The FIFA World Cup 2026 has kicked off, and Burlington County residents looking for public watch parties won’t be left on the sidelines.
Burlington County-based watch parties are being planned in Mount Laurel, Evesham and Burlington City at various times throughout the tournament, which kicked off on the evening of Thursday, June 11 and continues until the final match on Sunday, July 19.
The largest Burlington County watch party will be held during the first knockout round of the tournament on Wednesday, July 1 at 3 p.m. at Rowan College at Burlington County (1500 College Circle, Mount Laurel) on the quad outside of the Student Success Center. Organized by the Burlington County Bridge Commission’s Department of Economic Development in partnership with RCBC and Visit South Jersey, the Burlington County Community Watch Party will feature a giant LED screen showing the 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. knockout matches, along with food trucks, a beer garden, and inflatable amusements.
The event is free, but attendees are asked to register in advance at https://rcbc.edu/watchparty or https://tinyurl.com/yc7sppsd.
“The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and hosting the tournament is truly a once-in-a-generation moment for our nation, the Garden State, and the Greater Philadelphia and New York region as a whole,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “We want Burlington County residents and visitors to be able to experience the passion and spectacle of these games in a memorable way, so we’re excited that the Bridge Commission, Rowan College at Burlington County, Visit South Jersey, and these towns are stepping up to create such thrilling fan experiences.”
“The Bridge Commission and the Department of Economic Development have spent months trying to help local businesses and towns prepare for the World Cup and the unique opportunities the tournament presents,” said Burlington County Bridge Commission Chair Sandra Nunes. “The tournament is expected to draw millions of visitors to our region. These watch parties are an affordable opportunity for tourists and local fans to experience the excitement of the games along with many of the great businesses that can be found in Burlington County.”
“The World Cup creates some of the most exciting and unifying moments in sports, and we’re excited to bring that energy and sense of celebration to Evesham and Burlington County,” added Evesham Mayor Jaclyn Veasy, who also serves on the Bridge Commission. “Whether you’re a lifelong soccer supporter or simply curious about the excitement surrounding the tournament, we invite everyone to join us and be part of the experience.”
“Burlington City is one of America’s oldest and most historic communities and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to Burlington City to experience the excitement of the World Cup on our beautiful waterfront,” said Burlington City Mayor Barry Conaway. “There will be great food, community, shopping, and opportunities to discover many of Burlington’s great downtown businesses.”
“The FIFA World Cup is a global, once-in-a-generation event and we are proud that our community will play a role in welcoming that excitement to South Jersey,” added Mount Laurel Mayor Stephen Steglik. “We look forward to creating memorable experiences that support our local businesses, strengthen community connections, and highlight Mount Laurel on an international stage.”
The local watch parties planned are:
Evesham: Friday, June 19, the township is partnering with The Promenade at Sagemore shopping center and LaScala’s Fire restaurant (500 NJ-73) to host an outdoor watch party for the Team USA match against Australia. Streets within The Promenade will be closed for this exciting viewing opportunity. A variety of foods and drinks will be available for purchase. The match begins at 3 p.m.
Burlington City: Main Street Burlington will host “World Cup on the Waterfront” viewing parties at 4 p.m on the Riverfront Promenade (1 Pearl Boulevard) to coincide with the town’s Food Truck Tuesdays on June 23 and July 14. The events will feature live World Cup games on a big screen, plus food, music and vendors.
Mount Laurel: The Burlington County World Cup Watch Party will be held July 1, at 3 p.m. at Rowan College at Burlington County (1500 College Circle, Mount Laurel). The event is being organized by the Burlington County Bridge Commission’s Department of Economic Development in partnership with the college and Visit South Jersey. The party will feature a giant LED screen showing the 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. knockout matches, along with food trucks, a beer garden, and inflatable amusements.
Evesham: Evesham and the Marlton Recreation Council will also host a public watch party for the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19 at Evesham’s Memorial Field (1004 Tuckerton Road). The party will begin at 2 p.m. and will include food trucks, vendors, and other entertainment.
Burlington County Commissioner Tyler Burrell at a press conference last month to announce state grants supporting the organization of community watch parties for the World Cup.
