PHOTOS: Sun, soccer fun at Surrey Fan Zone for World Cup opener<\/p>\n
Published 3:50 pm Thursday, June 11, 2026<\/p>\n
The weather was perfect for Game 1 of the FIFA World Cup at Surrey Soccer Fan Zone on Thursday, June 11.<\/p>\n
A few hundred fans enjoyed warm sunshine and a light breeze at Surrey Civic Plaza as they watched Mexico beat South Africa on a big screen set up at the south end of the plaza.<\/p>\n
Admission is free at Surrey\u2019s official \u201cwatch party\u201d site, which has soccer-related activities, food and bar service, live music on select days and other attractions.<\/p>\n
Fans young and old can sit on chairs in the sun or under cover of a large tent during the 39-day men\u2019s soccer tournament, played in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great way to kick off the World Cup here in Surrey with a great crowd and an exciting game,\u201d raved Dan Nielsen, fan zone head planner. \u201cWe\u2019re loving the community feel of this, and we\u2019re so happy with the way things are going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Game 1 start at Surrey Soccer Fan Zone at Civic Plaza, outside city hall. Perfect weather for #WorldCup<\/a> opener, played in Mexico City (Mexico vs. South Africa). \u2600\ufe0f <\/p>\n Mexico just scored while I was tweeting. lol. <\/p>\n Details: https:\/\/t.co\/Twdd79FUTt<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VTnR1zkgxA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) June 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Big crowds are expected for Canada\u2019s games starting at noon Friday, June 12, when special guests Jeevan Badwal (Surrey-raised Whitecaps FC midfielder) and Carl Valentine (1986 World Cup player, Whitecaps ambassador) will help Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke officially open the fan zone, at 13450 104 Ave.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have capacity for close to 3,000 people here,\u201d Nielsen noted. \u201cWe have our security team in place to make sure that if we reach capacity, we have a safe family-friendly event for people to enjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n Surrey Police have installed a mobile public safety camera unit at the plaza \u201cto support crowd safety and deter criminal activity to keep these events safe and fun for all ages,\u201d the department posted on social media.<\/a><\/p>\n Mexico fans Susana and Emmanuel cheered on their team on opening day.<\/p>\n \u201cWe live nearby and had plans to go to Vancouver today,\u201d Susana said, \u201cbut I opened my phone and saw the stories here in Surrey and thought, you know what, I think it\u2019s going to be a good time. So, we just came by to check it out, and it looks so good. I didn\u2019t expect all of this, with the games and bar and all. I didn\u2019t know this was going here, and I highly recommend. I\u2019m coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n Inside Surrey\u2019s Soccer Fan Zone for Game #1 of the #WorldCup<\/a>. Decent crowd here, mostly Mexico supporters. pic.twitter.com\/9qvR7LQ3ua<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) June 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The fan zone is first of three in Surrey, with others coming to Cloverdale Agriplex (starting July 1) and South Surrey Athletic Park (July 14). Look for the schedule and other details on surreysoccerfanzones.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n A soccer fan, Civic Hotel<\/a> general manager Kristin Bishop is thrilled to have the fan zone at Surrey Civic Plaza, steps from the 144-room hotel and Dominion Bar + Kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have reservations for guests coming from around the world, as far away as Australia and Peru, so it\u2019s a very exciting time for us,\u201d Bishop said. \u201cWe know some of them are going to the games (in Vancouver), for sure, and they\u2019ll probably also visit this fan zone, where we have the restaurant on-site (as Kick-Off Kitchen) offering match-day menus and specials.\u201d<\/p>\n Hotel guests can see the big screen from the pool deck on the fourth floor.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re utilizing the deck for some events for hotel guests and loyalty members, match-day meetup events with facepaint, temporary tattoos and some games to play,\u201d Bishop noted.<\/p>\n \u201cThe City of Surrey has a proven record of producing award-winning events, and this plaza really lends itself well to hosting community events,\u201d she added. \u201cWe get very excited every time we see programming happening on the plaza. It\u2019s a natural benefit to guests staying with us.\u201d<\/p>\n Pretty cool pitch-like photo-op inside Civic Hotel, next to Surrey Soccer Fan Zone on the plaza. #SurreyBC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Qjim8Ng70d<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tom Zillich (@TomZillich) June 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n