By David Markham
The excitement was palpable and the international flavor of the event was obvious as an excited crowd of soccer fans watched the Argentina national football team beat Algeria 3-0 during the first installment of the Johnson County Watch Party on the evening of Tuesday, June 16. All registrations for Tuesday’s event were claimed in advance.
The watch party will continue through July 19, but the showing of today’s (June 17) afternoon game has been cancelled because of anticipated inclement weather.
After more than a year of planning, this month-long free community event has transformed the Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission to bring 2026 FIFA World Cup™ excitement to Johnson County. If turnout for the first game is any indication, the next month will be wild!
The Johnson County Watch Party’s ambitious viewing schedule calls for showing a total of 28 international soccer matches over 20 days. The complete schedule can be found at JCPRD.com/2181/Johnson-County-Watch-Party. Note that game start times vary from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with many in between.
The watch party is being presented in partnership with Johnson County Government. Guests can experience live World Cup matches on a massive new 20′ x 30′ LED screen, along with food trucks, local vendors, entertainment, soccer play spaces, hands-on art activities, and more.
“It will be a fun, safe, family-friendly environment with that athletic event flair you can get at a large sporting event,” said Theatre in the Park Associate Artistic Director Guy Gardner. “As the most active watch party in the area, I hope everyone enjoys it enough to come out multiple times!”
“Community events are truly at the heart of how JCPRD connects with residents, builds relationships, and strengthens community identity,” said JCPRD Executive Director Jeff Stewart. “Shared experiences in parks and public spaces bring people together across neighborhoods, cultures, and generations. Our Theatre in the Park will be a fantastic venue for these watch parties, just as it’s been for theater performances and other community gatherings. We’re set to feature live match screenings alongside a variety of cultural, recreational, and youth-focused activities, giving participants plenty of ways to engage with the excitement of the tournament throughout the day and evening. We’re committed to creating an inclusive experience that truly reflects Johnson County’s character and dedication to public service.”
The Johnson County Watch Party is a free event, but because space is limited, registration is required. Sign up now at jcwatchparty.vfairs.com/en/events-page.
“You’ll want to make sure you get your spot in case we sell out,” Gardner said. “Register for each match you want to attend, and when you register you can add up to four people under your registration. I imagine we will be pretty full each day! As one of the few free watch parties in the area, it’s an easy ticket to afford!”
Upon arrival, guests should expect to show the QR code they will receive through the registration process, and to undergo a security check.
With the exception of one clear plastic water bottle per guest (can be with or without water), attendees will not be able to bring outside food or beverages into the watch party, but the Theatre in the Park concession stand will be open for every event and will sell popcorn, hot dogs, pizza, adult beverages, and more. At least two to three local food trucks will also be on site for most matches.
Other prohibited items include coolers, glass or metal bottles, laser pointers, noisemakers, explosives, fireworks, flares, smoke bombs, weapons or dangerous items, illegal substances, animals, backpacks, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, large purses, and tents. Guests will be able to bring clear bags, chairs, blankets, tarps, wagons, and umbrellas.
Besides watching World Cup matches, guests can expect many other watch party activities.
Corporate and Community Wellness Manager Lacey Fisher said she has worked across JCPRD Recreation Division departments to create opportunities which will allow for attendees to engage in “free play” during the event.
“We will have two 5v5 soccer pitches set up at every watch party that will allow for pick-up games to be played,” she said. “These won’t be officiated, but we do expect some competition! Other activities include a penalty kick opportunity, speed and agility drills, “keepy ups” challenges, soccer croquet, kick darts, foot golf, volleyball with beach balls, and fowling — which is a combination of football toss and bowling. These opportunities will keep soccer at the forefront but also incorporate some uniqueness.”
The arts will also have a presence at the watch parties, not only in the form of 30 “Celebration Flags” at Theatre in the Park created by 10 regional artists out of ripstop nylon fabric from a decommissioned hot-air balloon, but also through art-related activities during the event.
“We’ll have art activities every day with activities changing up throughout the summer,” noted Fine Arts Specialist Ryan Bell. “Guests can paint mini canvases, make a butterfly puppet, decorate their own pennant flag, and more! We’ll also have youth activities like giant building blocks and soccer darts on most event days and face painting every Saturday.”
To accommodate the watch party, Theatre in the Park has rearranged its summer season of musicals so that two shows are being presented before the party begins, and two more will happen in late July (“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” July 24-Aug. 1) and early August (“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Aug. 14-22).
The new giant new screen was installed earlier this week, following the run of There in the Park’s production of “Oklahoma!
“We are PROS at flipping our site, because for over 50 summers we’ve been striking one set one night, and putting up the other the next day,” he said.
When no evening World Cup games are scheduled, free movies will be shown at Theatre in the Park on the big screen through the Movies in the Park program. Dates and movies are: June 24, “A Minecraft Movie,” Rated PG; June 26, “Tangled,” Rated PG; June 29, “The Wizard of Oz,” Rated G; June 30, “Frozen,” Rated PG; July 8, “A League of Their Own,” Rated PG; July 16, “The Princess and the Frog,” Rated G; and July 17, “Mean Girls” (2024), Rated PG-13 (audience is encouraged to sing along).
Presentation of the Johnson County Watch Party is a massive undertaking with more than 300 slots for volunteers over 20 days in areas including concessions, hospitality, and activities. Sign up to be part of the action at JOCO Samaritan Portal.
Officials see the watch party not just as a chance to bring people together through sports, but make a positive impression on folks who have never visited a JCPRD site before.
“This is more than a watch party,” added Marketing & Communications Manager Kellen Jenkins. “It’s an opportunity for JCPRD to show how parks and public spaces can bring people together around major cultural moments. Whether you’re a lifelong soccer fan or just looking for a fun summer outing with your family, we want this to feel like a place where everyone is welcome.”
Theatre in the Park is located in Shawnee Mission Park with a separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road in Shawnee.
