Taste of the Caribbean Festival adds official quarterfinal watch party in Montreal

Taste of the Caribbean Festival will host an official quarterfinal soccer viewing from July 9-12 at Montreal’s Old Port, combining live match screenings with Caribbean food, music and cultural programming. The free event is expected to draw more than 250,000 visitors over four days. Why it matters: - The festival is turning Montreal’s Old Port into a major summer sports-and-culture draw during the quarterfinals. - The event blends live soccer, Caribbean gastronomy and community programming in one free public venue. - Organizers say the 2026 edition is expected to attract more than 250,000 visitors in four days. What happened: - Le Festival Un Goût des Caraïbes and Tanguay announced an official quarterfinal viewing event for July 9-12, 2026. - The screenings will take place in the Zone de Soccer Tanguay at Quai de l’Horloge in Montreal’s Old Port. - The festival runs daily from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Admission is free, though some on-site activities may require a ticket. The details: - All quarterfinal matches will be shown live on a giant screen. - Scheduled broadcasts include July 9 at 4 p.m. from Boston. - Scheduled broadcasts include July 10 at 3 p.m. from Los Angeles. - Scheduled broadcasts include July 11 at 5 p.m. from Kansas City and 9 p.m. from Miami. - The soccer zone will include activities and skills challenges for all ages. - The festival will screen the documentary Z’antiye Football Club, which focuses on soccer legends from Martinique and Guadeloupe. - The program includes special appearances by soccer figures, celebrities and community leaders. - Soccer IQ and Complete Striker, led by Ali Gerba, will present interactive programming. - The festival will also feature a celebrity match and community competitions. - Food, drinks, music and cultural entertainment will run throughout the day. - The festival’s expanded 2026 programming is set around the Quai de l’Horloge venue. - Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and wear their team colors. Between the lines: - The quarterfinal viewing gives the festival a broader appeal than a cultural event alone. - The addition of live sports programming suggests a push to widen attendance and deepen engagement across families, soccer fans and community groups. - Ali Gerba’s role positions the festival as both entertainment and youth-oriented sports outreach. What’s next: - Ali Gerba will host four exclusive workshops during the festival at Complete Striker, the elite training center. - The workshops will cover his international career, the sacrifices and discipline behind professional soccer, work-life balance and life after playing. - The sessions are designed to motivate young people, aspiring athletes and anyone interested in leadership and personal development. - Gerba will appear under the One Love tent each evening at 7 p.m. - The festival’s Concert Zone RISE will present four nights of performances across konpa, reggae, soca, Latin and Caribbean music. - The Kids Zone will offer games, workshops and interactive activities for children. - The Latin Zone will highlight Latin-Canadian culture through music, dance, food and cultural presentations. - The Merchant Zone will feature local artisans, fashion creators, handmade products and Caribbean-inspired goods. - More information and the full schedule are available here . - The festival can also be followed on social media at @ilovetotc and #ilovetotc. The bottom line: - Taste of the Caribbean Festival is using the quarterfinals to anchor a larger four-day celebration of sport, culture and community in Montreal.