SAN JOSE –– Fútbol will be taking over downtown San Jose during the World Cup, courtesy of the San Jose Earthquakes.
Starting Sunday, and running through Dec. 18, the Earthquakes will host free World Cup watch parties for 57 of the 64 World Cup matches from Qatar. The seven matches that won’t be shown are the ones that start at 2 a.m.
All matches starting at 5 a.m. or later will be shown at The Old Wagon Saloon and Grill (73 N. San Pedro St.) and will include free donuts from Stan’s Donuts. Matches starting at 7 a.m. or later will also be shown at O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub (25 N. San Pedro St). Earthquakes season ticket holders are eligible to receive one free beer.
On Thanksgiving weekend, starting Friday, a block of St. John Street next to San Pedro Square will be blocked off from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. to create a festival-like viewing party with oversized televisions and speakers. The most anticipated games such as Mexico-Argentina, USA-England and Germany-Spain will be played that weekend. (USA-England is Friday, 11 a.m.)
Earthquakes director of communications Jake Pisani said the team is anticipating 16,000 people or more to attend the viewing parties the first week of play. Pisani said the Earthquakes have invested more than $100,000 to host the watch parties.
“We definitely knew this was an opportunity to continue getting people excited about soccer,” Pisani said. “Hopefully we can convert some general soccer fans into Earthquakes fans at the same time.”
During the World Cup, Earthquakes fans will get a glimpse of the team’s new coach, Luchi Gonzalez, who is currently an assistant for the United States National team.
The World Cup starts Sunday with Qatar playing Ecuador at 8 a.m.
