photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

Fans gather to support Algeria in Downtown Lawrence during a watch party on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The Granada announced it would host at least two more watch parties for matches involving the United States and Algeria.

Downtown Lawrence will have at least two more chances to celebrate the 2026 FIFA World Cup with watch parties, organizers announced Monday — one for the United States and one for Lawrence’s “adopted team” of Algeria.

The Granada will be hosting the free celebrations on Wednesday, July 1, for the United States’ match against Bosnia-Herzegovina and on Thursday, July 2, for the Algeria and Switzerland match.

Two Lawrence groups, the organizers for the Busker Festival and The Granada, received financial support from Score Lawrence, the organization that coordinated Lawrence’s World Cup preparations, to host three watch parties each, as the Journal-World reported. Saturday’s party on the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street was set to be the last of these official events.

But Emily Taylor, the marketing director for The Granada group, said the group was committed to hosting watch parties for the United States and Algeria as long as those teams “are still alive in the tournament” — even without additional city funding or sponsors.

“We want to help keep the vibe going as long as possible,” Taylor said.

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.

During the watch party on Saturday, the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street was filled with fans sporting Algerian gear and watching a thrilling 3-3 draw that was enough for “Les Fennecs” to advance to the Round of 32 — the second time in their history they reached the knockout stage of the World Cup. Kim Anspach, the executive director for Explore Lawrence, said she was “blown away” by the crowd on Saturday night and that it was a “joyous community experience.”

As the Journal-World reported, the bond being created between Lawrence and Algeria during the tournament has received international attention. At the match Saturday, Algerian supporters at the match in Kansas City hung a banner that read “Thank you Lawrence.” Cori Wallace, a spokesperson for the city, said it was “overwhelming” that Algerian fans thanked the community during one of its biggest matches. She said that kind of acknowledgement was only possible because of the way many people in Lawrence showed up to rally behind Algeria.

“It will take a long time to fully comprehend what the broader community of fans and new friends have created here,” Wallace said. “It has been nothing short of magical.”

photo by: Contributed from City of Lawrence

Algerian fans hang signs that read “Thank you Lawrence” during the team’s final match in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 27, 2026

Though so far only these two additional watch parties have been announced, there are contingencies for more if Algeria or the United States advances. During a special meeting on Friday, the City Commission approved a resolution to allow for special events on the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street on future dates that would line up with the later stages of the tournament. For example, the city would allow a special event on Monday, July 6, which would be when the United States would play in the Round of 16 if it beat Bosnia-Herzegovina.

But for at least two more matches, Lawrence can come together to celebrate soccer. Taylor said the way Lawrence has united to show support for the United States and Algeria has been “incredible,” and she hopes the community continues to show up to “share this once in a lifetime experience” of the World Cup.

The celebrations on Wednesday will start at 4 p.m. on the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street and feature music, food trucks and local vendors. Traffic on Massachusetts Street will be closed starting at noon to set up for the event. The actual watch party for the United States and Bosnia match would begin at 7 p.m.

Thursday’s event will start at 6 p.m. in the parking lot next to The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., as well as inside the theater. No areas would be closed to traffic that evening. The actual watch party for the Algeria and Switzerland match will begin at 10 p.m. More information can be found on The Granada’s website.

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

Fans gather in downtown Lawrence for a 2026 FIFA World Cup watch party on Saturday, June 27, 2026.