The District will host an outdoor viewing party Tuesday at Freedom Plaza for the World Cup soccer match between the United States and Belgium.
The free event will kick off at 3 p.m., with the game at 4 p.m. A 17-foot-by-27-foot outdoor viewing screen will allow soccer fans to sprawl out on the stone slabs at the open-air plaza across the street from the District’s city hall.
The District has partnered with the DowntownDC business improvement district, Events DC, D.C. United, DC Water, Akridge, Pepco, and 94.7 Fresh FM to host the outdoor viewing party — one of several that will be taking place across the area Tuesday.
The cost for putting on the event is $35,000, according to Karyn LeBlanc of DowntownDC.
“If this works out really well, we are certainly hoping it is something we can continue to do,” she said.
Outdoor screenings have popped up around the D.C. area so soccer fans can gather en masse to cheer their favorite teams, with thousands of fans recently gathering in Dupont Circle for the game between the United States and Germany.
Other outdoor screening are taking place Tuesday at the Fairgrounds next to Nationals Park — giving fans the option of taking in a double header of the World Cup match followed by a baseball game — and along the Potomac River at National Harbor.
Temperatures are expected to top 90 degrees on Tuesday and organizers plan to erect misting tents to help keep visitors cool at Freedom Plaza.
Attendees can bring blankets and lawn chairs, and Ms. LeBlanc urged visitors to bring hats, water and sunscreen to beat the heat. Those looking to down a few beers during the game, however, are advised to watch elsewhere.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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