photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Community members pose for a photo with the “Thank you Lawrence” banner from Algeria’s last match in Kansas City next to The Granada on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

The bond created between Lawrence and Algeria was an unexpected story of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Even with the tournament gone, Lawrence will get another chance to celebrate Algeria next week.

The Granada Theater will host a community celebration on Saturday, Aug. 1, organized by a group called the Algerian Ladies of Kansas that will serve as a “thank you” to Lawrence for the support of the Algerian team during the World Cup.

Emily Taylor, the marketing director for The Granada, told the Journal-World the main organizer Hafidha Mansouri was initially hoping to have the celebration in South Park. Taylor said she and Mansouri connected during the last watch party for the Algerian match, and “it felt right” to host this celebration in the space where so many people gathered to watch matches this summer.

“We definitely wanted to be a part of it,” Taylor said.

Taylor said the venue is donating the space for the celebration, and Explore Lawrence is sponsoring the event. The celebration will feature a fashion show with traditional Algerian clothing and plenty of Algerian food for sale and music to listen to, making it “another opportunity for everyone to come together,” Taylor said.

The bond built between Algeria and Lawrence made headlines around the world, and the World Cup summer brought thousands of people to watch parties in Lawrence. Taylor said the first official watch party, which was held on June 12, probably brought around 3,000 people to watch. With each successive event when the venue could close down the 1000 block to traffic, the number of people seemed to grow.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Fans watch the match between Algeria and Switzerland outside The Granada in downtown Lawrence on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Although there were supposed to be only six official watch parties, Taylor said with the success of the US and Algerian teams — both advanced to the knockout stages — the Granada hosted more watch parties. Even during times when the theater couldn’t close down the block — like Algeria’s last match, a 2-0 loss to Switzerland on July 2 — the place “was packed” with supporters, Taylor said.

Seeing the solidarity that grew between Lawrence residents and Algerian fans brought “good vibes” to the city during the summer, with Taylor saying the way the city rallied around its guests during the World Cup made her “proud to live in Lawrence.” She is excited The Granada will be able to host a celebration that properly commemorates the story.

“When Algeria lost its last game, it was kind of like ‘What do we do now?’ It felt unfinished,” Taylor said. “Having this event really does feel like it’s tying (the summer) up.”

The free celebration will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 5 p.m. inside the Granada Theater, 1020 Massachusetts St.