| Downtown Calgary will come alive this summer with free youth sports programming and outdoor World Cup Watch Parties as The City of Calgary and community partners roll out a slate of initiatives designed to activate public spaces and encourage Calgarians from across the city to gather, play and connect in the core. This year’s lineup features three major initiatives that turn public spaces into places of belonging: SURGE CITY Hoops Summer Series, Soccer City FC – Presented by Cavalry FC & Calgary Wild FC and World Cup Watch Parties, supported by the Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA). Together, these programs highlight The City’s commitment to building a downtown that feels safe, welcoming, and vibrant. “Free, accessible recreation helps activate downtown and brings people into our public spaces,” says Thom Mahler, Director of Downtown Strategy with The City of Calgary. “Programs like these bring people together, supports youth and create the kind of lively, welcoming environment Calgarians want to see in the core. These partnerships show what’s possible when we activate our spaces with purpose.” Last year’s SURGE CITY Hoops Summer Series demonstrated how these types of programs deliver broader community benefits. In a 2025 post-program survey, 80 per cent of participating families said the initiative made downtown feel more welcoming and engaging, reinforcing the role sports play in animating public spaces. Young people from all quadrants of the city and surrounding areas participated in last year’s sessions. SURGE CITY Hoops Summer Series After more than 1,000 youth hit the courts last year, the SURGE CITY Hoops Summer Series will return with an expanded series of free basketball clinics for youth ages 8-17 led by Calgary Surge players, coaches and mentors and supported by the Centre for Newcomers. From June 2 to Sept. 12, sessions will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon, at Century Gardens. The SURGE CITY 3-on-3 tournament will also return in September. “SURGE CITY is about more than basketball. It’s about creating free, accessible opportunities for young people to be active, build confidence and feel connected to their city,” says Dylan Howe, President of Calgary Surge. “We’re proud to continue this meaningful work alongside The City’s Downtown Strategy team and use sport as a vehicle to create energy, belonging, and community in Calgary’s core.” Soccer City FC – Presented by Cavalry FC & Calgary Wild FC New for 2026, Soccer City FC – Presented by Cavalry FC & Calgary Wild FC will bring high energy, free soccer programming to Peace Park from June 7 to Sept. 2 most Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon. In partnership with Cavalry FC, Calgary Wild FC, Calgary Minor Soccer Association, and Centre for Newcomers, the program offers youth, ages 8-17, a chance to learn from top tier coaches while building friendships and confidence. “This is a special moment for our club and our city,” says Mason Trafford, Commercial Director of Cavalry FC. “As we build toward the excitement of the Men’s World Cup coming to Canada, initiatives like the downtown watch parties and free clinics are about making the game more accessible, more visible, and more connected to our community. At Cavalry FC, we believe soccer should bring people together, and this is about creating shared experiences, inspiring the next generation, and ensuring everyone feels part of what is shaping up to be a defining time for the sport in our country.” “Soccer has the power to shape how young people see themselves and what they believe is possible,” says Lara Murphy, co-founder, president, and CEO of the Calgary Wild FC, Alberta’s only women’s professional soccer team. “Through Soccer City FC, we’re creating access to the game and visibility for the next generation of players. Bringing that energy into downtown Calgary helps build a city where everyone can feel part of something and see a place for themselves in sport.” World Cup Watch Parties We’re joining the global excitement of the 2026 Men’s World Cup with free outdoor Watch Parties. In partnership with CMSA, Cavalry FC, Calgary Wild FC, Tourism Calgary, Calgary Downtown Association and Centre for Newcomers, downtown will bring international events to local spaces where fans can cheer together, enjoy family-friendly activities and share the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event. Cheer on team Canada during tournament play at Eau Claire Plaza on June 12, 18 and 24, and for the final on Stephen Avenue on July 19. “Soccer is the universal language, and at CMSA, we speak it fluently,” says Carlo Bruneau, Executive Director of Calgary Minor Soccer Association. “We are proud to be part of Soccer City FC and the World Cup Watch Parties because they celebrate a historic moment for the game while showcasing what soccer does best — bringing people together, creating joy and building commUNITY.” As downtown Calgary transforms, The City and its partners are creating spaces where people feel energized and part of a community. Since 2022, we’ve delivered more than 2,000 days of programming (and counting). These programs boost foot traffic, support local businesses, and help build a stronger, more resilient downtown, all while aligning with GamePLAN, Council’s city‑wide strategy to increase access, inclusion, and low‑barrier recreation opportunities. By bringing recreation directly into public spaces, these downtown programs put GamePLAN into action and help create safe, welcoming places where people can play, connect, and belong. Visit www.exploredowntownyyc.com/sports&rec to join the action. About The City of Calgary’s Downtown Strategy: Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan is a forward-looking vision and step-by-step plan for the reinvention of our city’s downtown. It’s designed to bring new life, new people and new ideas to Downtown by helping it grow from a 9-to-5 business hub to a day-and-night neighborhood for all. The strategy, and the incentives that accompany it, are designed to enhance economic vitality and cultural excitement in the heart of the city by making downtown a home for the Calgarians who choose it and a desirable year-round destination for locals and visitors alike. We’re creating a livable and vibrant city that’s welcoming, dynamic and ready for generations to come. https://newsroom.calgary.ca/this-summer-downtown-calgary-comes-alive-through-sport-community-and-connection/ |