The city of San Jose and Mayor Matt Mahan announced on Friday that watch parties for Sunday’s World Cup matches will be held at new locations approximately one mile from downtown. The venues for the day’s games include Discovery Meadow at 180 Woz Way and the SAP Center at 525 W. Santa Clara Street. San Jose is about 9 miles northeast of Saratoga.
Sunday’s schedule features matches between Mexico and England, as well as Brazil and Norway. Discovery Meadow will broadcast both games, while the SAP Center will show the Mexico versus England contest. Tickets are required for entry to both sites and can be purchased online.
The relocation follows a chaotic scene on Tuesday night at San Pedro Square Market, which has served as the primary gathering spot for Bay Area soccer fans since the tournament began on June 11. During the match where Mexico defeated Ecuador, police reported multiple fights and the discharge of fireworks in the streets. Two individuals were stabbed, and crowds surrounded an ambulance. Officers in riot gear used pepper spray on some attendees.
Mayor Mahan stated that while the outdoor broadcast at San Pedro Square Market will not take place on Sunday, the restaurants and bars within the market will remain open for business. The city confirmed that regular watch parties will resume at San Pedro Square Market on Monday.
Prior to the Tuesday incident, crowds of up to 30,000 people had gathered at the square to view games on large screens with minimal issues. Mahan described the move to the new sites as an opportunity for fans to gather in roomier spaces as excitement for the tournament continues to grow across the city.