Watch Socceroos World Cup opener on big screen

Football fans will be able to kick-off the FIFA World Cup in style, with the City of Canterbury Bankstown screening Australia’s first game against France in the Bryan Brown Theatre.

The event is the idea of Councillor Bilal El-Hayek who said the live screening will be a family-friendly event on Saturday 16 June, with food and fun activities planned throughout the evening.

"This will be a great opportunity for fans to get together and cheer on Australia, in the biggest sporting event in the world," Clr El-Hayek said.

"Canterbury-Bankstown has a lot of football fans so I expect many will jump at the chance to watch it on a huge screen, in comfort and for free.

"It will be a terrific family event with great food, great football and great company."

Doors will open at 6pm, for the 8pm kick-off, and free parking is available underneath the Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre.

The BLaKC Cafe will also be open for food and drinks.

Mayor Khal Asfour said further World Cup games, involving Australia, may also be screened if this first match proves a success.

"If this is popular with residents, we will look to screen the Socceroos’ matches against Denmark (10pm, Thursday 21 June) and Peru (midnight, Tuesday 26 June)," Mayor Asfour said.

For more information about the event, call 0412 567 155.