Overview
- The Fan Festival opened June 12 and closed Saturday after a 16-day run that drew families, international supporter groups and steady crowds to City Hall Plaza.
- Organizers and staff said the event ran smoothly with visible police and private security, volunteer-managed wristband systems for popular attractions and orderly lines for big matches.
- A late surge around the Norway vs. France match produced lines stretching around the block and high attendance on Friday, underscoring the plaza’s role as an alternative viewing site for those who could not get stadium tickets.
- Bank of America’s customizable 'BofA Fan Bands' went viral late in the run and prompted long waits and time-slot wristbands, producing noticeable foot traffic and souvenir spending at vendor stalls.
- Supporter contingents such as Scotland’s Tartan Army and visiting fans from Norway and France said the festival felt welcoming, and local vendors and volunteers reported the event boosted street-level commerce and community energy.