World Cup Watch Party on Multiple Screens and FIFA ’23 Video Game Tournament in New Gaming Lounge for Youth

WASHINGTON, DC – The Bowser Administration and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) invite families and youth gamers to DPR’s FIFA eSports Tournament and World Cup Watch Party on Saturday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue NE.

“As the excitement around the World Cup continues to grow, it made sense to offer our spin on a watch party for District families and include our rapidly growing eSports program,” said DPR Director Delano Hunter. “Programs like eSports and sports like soccer help DPR engage with youth and provide playing fields to keep young people out of harm’s way and open new doors of opportunity.”

The FIFA event features a FIFA ’23 video game tournament while unveiling the first of six new Gaming Lounges created through DPR eSports program. Lounges are designed to look like a teen’s bedroom and contain gaming consoles, flat-screen TVs, gaming PCs with Alienware, arcade machines, gaming chairs, bean bag chairs, and modern decor accented with LED lighting.

When expansion is completed by Spring 2023, DPR will have new Gaming Lounges at the following locations:

• Raymond Recreation Center (opened December 2022)
• Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (opened December 2022)
• Trinidad Recreation Center (opening 2023)
• Columbia Heights Community Center (opening 2023)
• Fort Stanton Recreation Center (opening 2023)
• Hillcrest Recreation Center (opening 2023)  

Residents ages 10-17 years old can register to participate in Saturday’s tournament, to be played on the iconic EA Sports game FIFA ’23. Prizes include Nintendo Switch Lite and gaming gift card.

In addition, DPR will host a live watch party for both World Cup Quarterfinal games scheduled on jumbo screens indoors and outdoors. Morocco vs. Portugal are scheduled to play at 10:00 a.m. and England vs. France at 2:00 p.m. This will include family fun activities as well as the opportunity to try the new soccer-based sport Teqball, a combination of soccer and table tennis, and learn about various soccer programs in the District.

For event information and to register for the tournament, visit DPR.events.

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