San Pedro Square has become the Bay Area’s home for World Cup watch parties, exceeding expectations. Now, many wonder if San Pedro Square will stay as a prime destination for other sports events.
For the first time since the World Cup began, Wednesday was quiet in San Pedro Square as there were no matches and no watch party.
For the last month, San Pedro Square turned into a place where thousands of strangers have celebrated together. Businesses like O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub & Playback Coffee had been at the center of it all.
“I think what it’s done for the area, it’s made San Pedro not only the primary place in San Jose for the World Cup, but probably the premiere place for the West Coast,” O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub & Playback Coffee owner David Mulvehill said.
The city says the turnout has surpassed even its own expectations. Mayor Matt Mahan said, in part, “we’ve been blown away by the interest in San Jose’s San Pedro Square fan experience. Downtown is Silicon Valley’s premier destination for sports and entertainment experiences.”
The next big test comes when the World Cup ends. If fans keep coming back for Earthquakes matches, Sharks games, and other major events, business owners believe San Pedro Square may have found a new identity.