World Cup watch parties to be held in Peace Plaza next month

The World Cup is about to get under way in Qatar — and soon area soccer fans will be able to take in the action on a big screen in Peace Plaza.

The Rochester Downtown Alliance, in collaboration with Destination Medical Center and Mayo Clinic, is planning to broadcast select World Cup matches on a 19-foot LED screen in the plaza Dec. 9-18.

The viewing parties will be free and open to the public.

“We are very excited to bring this celebratory, global event to downtown Rochester,” said Holly Masek, RDA executive director. “We hope to see members of our community and visitors come together to cheer their teams to the finals.”

Because of the time difference between Qatar and the U.S., games will be broadcast at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and to bring their own chair.

The World Cup group stage begins this weekend, with the quarterfinals — and the downtown viewing parties — beginning on Dec. 9.

Elsewhere in the city, a number of other establishments are planning watch parties of their own, including Little Thistle and Thesis breweries.