Watch Parties
Host and List Your Watch Party
Watch parties, or “Public Viewing Events,” bring international visitors and local fans together for unforgettable moments—and they’re great for business. The energy is contagious, the crowds are ready to celebrate, and the spending follows. To help you make the most of this once-in-a-generation event, we’re offering Burnaby businesses financial support to host watch parties that draw in fans and boost your bottom line. Host, and get your parties listed.
Public Viewing Event Categories
If you’re planning to show FIFA World Cup 26™ matches to the public anywhere outside a private home, your event is considered a Public Viewing Event and must follow FIFA World Cup 26™ guidelines.
This applies to: Bars, cafés, or restaurants; Community centres; plus Parks and outdoor spaces.
Watch parties must fall into the non-commercial category
What it covers:
- Regular business operations like bars, restaurants, and hotels showing matches as
part of their normal service - Small community events under 1,000 people
- No ticket sales or sponsors
- FIFA World Cup 26™ License Required?: No (No fee)
If you want to host a larger free event with over 1,000 people through a public institution such as a church, university, or municipality—with no sponsorship or ticketing—you’ll need a Special Non-Commercial license and may incur technical fees. Commercial events require licensing too: any event with ticket sales, sponsorship, branded activations, paid entry, or activity designed for commercial gain falls under the Commercial category and comes with licenses, fees, and additional restrictions.
Does my venue qualify for a Watch Party?
Approved applicants must be a licensed restaurant, bar, pub, or hospitality venue located within the City of Burnaby and hold all required municipal and provincial licenses to host events and serve alcohol (if applicable). Venues must be open to the public for watch party events. Temporary or pop-up venues are not eligible unless explicitly approved by Tourism Burnaby, and venues operated by national or multi-location chains may be considered at Tourism Burnaby’s discretion. For capacity requirements, capacity is defined as the venue’s maximum legal occupant load for the primary watch party space, as determined by fire code occupancy signage or municipal or licensing documentation. Tourism Burnaby reserves the right to request documentation to verify capacity.
Apply for a grant
The Watch Party Hosting Grant gives you financial support to create an unforgettable experience while boosting your business during one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Connect with international visitors and locals looking for places to celebrate, gain visibility through Tourism Burnaby’s consumer-facing website and promotional efforts, and offset the costs of transforming your venue into a destination for FIFA World Cup 26™
Let People Know About Your Watch Party
If you’ve already committed to hosting Watch Parties or you’ve been approved for a grant and are ready to go, let us know. We’ll share your party information on our events calendar with fans.