watch parties is free, with local food vendors, family-friendly programming, and match-day festivities kicking off ahead of game times.

Explore the official watch party lineups across the Queen City below:

Canalside
Canalside will host at least three soccer watch parties to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 26™. The matches will be shown on a giant video board, with attendees able to enjoy drinks, food trucks, live music, giveaways and family-friendly activities. Fans will even have a chance to win tickets to a match in Toronto. These public viewings are a partnership between Visit Buffalo and Buffalo Waterfront.

The free U.S. Soccer watch parties at Canalside will take place on:

• Friday, June 12 - USA vs. Paraguay (event starts at 5 p.m., match starts at 9 p.m.)
• Friday, June 19 - USA vs. Australia (event starts at 1 p.m., match starts at 3 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 25 - USA vs. Türkiye (event starts at 8 p.m., match starts at 10 p.m.)
• TBD - Round of 32 USA games

For more information about viewing the World Cup matches at Canalside, visit here.

Silo City
Buffalo's Silo City will project six select matches onto the towering facades of its historic grain elevators. Throughout the tournament, the site will broadcast every match, complemented by world culture programming and local food truck pairings. This global celebration will be anchored by community soccer clinics in the weeks leading up to the event, all set against Silo City's legendary post-industrial backdrop, which houses the world's largest collection of grain elevators and the onsite Duende Bar & Restaurant. These public viewings during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be hosted by Silo City in partnership with the City of Buffalo.

The free World Cup projections at Silo City will take place on:

• Friday, June 12 - USA vs. Paraguay (match starts at 9 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 25 - USA vs. Türkiye (match starts at 10 p.m.)
• Friday, June 26 - Uruguay vs. Spain (match starts at 8 p.m.), followed by Belgium vs. New Zealand (match starts at 11 p.m.)
• Thursday, July 2 - TBD Round of 32 (match starts at 11 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 11 - TBD Quarter Finals (match starts at 9 p.m.)

For more information about viewing the World Cup matches at Silo City, as well as signing up for the free soccer clinics, culinary popups, and cultural events, visit here.

West Side Bazaar
Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI) and the West Side Bazaar are hosting an unforgettable series of free community watch parties celebrating the energy, culture, and connection that make Buffalo extraordinary. In true West Side Bazaar fashion, each event will feature specialty food and drink representing the countries in competition. The matches will be screened on multiple large televisions.

The free U.S. Soccer watch parties at the West Side Bazaar will take place on:

• Thursday, June 18 - Qatar vs. Canada (match starts at 6 p.m.)
• Friday, June 19 - USA vs. Australia (match starts at 3 p.m.)
• Wednesday, June 24 - Switzerland vs. Canada (match starts at 3 p.m.)
• Friday, June 26 - Norway vs. France (match starts at 3 p.m.)
• Stay tuned to the West Side Bazaar's social media as additional viewing events may be added.

For more information about viewing the World Cup matches at the West Side Bazaar, visit here.

Visit Buffalo also recently launched its new "Soccer Fan's Guide to Buffalo." The site is a guide to making the most of World Cup with information on the top watch parties, as well as other great ideas to round out game day.

Visit Buffalo President & CEO Patrick Kaler said, "Buffalo is ready to meet this World Cup moment in a way only we can. At Canalside, Silo City and the West Side Bazaar, fans will find three unforgettable backdrops that showcase our city's spirit, diversity and love of bringing people together. Visit Buffalo is proud to serve as a promotional partner for all of these upcoming events."

City of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said, "Buffalo is one of America's great sports cities, and we've seen firsthand how powerful it can be when fans come together to cheer on our teams. During the Sabres' playoff run this year, Canalside became the place to be, bringing thousands of people downtown and creating an incredible atmosphere for residents, visitors, and local businesses. These World Cup watch parties give us a chance to bring that energy back, showcase some of Buffalo's most iconic downtown destinations, and welcome people from across the region to celebrate the world's game together. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for helping make these events possible and for recognizing Buffalo as a city that knows how to host a great fan experience."

Silo City Executive Director Maris Grundy said, "Thanks to support from Governor Hochul, Silo City is excited to bring together Buffalo's iconic grain silos and avid sports fans for a truly unique World Cup viewing experience! Come on down to kick off the festivities on June 12th at 7:15 p.m. at Duende at Silo City. Don't miss this memorable evening as we come together to celebrate all things soccer and the vibrant spirit of Western New York. Where else would you rather be, than watching the World Cup projected on the Silos, right here, next week?"

WEDI Interim Executive Director Courtney Yonce-Swain said, "The West Side Bazaar has always been a microcosm of the world, a place where cultures intersect through food and entrepreneurship. Hosting the World Cup viewing series right here in our international business incubator feels like the ultimate alignment of our mission. We aren't just watching a game; we are celebrating the global heritage of our business owners and bringing Buffalo together around the world's sport."

As part of the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program, Governor Hochul recently announced that 12 community-based projects - including the three Buffalo projects - across seven regions of New York State have been selected as awardees through the grant program. In addition to the Community World Cup Grant Program, New York State is supporting several initiatives designed to ensure communities across the state can participate in the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.

Supporting World Cup Activations and Programming Statewide
Governor Hochul also previously announced that the state will host two large-scale public viewing events on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley, bringing thousands of people together to watch the matches in real time, as well as free Official NYNJ Fan Events across all five boroughs of New York City. For more information, including how to sign up to be notified of future New York State World Cup announcements, visit the I LOVE NY website.

Governor Hochul also announced that event organizers can host off-site activations throughout the World Cup by applying for a World Cup One-Day Permit through the New York State Liquor Authority. Bars and restaurants will be able to use the World Cup One-Day Permit process to use contiguous outdoor space to host events during the World Cup (expediting the current maximum of four days). In addition, Governor Hochul is working with the legislature to authorize temporary expansion of permissible operating hours during the World Cup, allowing bars, restaurants and other eligible on-premises establishments to remain open whenever matches are broadcast live.

As part of the FY27 Budget, the Governor has also advanced NY Kicks, a new initiative aimed at expanding youth soccer access by investing in new soccer facilities and community programming in disadvantaged communities across the state. NY Kicks also advances Governor Hochul's Get Offline, Get Outside initiative, which encourages New Yorkers to unplug from devices and spend time outdoors in their communities, by activating public spaces across the state and creating shared, active experiences for families.

These efforts also build on the State's broader strategy to maximize the economic, tourism and community benefits associated with hosting matches during the tournament.

About the New York State Community World Cup Grant Program
The New York State Community World Cup Grant Program provides funding to support community-based events tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Grants help local governments, nonprofit organizations and community partners host public watch parties and related programming designed to drive tourism, increase visitation to local businesses and ensure communities across the state can participate in the global tournament. Learn more.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.

Contact:

Pamm Lent (ESD) | [email protected] | (716) 846-8309 | (800) 260-7313
Laura Magee (ESD) | [email protected] | (716) 846-8239 | (800) 260-7313