Scotiabank World Cup of Hockey Free Fan Village Will Offer Much

TORONTO (Sept. 14, 2016) – While the world’s best players face off in the World Cup of Hockey at the Air Canada Centre, Toronto’s historic Distillery District will host the Scotiabank World Cup of Hockey Fan Village, the biggest free hockey fan festival in tournament history and the epicenter of the two-week international tournament. From Sept. 16 through Sept. 25, Fan Village will offer daily, can’t-miss live musical performances; special appearances from World Cup players, NHL Alumni and 2016 Olympians; chances for premium prizes and giveaways; international food offerings; hockey skills challenges and attractions; big screen viewing parties for every game of the tournament; cultural experiences; and much, much more.

A full schedule of events, directions, transportation information, maps and fan reminders are available at wch2016.com/fanvillage.

Scotiabank World Cup of Hockey Fan Village Super Weekend

While the celebration may begin on Sept. 16 with the Pepsi World Cup of Hockey Premiere Party, the merriment continues with Scotiabank World Cup of Hockey Fan Village Super Weekend. Fans visiting on Saturday, Sept. 17 and Sunday, Sept. 18 will get the chance to win more than $8,000 CAD in prizes, including two (2) economy class Air Canada tickets valid to anywhere in North America (including Hawaii); a Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone and Samsung Gear Fit 2; a digitally-signed Team Canada Molson Canadian Fridge; or a one-year supply of free Tim Hortons coffee.

Opening weekend also will feature special appearances from World Cup of Hockey defensemen Morgan Rielly of Team North America (Sept. 17) and Brent Burns of Team Canada (Sept. 18) and former NHL players Adam Graves (Sept. 17) and Theo Fleury (Sept. 17). Visit wch2016.com/fanvillage for times.

Distillery Fan Village & East Fan Village

The Scotiabank World Cup of Hockey Fan Village is comprised of the Distillery District, renamed ‘Distillery Fan Village,’ and the nearby untouched lot east of Cherry Street known as ‘East Fan Village’ for the 10-day festival. East Fan Village will feature a wide variety of free hockey attractions and interactives; the Pepsi Live Main Stage for musical performances, special guest appearances and viewing parties; the World Cup of Hockey official flagship store; a World Cup trophy display; and an international food café, plus more. The Distillery Fan Village will host the Young Fans Zone; the Stanley Cup trophy display; World Cup Tower; the World Stage for viewing parties and special appearances and performances; and food offerings from the participating hockey nations among other activities. (Media note: Maps of Fan Village are available here.)

Public Hours of Operation, Getting to Fan Village & Schedule of Events

The Scotiabank World Cup of Hockey Fan Village will be free and open to the public on Saturday, Sept.17 from 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 18 from 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 19 from 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 20 from 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11:00 a.m. – 11 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 25 from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Fan Village will be open for paid ticketed concerts on Friday, Sept. 16 from 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 23 from 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Fan Village at the Distillery District is best accessed via public transportation (TTC). Fans should utilize buses and street cars that operate in the area. In addition to the TTC, World Cup of Hockey shuttles will run every 10-15 minutes and depart from Bay Street between Harbour Street and Queens Quay, two blocks south of the Air Canada Centre and Union Station.

For Fan Village schedule updates and news, follow @NHL and join the conversation via the official hashtag #WCH2016.

Below are some highlights from the 10-day, free fan festival:

