BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....Buoyed by the success of Buffalo Sabres' playoff game watch parties, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. is hoping to replicate that success during the upcoming FIFA World Cup soccer series.
"It (the Sabres' watch parties) gave us something we could move forward with," said Mark Wendel, ECHDC president.
For the Sabres' watch parties, several large screens were set up at various Canalside points and there was a wide offering of food trucks and beverage offerings.
By the May 19 watch party - for deciding Game 7 in the Sabres-Montreal Canadiens series - more than 16,000 people came to Canalside.
Wendel said that particular night of the six watch parties at Canalside will serve as the template moving forward.
"Canalside is a natural gathering place for Buffalo." said Joan Kesner, ECHDC chairperson.
The parties are set for:
* June 12 - 7 p.m. --USA vs. Paraguay
* June 19 - 1 p.m. --USA vs. Australia
* June 25 --8 p.m. --USA vs. Turkey
Like the Sabres' watch parties, Canalside's gates will open two hours prior to the start of the match.
The watch parties are being run in conjunction with Visit Buffalo.
Success of Sabres' watch parties leads to soccer watch parties
Success of Sabres' watch parties leads to soccer watch parties
