World Cup rebound for Calgary bars and restaurants
Posted Jun 13, 2026 2:56 pm.
Last Updated Jun 13, 2026 2:57 pm.
A rainy spring in Calgary has put a little damper on the beginning of patio season this year, but bars and restaurants are hoping to bounce back with the start of the FIFA World Cup.
Regardless of rain or shine, Emmanuel Okoye is among the soccer fans filling the patio at the Ship and Anchor.
“It’s our first time hosting a World Cup in our home soil, so this is a monumental day for Canada. It’s monumental for the beautiful game,” he said.
A lineup at the 17 Avenue SW bar with the patio filled and standing room only inside, as people tried to get a piece of World Cup action.
“This is not a typical crowd for a typical Friday at 1 p.m.,” said Ship and Anchor director of operations Nicola Trolez. “With the weather, we haven’t seen as much patio action as we typically would see.”
Concordia University economist Moshe Lander, who is also from Calgary, says soccer action not directly in the city can actually be a good thing since we don’t have to invest in infrastructure, yet still gain some economic benefits.
“Because we don’t have to fix McMahon Stadium, we can just say anybody who wants to pass through Calgary on the way to Vancouver or on the way from Vancouver,” he said.
“Or anyone in Vancouver who wants to get out of town while the circus is around, come on over, we’re only a 90-minute flight away.”
Lander does caution, though, that with the Calgary Stampede around the corner, there’s potential that people at home may pull back their spending if they feel it in their pocketbooks.
But for now, businesses are hoping they can score some more wins with the World Cup crowd, at least until better weather returns to Calgary.
“I think we’re very fortunate that we have that we have these games to count on with the weather being what it is,” Trolez said.
