By Nolan Boivin

This summer, Toronto played host to World Cup soccer for the first time in history. The massive tournament brought over 300,000 fans into the city for the six matches played at Toronto Stadium (renamed from BMO Field).

While the men’s FIFA World Cup brought some of the globe’s best soccer talent to Toronto, steep ticket prices barred many from attending matches in person. For many fans, including students, watch parties offered another way to enjoy the same energy, community and togetherness as the stadium-goers.

Organizations such as Pride House Toronto 2026, a welcoming space for 2SLGBTQ+ fans, gave people a place to watch the games while creating an experience that extended beyond the pitch.

Over the five-week tournament, Pride House Toronto 2026 welcomed over 4,500 people to their space, according to Joseph Recupero, an associate professor in Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) RTA sport media program.

Recupero’s knowledge of Pride House spans over a decade; he knew of their watch party presence in the 2015 Pan American Games. While working for CBC at this time, Recupero stuck with the idea of working exclusively for the Pride House and helping for the next local opportunity and fulfilled that for Pride House Toronto 2026.

Watch parties are a great way to build community and inclusivity for fanbases and many factors go into the making of a good viewing. For Recupero, “A great watch party is determined by the event or the competitors competing [and]the audience watching.”

Supporters of Portugal, France, England, Spain and Argentina were among those who rallied behind their nations at Pride House. The crowds there encapsulated the multiculturalism of Toronto as noted by Recupero: “The World Cup is one thing that really shows how multicultural Canada and Toronto truly is.”

On top of showing each match, Pride House TO26 also offered programming such as trivia nights, a queer sports league day, a queer makers market and a film screening and panels focusing on inclusion in sports, giving fans more than one way to get involved.

In his most recent stint with Pride House, Recupero wanted to connect the organization with TMU’s RTA sport media program. To achieve this, he enlisted RTA student volunteers to work the event throughout the tournament, including internship opportunities.

Recupero met attendees who he says reminded him why his work mattered. One attendee, an older man who Recupero estimated was in his eighties, attended Pride House events on multiple occasions, often sitting alone at a high top table. Noticing his frequent visits, Recupero approached him to ask about his experience. The man told Recupero he had come a long way to attend the events and appreciated the welcoming atmosphere.

“I nearly cried,” Recupero said. “This is why we do this, to make safe spaces for sports fans of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, orientations, [and others] feel welcomed and supported. Our motto was ‘All Are Welcome’,” he added.

On campus, the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union (TMSU) partnered with the Met Campus Pub to replicate the fan experience for TMU students watching the Canada-Bosnia and Herzegovina match.

The watch party was held for the Canada home-opener game on Jun. 12. The event offered free mocktails, plus-ones for TMU students, as well as raffle prizes such as TMU Bold merchandise and a pair of Toronto Blue Jays tickets.

Pei Pilgrim, a fourth-year professional music student at TMU, attended the watch party and said good events transcend the game itself.

“In my opinion, good watch parties always come with a plethora of good vibes, good people and a good game,” she said.

Pilgrim said that the event’s accessibility and promotion through the campus organization helped bring people together. At the pub, there were activities such as esports, raffles, as well as food, which also entertained fans beyond the game.

“I work in sports and I’ve found that watch parties are just a great way to celebrate with people and meet new friends over a common interest,” Pilgrim said.