Soccer fans in Victoria will get an early taste of the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup later this month.
The lawns of the BC Legislature will host a special fan celebration as part of a nationwide program designed to bring World Cup festivities to communities across Canada.
The free public event, scheduled for Tuesday, March 31st, will serve as a test run for Canada Celebrates, a nationwide program designed to bring World Cup festivities to communities across the country.
The celebration will feature live match screenings, soccer-themed activities, cultural programming, music and food.
Organizers say the initiative is meant to engage fans outside of Toronto and Vancouver, the two Canadian host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Victoria test event is timed to coincide with several key matches, including two European playoff finals that will determine qualification for the World Cup, along with a friendly match featuring Canada’s men’s national team against Tunisia.
“There is so much momentum and goodwill surrounding this event,” said Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the BC Legislative Assembly, in a statement.
“We are honoured to host it. Members have really come together in support of this, not to mention the community.”
Earlier this week, government and Opposition MLAs gathered on the steps of the legislature wearing FIFA World Cup Vancouver scarves to highlight their support for the event, including Premier David Eby and interim Conservative leader Trevor Halford.
Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Minister Anne Kang said the event will give British Columbians another opportunity to celebrate the upcoming tournament.
“British Columbians are huge soccer fans, and we are absolutely thrilled to be hosting seven of the FIFA World Cup games in beautiful Vancouver,” Kang said.
“Now, we have the privilege of hosting the first Canada Celebrates fan experience here in Victoria.”
Opposition sport critic Mandeep Dhaliwal said the celebrations are expected to bring positive energy to communities across the province.
“I love soccer and I love the energy that the FIFA World Cup is bringing to our province,” he said. “FIFA’s Canada Celebrates community stops are great — good for tourism, good for business and good for the soul.”
The Victoria event is being organized through a partnership between the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, the City of Victoria and the Greater Victoria Tourism Commission.
Canada Celebrates events will take place in communities across the country leading up to and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in June.
