The City of North Bay is preparing to host a one-day free public fan event on July 11 as part of the Canada Celebrates the FIFA World Cup 2026 tour. The celebration will take place at Nipissing University and Canadore College and will feature live screenings of two knockout round matches, with the first match airing at 5 p.m. local time and the second at 9 p.m. Organizers said the event is expected to draw between 3,500 and 5,000 ‘football fans’ to the College Drive campus. Organizers are planning a full slate of soccer-themed activities, sponsor activations, photo opportunities and a beer garden to accompany the live match broadcasts. Economic projections Tourism North Bay has projected that the fan festival will generate significant local economic activity, with anticipated tourism expenditures reaching nearly $970,000. “So, we are basing our assumptions on a variety of different factors,” said the tourism organization’s executive director, Tanya Bedard. “The economic impact indicators that we have done are based on a few thousand visitors to be able to travel over 40 kilometres,” she said. Last week, North Bay city council took several steps to facilitate the event, including designating it as municipally significant. The council also granted a noise bylaw exemption for amplified sound from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., allowing for outdoor broadcasts and amplified sound throughout the day. The approvals were needed to help organizers meet hosting requirements for the tour, which is stopping in communities across the country during the tournament. Council had previously announced North Bay as a tour stop back in April. Community pride City councillor Justine Mallah spoke at the council meeting about the broader significance of North Bay’s selection as a host community for the nationwide celebration. “The Canada Celebrates FIFA World Cup 2026, I think, really elevates the city’s profile and positions us as a key northern Ontario destination, which is always great,” Mallah said. Bedard also emphasized the sense of community pride that the event has generated among residents, noting that the enthusiasm extends beyond support for the Canadian national team. “We’re just really seeing pride that has come out, whether you are cheering for Team Canada or cheering for another team,” Bedard said. “The pride that this has instilled in every Canadian that is proud to be able to host is really translating to our North Bay fans.” Event logistics As part of the hosting requirements, fan fest organizers are required to notify residents and businesses within a one-block radius of the venue before the July 11 gathering. The fan fest is scheduled to run from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. on July 11, with the two live match screenings. The event will conclude immediately following the live broadcast of the final match.
