Toronto and Vancouver are the Canadian host cities for this year’s FIFA World Cup.Photo illustration by The Globe and Mail. Sources: Chris Young/CP, Darryl Dyck/CP, Christopher Katsarov/The Globe and Mail
From June 11 to July 19, soccer (or football) fans all over the world will watch the biggest tournament in FIFA history take place. The 23rd edition of the World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams – and the first to include Canada as one of its three host countries.
Thirteen matches play out in Canada: six in Toronto and seven in Vancouver. Toronto’s first match, on June 12, is the opening game for Canada’s national team, marking the first-ever men’s World Cup match to be played here.
In Vancouver, the FIFA Fan Festival in the PNE Grounds at Hastings Park is a free, family-friendly environment to watch on-screen matches, play games and catch live entertainment. In Toronto, the Bentway – a public space under the Gardiner Expressway – is home to Toronto’s official FIFA Fan Festival, offering free public viewing of matches along with art installations, musical performances and plenty of food for purchase.
Looking for a more intimate spot to watch? Here are our suggestions of Toronto and Vancouver’s best neighbourhood bars and five-star hotels to cheer on your team.
Toronto
Café Diplomatico – 594 College St.
A Little Italy staple with the nickname “Soccer HQ,” Café Diplomatico will be a hotspot for World Cup viewing. The bar and restaurant has 15 medium-sized screens, two large screens and one large paneled video wall on the back of its patio that has high-quality definition without glare. Staff plan to play as many matches as possible, depending on demand for overlapping games, with sound on throughout.
To celebrate the opening and final matches, Café Diplomatico will also host a block party on adjoining Clinton Street. Throughout the tournament, fans can expect drink packages, giveaways and a lively atmosphere with passionate soccer lovers.
Café Diplomatico patrons watch Italy lose a World Cup qualifying match to Bosnia and Herzegovina – Canada’s first opponent in the tournament – on March 31.Laura Proctor/The Canadian Press
The Dock Ellis – 1280 Dundas St. W
This sports bar in Little Portugal has a dedicated soccer following, making it a guaranteed destination for World Cup viewing. The bar has 11 TVs and three projectors, foosball and pool tables and shuffleboard and pinball games. It offers southern-style comfort food made in-house and a wide range of local craft beer, bespoke cocktails and mocktails. Raucous vibes guaranteed.
Hemingway’s – 142 Cumberland St.
This Yorkville institution has been around for more than 40 years and is no stranger to drawing crowds for soccer viewing parties. The New Zealand-style pub boasts one of the city’s largest rooftop patios and has 25 TVs spread over four floors. The restaurant will show every World Cup match throughout the tournament, with a guaranteed view from every seat in the house. Fans of all teams can expect an enthusiastic, game-focused atmosphere accompanied by traditional pub grub.
Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel – 550 Wellington St. W
For those looking to be close to the action without the chaos of crowds, Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel in Toronto’s King West neighbourhood will show matches high above the city. On game days, the bar offers a lively yet exclusive rooftop atmosphere with six jumbo TV screens, elevated cocktails and Asian-inspired share plates in an indoor-outdoor space set against panoramic skyline views.
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Dbar by Daniel Boulud at Four Seasons Hotel – 60 Yorkville Ave.
If you’ve always wanted to watch a rousing soccer match while indulging in oysters, duck croquettes and zucchini flowers, Dbar by Daniel Boulud at Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel may be the place. Complete with three large-format 1920 x 864 resolution digital screens, immersive surround sound, fancy drinks and a seasonal menu, the high-end cocktail bar provides an upscale World Cup watching experience.
Still not luxurious enough? Rent out the Royal Viewing Club, which transforms the hotel’s Royal and Presidential suites into viewing lounges for private parties of up to 15 guests. It comes with a caviar trolley, a charcuterie board, traditional soccer cheering scarves and other luxuries, if you’re willing to break the bank – packages start at $3,700.
