The major global soccer (football) championship is set to begin June 11, 2026 — with matches taking place in Mexico, United States, and Canada, and even closer to home in Toronto. This five-week event is expected to create widespread excitement and enthusiasm to watch matches as part of groups and crowds.

These upcoming games are a big opportunity for restaurants, bars, patios, banquet halls, and individuals to host viewing events for increased attendance and create a memorable experience. However, hosting an event may create legal, safety, and insurance exposures if planning is rushed or incomplete.

If you are planning a watch party or public viewing event, it is worth thinking beyond setting up screens and planning food specials. Organizers need to consider public viewing rules, liquor licence obligations, premises safety, occupancy limits, staff training, emergency planning, and whether insurance coverage is designed for the risks that can come with alcohol service and large crowds.
 

1. Confirm Whether Your Event Requires Additional Permissions

Not every match screening is treated the same. Smaller in-venue showings at existing bars or restaurants fall into a lower-risk category, but larger or more visible events can trigger additional requirements.

If admission is charged, sponsors are promoted, the event is marketed as a distinct watch party, or the screening is designed to attract a significant crowd, organizers should review regulations provided by FIFA (Download PDF: Toronto Community Activation Toolkit 2.0) and determine whether a formal licence is needed.

Public viewing rules for the 2026 tournament apply to exhibitions outside a private home and may distinguish between non-commercial, special non-commercial, and commercial events.

LEARN MORE: FIFA Public Viewing Regulations (Canada, Mexico & USA)

At A Glance: Public Viewing Licensing Categories

Licence categories courtesy: Public Viewing Licence Categories | Toronto.ca (opens as PDF)
 

2. Review Liquor Licensing and Alcohol Service Responsibilities

For Ontario organizers, alcohol service should be reviewed carefully before kickoff. If the event is being held at a licensed restaurant or bar, your existing licence may cover normal service, but special formats can still require additional permits.

If the event is hosted in a venue that is not already licensed, or alcohol will be sold or served at a temporary or public event, a Special Occasion Permit may be required through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Alcohol-related claims often arise from issues which appear avoidable: over-service, poor age verification, insufficient supervision, lack of food and water availability, or failure to intervene when a guest is clearly intoxicated.

Organizers should ensure staff are properly trained (and re-trained), service policies are clear, potential intoxication is monitored, and guests have access to safe transportation options at the end of the event.
 

3. Plan for Crowd Safety, Venue Risks, and Operations

Matches can turn an ordinary service period into a high-traffic event very quickly. Organizers should review their occupancy limits, emergency exits, washroom capacity, security needs, line management, trip hazards, lighting, and patio/outdoor weather plans. If a large crowd is expected, think through who will be responsible for crowd flow, incident response, first aid, and communication if the event needs to pause or close early.

Depending on the event format, organizers may also need to consider municipal permits, noise exemptions, patio approvals, fire codes, accessibility, and health and food service requirements. These issues become even more important for outdoor gatherings and any event that extends beyond regular operations.
 

4. Make Sure Insurance Matches the Event Exposure

One of the common mistakes event organizers make is assuming that their existing commercial general liability policy automatically covers every aspect of a special event.

This may not always be the case. A viewing event can include exposures that differ from ordinary operations, especially if alcohol is served, attendance increases, entertainment is added, or the event extends outdoors or even off-site.

For organizers serving alcohol, Party Alcohol Liability (PAL) insurance is strongly recommended. PAL Insurance can help protect hosts and event organizers against claims arising from alcohol-related incidents, such as injury, property damage, or allegations tied to intoxicated guests.

Additionally private organizers, community groups, or businesses staging a one-off event, PAL coverage is a way to address exposures that standard policies may limit or exclude all together.

Before promoting a major watch party, it is a good idea to speak with your insurance broker about expected attendance, alcohol service, venue setup, security, and whether additional insureds or event coverage is needed. It’s also recommended organizers seek legal advice on licensing, contracts, sponsorships, or promotional language.
 

5. A Quick Pre-Event Checklist

• Confirm whether your event is purely informal, non-commercial, or a public viewing event that may require a licence
• Review whether your liquor licence is sufficient or whether a Special Occasion Permit is required
• Re-train staff on age verification, over-service prevention (i.e. Smart Serve in Ontario), and incident response plans
• Assess occupancy, exits, security, washrooms, accessibility, and inclement weather plans
• Assess any security concerns based on anticipated crowd sizes and determine if any additional security measures are needed for the event
• Review municipal and bylaw requirements for patios, signage, noise, and special outdoor setups
• Speak with a Staebler Insurance Broker about commercial liability, host liability, and Party Alcohol Liability (PAL) insurance coverage

The upcoming global soccer (football) event will create exciting opportunities for hospitality businesses and event organizers across Ontario. However, the key is to treat a viewing event as more than just a marketing opportunity.

With the right planning around licensing, safety, alcohol service, and insurance — including Party Alcohol Liability insurance — organizers can reduce their risk and focus on delivering a memorable experience.

For additional reading from a legal perspective, and FAQs related to viewing parties, visit Gowling WLG.

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