We went to the FIFA Fan Zone on Sunday to watch the Netherlands vs Japan match, and it turned out to be one of the best outings we have done this summer. The setup on the National Mall was impressive. A massive screen right in front of the U.S. Capitol was showing the game live, and hundreds of families were spread out across the grass watching together. There were people in every kind of jersey you can imagine, from Brazil to Germany to Barcelona, and the energy from the crowd made it feel like a real stadium experience, just outdoors.
What surprised us most was how much there was for kids to do beyond watching the game. Off to the side, they had a full street soccer setup run by Street Soccer USA with VISA sponsoring the pitches. Kids were jumping right in and played pickup games with other children for a good 15 minutes. There was also a Bank of America area with an interactive soccer challenge inside a hexagonal booth where kids tried to score against targets while a timer counted down. The Soccer at Schools bus was parked nearby with more activities and giveaways. It was all free, and the kids barely wanted to leave.
The atmosphere was something else. Families set up blankets on the grass, groups of friends shared picnic tables under the red and blue umbrellas, and every time something happened in the game, you could hear the whole Mall react. There were food vendors inside of the giant tent, and a BoFA was giving for free World Cup bracelets. The whole event felt well organized, with security checkpoints at the entrance and staff spread throughout the area keeping things running smoothly.
We stayed for the entire match and then let the kids play more soccer afterwards. With the Capitol on one side and the Washington Monument on the other, it was honestly hard to think of a better backdrop for watching a World Cup game. If you have kids who are into soccer, or even if they are not, this is worth checking out. The Fan Zone runs throughout the tournament, so there will be plenty of chances to go. Just make sure to plan for the heat.