EASTHAMPTON — Mayor Salem Derby’s plan to hold a “festival-style” World Cup soccer watch party next month with music, food, drinks and games has been given the green light after officially receiving state grant funding and proper licensing.
While the event, dubbed the “Millside Summer Series,” will center around viewing parties for three FIFA World Cup matches, Derby said it entails much more, including music, food trucks, breweries and other activities across five days.
“It’s going to be a really significant economic develop opportunity for the city, giving the ability to highlight artists, musicians, food, breweries and businesses,” Derby said in an interview Thursday.
The first day on Friday, June 19, at 4 p.m., will include a Juneteenth celebration, a viewing of the Scotland versus Morocco World Cup match and several music performances. The other dates are June 20, 26 and 27, concluding on June 29 with a USA250 celebration honoring the history of Easthampton and the Easthampton High School We The People team, hosting music performances, another soccer match viewing, ending in a laser show finale.
The free event requires tickets to be obtained online before attending.
“It’s a free, family-friendly event and we’re designing it to put a spotlight on Easthampton,” Derby said.
The event is possible through a $100,000 matching grant that Easthampton secured through a state program, part of $10 million awarded to 17 Massachusetts communities to support different fan celebrations and watch parties as the 2026 FIFA World Cup is brought to the United States. Greenfield also secured a grant.
The first match of the tournament will see Mexico take on South Africa on June 11, and there will be seven matches held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
When first presented by Derby in April, the pitch for the event drew questions from city councilors wondering how the city would pay the matching $100,000 in the midst of a financial deficit. Derby assured that the city would not pay a dime and in an interview this week, said that promise remains intact.
“City funds will not be used, we were able to get partners for everything,” Derby said, adding that public safety overtime costs for the event are estimated at $5,600, which will be covered by a sponsor.
Derby said there was a tight timeline to get the event organized between applying and securing the grant, and receiving the FIFA World Cup watch party license, but after receiving the license on Monday, the event is good to go. “We are just finalizing preparations,” he said.
While Easthampton has received its license, several other communities remain waiting for theirs, but Gov. Maura Healey assured on Tuesday that they would be rolled out by FIFA this week.
“Communities should be assured that those licenses are forthcoming, so they should get out there, get after it, plan those watch parties,” Healey told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “We want World Cup to be something that’s celebrated across the state, enjoyed across the state.”
Derby said the Easthampton event is possible through a partnership with 4Life Entertainment, an Easthampton event production company that organizes concerts and festivals, which is matching the $100,000 grant through production services. 4Life will be providing a “concert-level” production with soccer games and performances on a large LED screen, the mayor said.
“4Life is such an amazing partner they really have such a depth in experience and putting on events like this,” Derby said.
To help attendants visit, Derby said there will be a shuttle system to drive people from city parking lots to Millside Park and a temporary bike-ride system through the ValleyBike Share to help as well, with parking limited. Additionally, there will be a kid zone with different games and many activities such as lawn games and face painting, Derby said.
Another exciting aspect, Derby said, is the city was able to partner with GoNetSpeed to get Wi-Fi and electrical upgrades permanently installed at Millside Park. Two navigation kiosks will also be permanently installed in the area by 4Life. Overall, Derby has touted the event as a way to bring the Easthampton community together and uplift its musicians, businesses and people.
“When budgets are tough … you (have to) step up and highlight the amazing things you have in your community,” Derby said.
Material from State House News Service was used in this article.