• Special Guest Appearances: Team North America defenseman Morgan Rielly (Sept. 17); Team Canada defenseman Brent Burns (Sept. 18); Former NHL players Adam Graves (Sept. 17), Theo Fleury (Sept. 17), Mike Weaver (Sept. 17), Todd Harvey (Sept. 17), Darcy Tucker (Sept. 20), Lanny McDonald (Sept. 20); women’s hockey legend Cassie Campbell Pascal (Sept. 20); 2016 Olympians (Sept. 23); illusionist Darcy Oake (Sept. 24); and more to be announced in the coming days.
• Live Music: Pepsi World Cup of Hockey Premiere Party headlined by The Killers with special guests Sam Roberts Band and Daya; (Sept. 16; tickets via ticketmaster.ca); Theo Fleury & The Death Valley Rebels (Sept. 17); Choir Choir Choir & Canadian Covers (Sept. 17); ABBA Mania (Sept. 18); country music star Tim Hicks (Sept. 21); World Cup of Hockey Celebration of Champions featuring Green Day (Sept. 23; tickets via ticketmaster.ca); Francesco Yates (Sept. 24); plus much more.
• Young Fans Zone at Distillery Fan Village: Hosted by Mark ’Suki‘ Suknanan, best known for Canada’s top-rated kids show, “The Zone,“ the young fans zone in the Distillery Fan Village will feature kid-friendly entertainment, including daily games, face painting, DIY crafts, cheer squads and costume characters; Paw Patrol appearances (Sept. 18, Sept. 24-25); “Brady Brady“ (Sept. 17-18) and ”Hero the Hero“ (Sept. 17) author readings; daily screenings of the classic hockey film, “The Sweater”; and much more.
• Legacy Project: 100 new Canadians will be sworn in as Canadian citizens in a special ceremony with presiding official Cassie Campbell-Pascall (Sept. 20).

Attractions, Interactives & Experiences

• Sign up for the free Scotiabank Fan Passport to receive information on on-site activities, collect and share moments, and enter for a chance to win a grand prize of two tickets to a luxury suite for Game 2 of the World Cup of Hockey Final with NHL Alumni.
• The Scotiabank 360 Arena will give fans the chance for a virtual reality viewing experience, and youth hockey players can test their skills in real life at the Scotiabank Sport Pad ball hockey rink.
• Fans of legal drinking age looking for the ultimate hockey challenge can face off in the first-of-its-kind Molson Canadian Human Bubble Hockey three-on-three experience.
• Fans 19 and older can stop by the Molson Canadian Hockey House for a $10 entry fee, can enjoy live musical performances, NHL alumni and special meet-and-greets – including visits from Miss Canada Anastasia Lin and Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi play-by-play announcer Harnarayan Singh – World Cup of Hockey trophy viewings, and premium food and ice cold beer.
• Come visit the Samsung #GALAXYLIFE tent to compete in daily Air Hockey Challenges for a chance to win tickets to World Cup of Hockey 2016 games and Samsung products.
• Hone your hockey skills at the SAP Skills Challenge Zone with four hockey skill games as well as leaderboards with stats, and player and puck tracking videos.
• Stop by the World Cup Today, a large-scale, immersive experience that informs hockey fans about the tournament’s history and spectacular moments from The Canada Cup and the first two World Cup tournaments. World Cup Today is a must-see anchor of Fan Village, with new and up-to-the-moment game artifacts on display daily, including player of the game jerseys, game-winning pucks and action-weathered player sticks, among other items.
• Discover the highly anticipated 2017 Civic Hatchback in the Honda Tailgate tent while tailgating with the All-New 2017 Ridgeline. Plus, enter the #CivicSeats contest for a chance to win World Cup tickets.
• Visit the Rogers Fan Hub for innovative and technology-driven interactive experiences, showcasing virtual and augmented reality to unite fans and players from all over the world.
• Visiting adidas’ team-themed Zamboni brand ice resurfacing machines and take the adidas #GetMeToTheGame social photo daily challenge for the chance to win two tickets to World Cup games.
• Step inside the Pepsi World Cup of Hockey photo experience to share your passion for your favourite team in a 360 shareable photo.
• Enjoy live musical performances and unite with thousands of fans to watch every World Cup game on giant screens at the Pepsi Live Main Stage.
• Stop by the Tim Hortons Coffee Truck for a free cup of Canada’s favourite coffee.
• Visit the 2,600 square feet Fanatics Authentic store for officially-licensed World Cup merchandise and memorabilia.
• Sonnet – Canada’s smart new insurance, done completely online – is celebrating the optimism of Canadian hockey fans at this year’s World Cup of Hockey. Check out the Sonnet Cheer Station to share your hockey excitement and focus on the best that can happen.
• Watch for Esso brand representatives to receive PRICE PRIVILEGES™ cards.
• Make a free personalized hockey card and check out the latest and greatest in hockey cards and memorabilia at the Upper Deck and Tim Hortons Trading Card Zone.