Soccer fans in Central New York won't need a ticket to the stadium or a costly streaming subscription to experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup this summer.
Visit Syracuse is organizing a series of free outdoor watch parties in downtown Syracuse, giving residents and visitors a chance to watch matches alongside fellow fans at two public venues.
The four-event series will take place at the Everson Plaza and the WCNY Courtyard, with large screens broadcasting select matches throughout the tournament. Organizers say the events will feature food trucks, themed food and beverage offerings, and other community activities designed to create a festival atmosphere.
The series begins June 19 with the United States facing Australia.
Additional watch parties are planned through July 19, when fans can gather to watch the tournament final.
Visit Syracuse says the project received support through New York state's Community World Cup Grant Program.
Organizers say the watch parties are intended to make the tournament accessible to local fans while bringing additional activity to downtown Syracuse during the summer months.
Both venues are free and open to the public.
A full schedule of matches and event details is expected to be released ahead of the tournament.
