ESD rallies soccer fans for free FIFA World Cup 2026 public community watch parties in Buffalo

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

Empire State Development press release 

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 Gov. Kathy 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 Gov. Hochul’s support, we are transforming three of Buffalo’s most iconic and culturally diverse spaces into premier regional fan zones,” ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said. “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 – U.S. vs. Paraguay (event starts at 5 p.m., match starts at 9 p.m.)

√ Friday, June 19 – U.S. vs. Australia (event starts at 1 p.m., match starts at 3 p.m.)

√ Thursday, June 25 – U.S. 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:

√ Friday, June 12 – U.S. vs. Paraguay (match starts at 9 p.m.)

√ Thursday, June 25 – U.S. 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 quarterfinals (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:

√ Thursday, June 18 – Qatar vs. Canada (match starts at 6 p.m.)

√ Friday, June 19 – U.S. 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 and 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 Gov. 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 Gov. 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 12 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, Hochul recently announced that 12 community-based projects – including the three Buffalo projects – across seven regions of New York were selected as awardees through the grant program. In addition to the Community World Cup Grant program, New York is supporting several initiatives designed to ensure communities across the state can participate in the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.