COLOMBO: The official FIFA World Cup Fan Zone 2026 was inaugurated on 11 June on York Street, Colombo Fort, in front of the Grand Oriental Hotel, with the event held under the auspices of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.
The Fan Zone will broadcast matches from the global tournament live, and the launch was framed by organisers as a step towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s sports tourism sector. Addressing the opening ceremony, the Minister outlined proposals tied to football development, improvements to sports infrastructure, and wider tourism growth.
In his speech, the Minister said the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) had agreed in principle to provide technical and planning assistance for the construction of an international-standard football stadium in Sri Lanka. He said the proposal followed discussions during the recent visit of the FIFA Vice President, adding that land belonging to the Sri Lanka Investment Board in the Negombo Katana area has already been identified, with preliminary groundwork underway.
The Minister told the gathering that completing the proposed stadium would help Sri Lanka host international football tournaments in the future and would provide a significant boost to tourism in and around Negombo. He also argued that football, like cricket, could raise the country’s international sporting standing while accelerating the development of sports tourism.
Turning to visitor figures, the Minister said that despite global challenges Sri Lanka continues to attract growing numbers of travellers due to its hospitality and cultural heritage, noting that tourist arrivals had surpassed one million as of 31 May.
He also highlighted the setting of the launch, describing the Grand Oriental Hotel—established in 1837—as a symbol of national heritage and an internationally recognised property admired even by visiting heads of state. The Minister said a Cabinet decision has been taken to proceed with the hotel’s restoration and modernisation under the ownership of the Bank of Ceylon, with the aim of bringing it up to modern standards.
The Minister extended an invitation to football fans, particularly those living and working in the Colombo Fort area, to visit the Fan Zone in the coming days to watch live World Cup broadcasts, experience the hotel’s history, and “get some mental relaxation from their busy lives.”
He concluded by thanking the Grand Oriental Hotel’s management and the “York Street Live” team for organising the event.
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