Knoxville's own professional soccer team One Knox SC is hosting a watch party June 19 in Market Square to cheer on Team USA in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and you're invited!
The party runs from 1 to 6 p.m. to watch the U.S. Men's Team take on Australia in the second match for both teams. The match itself starts at 3 p.m.
And yes, you can purchase alcohol at the event, city officials confirmed.
The watch party in Market Square starts after the MLK Jr. Parade/March and Juneteenth Celebration, with parade lineup set for 8:30 a.m. at Chilhowee Park. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and ends at Dr. Walter Hardy Park where the Juneteenth Celebration will run 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
USA and Australia are entering the match with solid momentum, with the U.S. team trouncing Paraguay 4-1 on June 12, and Australia beating Turkey 2-0 on June 14. The teams will meet in Seattle, Washington, to play on Lumen Field, which was one of eight stadiums that converted from artificial turf to natural grass for the tournament.
Fans watching in Knoxville can beam with pride knowing that every soccer pitch in all 16 stadiums hosting matches including Lumen Field were researched and developed by experts at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville – even if the city itself isn't hosting any of the teams.
The research team, led by UT distinguished professor and expert John Sorochan, embarked on a yearslong research endeavor with a goal of creating consistent soccer pitches across North America. It's all in the name of fairness, safety and uniformity.
One Knox also is working in tandem with Kern's Food Hall to show every match in the tournament, including marquee matches with prizes. The next U.S. team watch party is at Kern's is June 25.
Keenan Thomas is the higher education reporter for Knox News. Email: keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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Source: Knoxville News Sentinel
