Soccer fans in Richmond will have the opportunity to experience this summer’s FIFA World Cup from a unique vantage point: the deck of a historic World War II ship. The Richmond United Soccer Club is working to transform the SS Red Oak Victory into an official Fan Zone for the tournament, offering a maritime backdrop for supporters to watch Team USA and other international squads compete on the global stage.
The organization has confirmed a series of free watch parties for fans. According to the eventbrite, Scheduled events include USA versus Paraguay on June 12 at 5 p.m., Mexico versus South Korea on June 18 at 5:30 p.m., Mexico versus Czechia on June 24 at 5:30 p.m., and USA versus Turkey on June 25 at 5 p.m. The Watch Party for the first match, USA vs. Pparaguay, was already sold out as of this writing.
This initiative was first teased by the soccer club on social media in late April, when members of the top-ranked U15 Guerreros met with Mayor Eduardo Martinez aboard the Red Oak Victory to begin preparations. During the May 26 Richmond City Council meeting, Mayor Martinez and fellow Councilmembers formally commemorated Richmond United’s 30th anniversary, using the occasion to encourage community participation in these events. “Check your FIFA schedule, and we’ll see you there,” the mayor said.
As the city’s oldest soccer organization, Richmond United has been credited with supporting positive youth outcomes and successfully advocating for more public spaces for youth development. Recent advocacy has resulted in new playing fields, and the club is currently seeking support for the Macdonald Mini-Fields Project, a proposed development on a city-owned lot at Macdonald Avenue and 12th Street.
