June soccer festivities kick off community excitement
AC Grand Rapids is counting down to its first competitive season in 2027, a milestone that includes the construction of Amway Stadium, a venue that will serve as the team’s home base and a community gathering point.
Throughout June the club is leveraging the global appeal of the FIFA World Cup by organizing a series of watch parties across Grand Rapids, turning the city into a hub for fans who want to experience the tournament’s opening matches together.
The first of those events, scheduled for June 11 at Studio Park, will feature food trucks, live music and family‑friendly activities, and registration is required for attendees who want to secure a spot at the World Cup opening watch party.
A week later, on June 19, the city will host the GR World Cup Block Party, where street soccer will take center stage and the USA‑Australia match will be shown on a public screen; the celebration will also include a DJ, block‑party games and a lineup of food trucks, with registration again required for participants.
The Grand Rapids Art Museum will add a cultural twist by screening the documentary "Summer of '94" at 5 P.M., while AC Grand Rapids President Darrius Barnes recently appeared on the Morning Mix to discuss the upcoming season and encourage fans to register for the events and stay tuned for the full schedule on acgrandrapids.com.