As the 2023 Women’s World Cup approaches, soccer fans are eagerly waiting to cheer on their favorite team. This year Street Soccer USA is partnering with the San Francisco city government to host free screenings of the Women’s World Cup throughout July and August. Building on 2022 Men’s World Cup Village success that drew a staggering 12,000 participants, the program aims to create a vibrant, fun, and inclusive atmosphere by installing massive pop-up screens throughout San Francisco. Organizers promise an event that will bring together SF locals of all ages to celebrate soccer.
The screenings will kick off on July 21, 2023 at The Crossing at East Cut with an exciting match between Team USA and Vietnam. Organizers want the event to be a family-friendly affair, with food trucks and live music. Each event begins at 4:00 pm for pre-game festivities. The Embarcadero location will include FIFA on the big screen before kick-off, along with a beer garden. Meanwhile, the August 5 show is perfect for families with face painting and bubble soccer games.
Women’s World Cup screening schedule
There will be a total of four screenings in accordance with Team USA’s schedule. Organizers recommend reserving free tickets in advance online, but the events have no capacity limits.
- July 21 – USA vs Vietnam – The Crossing at East Cut at 6:00 pm
- July 26 – USA vs Netherlands – Embarcadero Plaza at 6:00 pm
- Aug 5 – Round of 16 – 14th Ave, East Meadow, Golden Gate Park at 7:00 pm
- Aug 10 – Quarterfinals – The Crossing at East Cut at 6:00 pm
Street Soccer USA: Building community through soccer
This event isn’t about just watching the games, organizers aim to build community through the game. Street Soccer USA is a non-profit organization that provides free soccer leagues for underserved youth with a mission to foster community, fight poverty, and create a positive impact on their players’ lives. The organization is present in 16 cities across the United States, with over 1,000 trained volunteers in the program. The program works with 400 Bay Area kids every week.
To celebrate the young players, the non-profit hosts a blow-out summer tournament where the younger players can compete. The Cup Series will take place August 19, the first time the tournament has been hosted in San Francisco since 2019. Food trucks, DJs, and bleachers are all available to create a vibrant community experience.
In the afternoon, the tournament becomes a fundraiser for Street Soccer USA. Adult teams compete in fast-paced 4 vs 4 games to raise money for the non-profit. The Cup Series will continue to other cities in the United States, including Oakland, Philadelphia, and New York.
City officials are looking forward to the program, with SF Parks and Recreation General Manager Phil Ginsburg stating, “With women’s soccer seeing major growth in recent years, we’re excited to be a part of this movement and watch it come alive at some of the city’s most popular public spaces this summer.”
If you are interested in getting involved with Street Soccer USA, you can donate, become a coach, counselor, or volunteer with the program. Check out their website to learn more about volunteering.