The lawns of BC’s iconic parliament buildings will soon transform into a soccer fan’s dream when FIFA’s countrywide celebration programme, Canada Celebrates, gets a test run in Victoria on March 31.
The series of free-to-the-public, one-day community celebrations is set to travel the country from coast-to-coast-to-coast in the lead up to and during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ tournament.
Canada Celebrates will bring soccer fans together for live match viewings, soccer-themed activations, cultural programming, music, food and more, all designed to engage fans and communities outside of Toronto and Vancouver—Canada’s host cities for the FIFA World Cup. The March 31 test event on the Legislative Assembly grounds is strategically timed to stream two of the four European play-off final showdowns for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as well as the Canada’s Men’s National Team friendly against Tunisia.
“There is so much momentum and good will surrounding this event,” said Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, “We are honoured to host it. Members have really come together in support of this, not to mention the community.”
In matching FIFA World Cup 2026™ Vancouver scarves, Government and Official Opposition Members — including Premier
@Dave_Eby and Interim Conservative Leader
@TrevHal — gathered on the steps of the Legislature earlier this week to showcase their enthusiasm. “British Columbians are huge soccer fans and we are absolutely thrilled to be hosting seven of the FIFA World Cup games in beautiful Vancouver,” said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
@AnneKangBurnaby , “Now we have the privilege of hosting the first Canada Celebrates fan experience here in Victoria. It’s wonderful.”
Official Opposition critic for Sport,
@MDHALIWAL4BC, echoed the sentiment: “I love soccer and I love the energy that the
@FIFAWorldCup is bringing to our province.
@FIFAcom Canada Celebrates community stops are great—good for tourism, good for business, and good for the soul.”
Canada Celebrates events are open to the public and there is no admission fee. This test event will offer a preview of elements of the Canada Celebrates experience ahead of the full programming that will be rolled out when Canada Celebrates officially kicks-off in June 2026.