photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

A drum corps plays at the Score Lawrence kickoff event on June 12, 2026 in downtown Lawrence. The group played as fans continued to make their way into the event, which was led up to the 8 p.m. kickoff of the U.S. national team's opening game in the World Cup soccer tournament.

Crowds were trickling into the 1000 block of downtown Lawrence Friday evening ahead of the 8 p.m. kickoff for the U.S. national team’s opening game in the World Cup. Score Lawrence, a multiagency group promoting Lawrence as a destination for soccer fans, hosted the party that closed one block of Massachusetts Street to traffic. The event began at 5 p.m., and featured music and other entertainment ahead of the showing of the soccer match.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

A drum corps plays at the Score Lawrence kickoff event on June 12, 2026 in downtown Lawrence. The group played as fans continued to make their way into the event, which was led up to the 8 p.m. kickoff of the U.S. national team’s opening game in the World Cup soccer tournament.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Fans decked out in Team USA colors pose for a picture at the Score Lawrence kickoff party on June 12, 2026, in downtown Lawrence.

Additional parties are scheduled for June 16, June 22, June 25, June 27, and July 11 at various locations around downtown. See more details at scorelawrence.com.