Shangri-La Hotel – 188 University Ave.
The five-star hotel will show select matches at its two restaurants, the Lobby Lounge & Bar and the bosk Patio. Each location offers 65-inch screens, cocktails and seasonal menus for a relaxed yet high-end environment.
Looking for more luxury? The hotel also offers “an elevated soccer viewing experience” that includes a private theatre to watch games, the ability to stream live games or past iconic matches on-demand, dedicated “Match Butler” service and a curated stadium-inspired menu. To reserve the space costs at least $6,000.
Vancouver
Red Card Sports Bar + Eatery – 560 Smithe St.
Known for its European atmosphere and focus on soccer, Red Card is a high-spirited spot to catch a match. The bar will show FIFA matches at all hours of the day. With 16 HD plasma TVs, two 106-inch projectors, surround sound and deals on pizza, wings and beer, this place is for being immersed in sports fandom while munching on bar snacks and Italian comfort food.
The Park Pub – 1755 Davie St.
A soccer-viewing destination in Vancouver’s West End, The Park Pub has 17 HD screens (including one 100-inch TV), a 150-inch projector, a patio with its own bar, three more large TVs and lounge seating. To create the ultimate match-day atmosphere, the pub will run full sound for major games and offer fan-friendly promotions throughout the tournament. During Canada’s opening match, the bar will sell $6 draft pints for an hour before kickoff – and the discount holds until the first goal is scored.
Hero’s Welcome – 3917 Main St.
Hero’s Welcome is a casual, community-driven pub and event space in Mount Pleasant that recreates the blue-collar welcome of a veterans club. Select World Cup matches play on a large projector screen and seven TVs. For earlier games, home-baked goods and sandwiches will be served, while for afternoon and evening games there will be elevated pub fare from the regular menu. Its Taurus Room, a private space typically used for karaoke, can also be booked for up to 20 guests to watch a feature match.
Star striker Jonathan David, seen controlling the ball in a recent game against Tunisia, and his Canadian teammates will play their first World Cup group stage match in Toronto and the remaining two in Vancouver.GEOFF ROBINS/AFP/Getty Images
DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection Hotel/JW Marriott Parq – 39-45 Smithe St.
JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and the DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection are two connected hotels located just steps away from BC Place, the stadium at the centre of the World Cup action. Both offer curated food and beverages and programming dedicated to the game. That includes a special “Summer of Soccer” menu at the rooftop JW Garden, a pop-up patio that overlooks BC Place stadium.
Every match is shown at the Sportsbook Lounge at Parq Casino on the resort property. Fans can watch games on a 50-foot screen and participate in jersey giveaways for every Canada game. The casino will open a beer garden during matches, with $6 drinks throughout the games and a live DJ for three hours after every BC Place match.
Fairmont Pacific Rim – 1038 Canada Place
Fairmont Pacific Rim offers another upscale World Cup viewing experience. The hotel will show FIFA World Cup matches on a large screen at their outdoor venue, Pac Rim Sports Patio. This pop-up patio is located on the hotel’s front plaza and serves up tacos, churros, canned cocktails and 33 Acres Brewing Co. beer alongside (hopefully) exhilarating soccer matches.
Fancy FIFA viewing can be found in several of Vancouver’s high-end hotels, though details were still hard to confirm at press time. At harbourfront Pan Pacific Vancouver at 999 Canada Place #300, matches play out on four 75-inch screens at its sleek Coal Harbour Bar. Fans can dine on a World Cup-inspired menu in a venue that offers water and mountain views.
Those looking for intimate, upscale viewing can head to the family-run, five-star Wedgewood Hotel & Spa at 845 Hornby St. Watch games in the Lounge bar, note the FIFA floral arrangements throughout the hotel and ask about possible ballroom watch parties. At the Rosewood Hotel Georgia at 801 W Georgia St., the hotel’s rooftop Reflections lounge will be showing matches. Check the websites for more activities closer to the event.
