Vancouver World Cup watch parties packed for Canada-South Africa game

Playing null of undefined

CTV National News: Canadian fans flock to Los Angeles for highly anticipated South Africa match

CTV National News: Canada’s World Cup run inspires the next generation of soccer stars

Trio of fast friends road tripping to L.A. for Canada game

People started lining up to get into the FIFA Fan Festival in Vancouver to cheer on Canada hours before kickoff Sunday.

With roughly one hour left to go before the team took the pitch against South Africa, organizers said the amphitheatre—which can hold close to 10,000 people—was virtually at capacity.

The venue was a sea of red and white as the national anthem was sung before the game started.

The FIFA Fan Festival is just one of the venues where crowds have been flocking to watch Canada’s historic World Cup run.

The FIFA Fan Festival has seen is highest attendance on dates when Canada was playing at Vancouver’s B.C. Place, drawing more than 40,000 on June 18 and June 24.

In North Vancouver, Canada Soccer House was at capacity by the time the match began.

For many, the fact that the national team is playing its first-ever World Cup knockout match in Los Angeles instead of Vancouver or Toronto comes as a disappointment.