Canada will be taking the pitch in Houston for a FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Morocco. In Ottawa, preparations are underway for watch parties in spots across the city for what will be the Canadian men’s soccer team’s biggest match in history. Here is where you can catch all the action for the beautiful game: LeBreton Flats The free watch party will open its doors at 11 a.m with the game set for 1 p.m. Organizers say the event is free, but you will be entering the gates similar to a ticketed event like Bluesfest. Attendance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The City of Ottawa and the federal government are teaming up to host the event with support from Bluesfest. Mark Monahan, Bluesfest’s executive director, says organizers are setting up everything as they normally would. Four screens will allow up to 20,000 fans to see the game, and the sound system will allow them to hear it across the park. Food trucks will be available. Just before the start of the match, a chinook fly over will take place. “We want to create an opportunity for Ottawa to come and enjoy the game with each other because it brings people together,” says Yasir Naqvi, the MP for Ottawa Centre. TD Place Atlético Ottawa will host a watch party for those who hold tickets for their game against Cavalry FC at TD Place on Saturday. Interim head coach Drew Beckie says viewers will be able to watch the game on the big screen. Doors at Gate 1 will open at 12:45 p.m. Atlético had previously confirmed that kick-off time for the match had been moved to 4 p.m. to avoid clashing with the most important men’s professional soccer match in Canada’s history. “We didn’t want to feel that that people had to make a decision to watch just the national team or us,” explains Beckie. “People can come early and watch the game live.” Restaurants, pubs and more Restaurants and pubs across the city will be airing the historic match. The Senate Tavern’s three locations will be among those showing Canada’s match against Morocco. Clarence Street location manager Sean Macdougall says each location will be walk in first-come-first served basis. “I’d say get here as early as you can. We open at 11:30, so I think we might have a line by the time we open. So pretty excited.” The Glebe Central Pub hosts every World Cup match live at their Bank Street location. Deacon Brodies Pub on Elgin Street also airs the World Cup matches. Certain Cineplex locations in the city will be playing the World Cup match on the big screen.
