Sacramento soccer fans will have no shortage of places to celebrate the World Cup, as local businesses and nonprofits team up to host watch parties, free clinics and community activities tied to the tournament.At The Garden at The Line, preparations have been underway for months.”It’s been a lot of planning, a lot of hard work, and I cannot wait for noon tomorrow when Mexico kicks off,” said Clay Adams, general manager of The Garden at The Line. “It’s going to be so exciting. I’m getting shivers talking about it right now.”Adams said the goal is to create a welcoming environment for fans of all backgrounds.”We call our customers neighbors. Everybody’s our neighbor,” Adams said. “We want our neighbors to come along. Welcome our neighbors to come back to Sacramento’s backyard.”The venue is also partnering with Street Soccer USA, which has set up a public soccer court and plans to offer free youth clinics during the tournament.”We’re thrilled about this partnership,” said Tiffany Fraser, of Street Soccer USA. “It’s our way of getting to share and love soccer with the community here during all the excitement of the World Cup.”Fraser said the nonprofit works with underserved communities across Sacramento, using soccer to help build life skills, confidence and connection.”Every Tuesday and Saturday we’ll have kids’ clinics,” Fraser said. “It’ll be a time with dedicated street soccer coaches that we will have reserved here.””It’s just a really perfect opportunity to connect,” she added. “And we’ll have coaches out here staffing as well for kids and adults who want to learn.”Across town, sports bars are also preparing for large crowds.At Barwest, partner Ninos Alkhas said the business is hosting watch parties this week with themed cocktails, giveaways, and wall-to-wall game coverage.”We have 34 TVs downstairs and upstairs,” Alkhas said. “A 17-foot LED wall — I think it’s one of the biggest ones in Sacramento. People love watching sports here.”Alkhas encouraged fans to arrive early and come ready to support their teams.”Definitely dress up, bring your jerseys, bring your flags,” Alkhas said. “We’re going to have the game audio on. Get ready to cheer and have some fun here.”He said the tournament could also provide a boost for local businesses.”I think it’s going to be good for all the businesses in Sacramento, especially during the summer,” Alkhas said.The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19. Both The Garden at The Line and Barwest plan to operate their watch parties on a first-come, first-served basis.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Sacramento soccer fans will have no shortage of places to celebrate the World Cup, as local businesses and nonprofits team up to host watch parties, free clinics and community activities tied to the tournament.

At The Garden at The Line, preparations have been underway for months.

“It’s been a lot of planning, a lot of hard work, and I cannot wait for noon tomorrow [Thursday] when Mexico kicks off,” said Clay Adams, general manager of The Garden at The Line. “It’s going to be so exciting. I’m getting shivers talking about it right now.”

Adams said the goal is to create a welcoming environment for fans of all backgrounds.

“We call our customers neighbors. Everybody’s our neighbor,” Adams said. “We want our neighbors to come along. Welcome our neighbors to come back to Sacramento’s backyard.”

The venue is also partnering with Street Soccer USA, which has set up a public soccer court and plans to offer free youth clinics during the tournament.

“We’re thrilled about this partnership,” said Tiffany Fraser, of Street Soccer USA. “It’s our way of getting to share and love soccer with the community here during all the excitement of the World Cup.”

Fraser said the nonprofit works with underserved communities across Sacramento, using soccer to help build life skills, confidence and connection.

“Every Tuesday and Saturday we’ll have kids’ clinics,” Fraser said. “It’ll be a time with dedicated street soccer coaches that we will have reserved here.”

“It’s just a really perfect opportunity to connect,” she added. “And we’ll have coaches out here staffing as well for kids and adults who want to learn.”

Across town, sports bars are also preparing for large crowds.

At Barwest, partner Ninos Alkhas said the business is hosting watch parties this week with themed cocktails, giveaways, and wall-to-wall game coverage.

“We have 34 TVs downstairs and upstairs,” Alkhas said. “A 17-foot LED wall — I think it’s one of the biggest ones in Sacramento. People love watching sports here.”

Alkhas encouraged fans to arrive early and come ready to support their teams.

“Definitely dress up, bring your jerseys, bring your flags,” Alkhas said. “We’re going to have the game audio on. Get ready to cheer and have some fun here.”

He said the tournament could also provide a boost for local businesses.

“I think it’s going to be good for all the businesses in Sacramento, especially during the summer,” Alkhas said.

The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19. Both The Garden at The Line and Barwest plan to operate their watch parties on a first-come, first-served basis.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google