The ACT government will consider adding "additional live sites" for fans to watch World Cup games in the city after backlash over the decision to show games on a big screen at the University of Canberra.
The bad news for fans who have flooded social media and online forums pleading for a Civic live site is the government won't change its plans until the Socceroos progress through the group stage, despite ACT Senate candidate Nick Tyrrell writing to Yvette Berry to declare a live site could be installed in the city centre by Saturday morning for "the cost of filling one pothole".
World Cup fever is gripping the capital after the Socceroos beat Turkey in their tournament opener last week, and huge numbers are expected to tune into a blockbuster showdown with the United States on Saturday morning.
The government struck a deal to extend trading hours for pubs and clubs, and have the University of Canberra as an indoor live site for the early parts of the tournament, like it has done for previous World Cups.
An ACT government spokesperson said the deal was made so "Canberrans can support local businesses and the Socceroos at the same time".
But after seeing more than 7000 fans watch the win against Turkey in Federation Square in Melbourne, Canberra fans are yearning for the excitement and atmosphere of an outdoor party in the city.
"Through my own calls over the last 24 hours, contacting well-regarded contractors who have previously done work for the ACT government, I am assured that audio-visual equipment and fencing could be installed in time for Saturday morning for around $15,000," Tyrrell wrote to Berry.
"I recognise the ACT government is in a dire fiscal position ... in this city, $15,000 would be about the cost of filling one pothole.
"A watch-site in Civic on Saturday morning would excite fans, show support to our Socceroos, and be a very welcome boost to economic activity in our city centre (which depserately needs any support it can get)."
The issue has been a hot topic on social media, lighting up comments sections with fans who want a better atmosphere than the one offered at the university.
"Canberrans, listen up," one user said on Instagram. "We watched Melbourne's Fed Square get their good old live site... we watched every state in Australia get their live site. Where is our live site?"
Another Canberra soccer fan declared on Instagram that "we want atmosphere".
More than 2000 Canberrans gathered to watch the Matildas play on the big screen three years ago and fans raved about the atmosphere when they gathered in the city to watch the Socceroos play against Argentina four years ago.
"The only place that wasn't going off [on Sunday] was Canberra," he said. "Every football fan in Canberra wants to see another live event happen at Civic Square."
Live sites for the World Cup have been a source of contention across Australia. The Victorian government overturned its decision to scrap Federation Square as a watch location after fury in the soccer community. More than 7000 fans watched the opening game last weekend.
At the other end of the spectrum, and in a city of a similar size to Canberra, officials in Newcastle haven't even offered an indoor live site as an option.
The University of Canberra Refectory has space for 1700 people and food and drinks available for purchase. The government has provided a list of other pubs and clubs that will be opening for the 5am match.
The good news for fans is the government will consider additional live sites if the Socceroos advance beyond their group, but not in time for the clash against the US.
"Consistent with previous World Cups, the ACT government has partnered with the University of Canberra to deliver a live site at the UC Refectory and has also extended trading hours for venues, pubs, and clubs so Canberrans can support local businesses and the Socceroos at the same time," a government spokesperson said.
"We are conscious that the match times and winter weather in Canberra will determine the best watch party options when the Socceroos advance from the group stage.
"The government is preparing for this and will provide an update on an additional site location as soon as the schedule for the Socceroos beyond the group stage is clear."
One commenter on Reddit agreed with the government's decision to keep watch parties indoors for the group stage, arguing that Canberra fans won't actually show up for Saturday's showdown. "It's cold and half the matches are at an ungodly hour," they said. " Big screens aren't free... the cost/benefit isn't there."
The Socceroos are in Group D at the World Cup. If they beat the US, they will advance to the next stage of the competition. If they lose, their fate could come down to the final group game against Paraguay on June 26.
