Tuesday March 24, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
A Canada Celebrates FIFA World Cup 2026 test event will be hosted by the BC Legislative Assembly.
The big bash is set for Tuesday March 31 on the lawns of BC’s parliament buildings. It’s a free community event, which comes one day after students are back in class from spring break.
A soccer fan’s dream:
When first announced on March 10, the BC government said the event will be a “soccer fan’s dream” when FIFA’s countrywide celebration program called Canada Celebrates gets a test run in Victoria.
The series of free-to-the-public, one-day community celebrations is set to travel Canada from coast to coast in the leadup to and during the FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament. The games are less than 100 days away now.
FIFA26 CAN is FIFA’s subsidiary in Canada.
Event profile:
What: Canada Celebrates the FIFA World Cup 2026 – Victoria Test Event
Where: The grounds of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
When: 11:00-19:00 on Tuesday 31 March 2026
Cost: Free
Hosted by radio personality Angelina Rai, the day will feature live international match action, appearances from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascots, guest speakers and on-site football activations featuring Pacific FC, BC Soccer Association clubs and local First Nations.
Fans can also look forward to a special appearance by former Canada’s men’s national team player and Canada Celebrates Ambassador Tosaint Ricketts. This free, family-friendly event offers an early opportunity to experience the excitement that is set to sweep the country this June and July.
Main Stage Programming
· 11:00 – Welcome and opening remarks by Angelina Rai, Radio Host at 107.3 Virgin Radio
· 11:15 – Territorial acknowledgment and welcome by the Esquimalt Nation and the Songhees Nation
· 11:40 – Appearances from Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascots (Maple, Zayu and Clutch)
· 11:45 – Winner of Wales v. Bosnia and Herzegovina v. Winner of Italy v. Northern Ireland
Live coverage of the contest that will determine whom Canada will face in their tournament opener in Toronto on 12 June
· 12:30 – Special halftime guest remarks featuring:
o Her Honour, the Honourable Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
o The Honourable Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
o The Honourable David Eby, Premier of British Columbia
o Mr. Trevor Halford, MLA, Leader of the Official Opposition
o Mr. Will Greaves, Member of Parliament (Victoria)
o Her Worship Marianne Alto, Mayor of Victoria
· 13:45 – Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascot appearances (Maple, Zayu and Clutch)
· 14:00 – Winner of Slovakia v. Kosovo v. Winner of Türkiye v. Romania
Full rerun of the matchup that will determine whom Australia will meet in their
opening match in Vancouver on 13 June
· 14:45 – Halftime entertainment from DJ Boitano, Neon Steve and Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascot appearances (Maple, Zayu and Clutch)
· 16:15 – Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascot appearances (Maple, Zayu and Clutch)
· 16:30 – Canada v. Tunisia
o Live coverage of the friendly match in Toronto
· 17:15 – Halftime entertainment DJ Boitano, Neon Steve and Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mascot appearances (Maple, Zayu and Clutch)
Mini Pitch Programming:
Dedicated mini pitch activities featuring Pacific FC alongside BC Soccer and local First Nations will give fans access to hands-on football experiences throughout the day.
Programming includes player-led clinics, coaching sessions and public play opportunities, with appearances from Pacific FC first team players and technical staff.
· 11:30 – Player-led activity (45 min.)
· 12:30 – Player-led activity (45 min.)
· 14:30 – Public 3v3 matches
· 15:45 – Player-led activity (45 min.)
· 16:45 – Player-led activity (45 min.)
· 17:45 – Player-led activity (45 min.)
About Canada Celebrates the FIFA World Cup 2026™
Canada Celebrates the FIFA World Cup 2026™ is a first-of-its-kind programme that will unite communities across the co-host country throughout the tournament, which runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, in celebration of the biggest FIFA World Cup™ in history.
Delivered as a series of free-to-the-public, one-day community celebrations across the country, Canada Celebrates will bring football fans together for live match viewings, football-themed activations, cultural programming, music, food and shared moments of national pride. As the country prepares to host its first FIFA World Cup alongside Mexico and the United States, Canada Celebrates will carry the energy, pride and passion that are synonymous with the tournament beyond the Host Cities of Toronto and Vancouver as part of this historic global occasion.
Part of BC tourism boost:
“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 Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
Minister Kang recently released the Province’s Tourism Sector Action Plan which identifies five access points for tourists coming to BC (Vancouver, Greater Victoria, Whistler, Richmond and Kelowna).
The Ministry for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, the City of Victoria and the Greater Victoria Tourism Commission have partnered to bring Canada Celebrates to Victoria.
===== RELATED:
- Mini soccer pitches for kids in 20 communities (March 19, 2026)
- FIFA World Cup test event at BC Parliament Buildings March 31 (March 10, 2026)
- Tourism Sector Action Plan to boost visitor economy, strengthen communities (March 4, 2026)
- BC marks 100 days to FIFA World Cup 2026 (March 4, 2026)
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