If you can’t find a place to sit at a local watering hole or restaurant to watch this weekend’s United States and Mexico soccer matches in the Round of 16 at the World Cup, the Arlington Theater will have plenty seats for the big games.
The Arlington will be showing for free the U.S. vs. Ghana match on Saturday and Sunday’s Mexico vs. Argentina clash live on its giant movie screen. Both matches kick off at 11:30 a.m.
“We do these kind of things for big events that are interesting for the community,” Karen Killingsworth, manager of the Arlington Theater, said. “We showed the Obama inauguration and the Academy Awards. We just open the doors, it’s all free.”
The Arlington opened its doors for Wednesday’s 7 a.m. match between the U.S. and Algeria, and Killingsworth said between 400-500 people stopped by to watch some of the action of the dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory by the Americans.
“I was blown away by the response we got. When I opened the doors at 6:30 twenty people came in,” she said.
The theater will offer the same amenities it does for concerts: the snack bar and the outdoor alcohol bar service. Alcoholic drinks are not permitted inside the theater, but Killingsworth said a television will be set up in the bar area so fans don’t miss any of the action.
The atmosphere was festive for the U.S.-Algeria game, with some passionate fans proudly wearing red, white and blue regalia and carrying flags.
Killingsworth was impressed with their loyalty and patriotism.
“They stood for the national anthem, which blew me away,” she said.
Killingsworth noted that the theater is able to show the games because there is no conflict with its movie schedule.
As of now, the theater is committed to show the World Cup final on July 11, but the hope is the U.S. and Mexico win their games this weekend to keep them on the silver screen a little longer.
