The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, in partnership with the Town of Schroon Lake and the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a FIFA watch party to celebrate the FIFA World Cup Championship game.
The Shores and Scores Festival will take place on Sunday, July 19 at the pavilion on Leland Avenue in Schroon Lake beginning at 2:00 p.m. The highlight of the event will be the FIFA World Cup final game shown on a large viewing screen, kicking off at 3:00 p.m., broadcast from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
The festival will also offer family activities, soccer-themed games and drills for all skill levels conducted by Schroon Lake Central School, complimentary food to enjoy while cheering on the finalists, face painting to help display team colors and a foam party. Paradox Brewery will be on-hand throughout the event.
The FIFA World Cup welcomes 48 teams from 71 countries taking part in more than 100 games during the tournament, all fostering national pride, showcasing fun rivalries and creating a worldwide shared experience with watch parties taking place around the world.
According to Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce director Sue Palisano, Schroon Lake is excited to become part of this global watch party tradition. Along with many other Adirondack communities, Schroon Lake has a love for the game. “Youth of all ages from many communities throughout the Adirondacks are avid soccer players and fans, and Schroon Lake is certainly no exception,” she said. “These Watch Parties, hosted in large and small locations around the world, underscore a shared experience of the 2026 World Cup tournament that links our small town, and our entire Adirondack region, to the world. Schroon Lake is proud to host this event, and we hope local residents from throughout the region as well as our seasonal visitors join us to be part of the final game.”
In April of this year, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that grant funding would be available to support events tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to expand the economic impact of the World Cup beyond host venues. The funding, awarded through the state’s Community World Cup Grant Program, funds activities such as public viewing events of World Cup matches, community festivals, and tourism-focused initiatives that support small businesses during the FIFA World Cup.
According to ROOST Chief Operating Officer Mary Jane Lawrence, the grant supports ROOST’s vision. “Hosting this World Cup watch party reflects our vision of connecting locals, visitors, and the world to strengthen our communities,” she said. “By creating inclusive experiences for residents, families, and travelers, ROOST is helping bring the excitement of this global event to the Adirondacks.”
Plans for the event continue to be developed; additional information can be found here as it becomes available.
The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is a destination marketing and management organization that leads tourism initiatives in Essex and Hamilton counties, along with the Adirondack communities of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. ROOST’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents by managing and diversifying the region’s tourism economy while promoting sustainable visitation.