From the pitch to the people: Your complete guide to GOAL MTL 2025

On Sunday, July 27, GOAL MTL returns to Percival Molson Stadium—and the event might be built around soccer, but it’s about a lot more than just goals.

What started as a grassroots charity match has evolved into a full-blown festival of football, food, music, and culture, powered by the GOAL Initiatives Foundation. It’s part street party, part wellness day, part community fundraiser. And it’s completely free to attend.

There’s a 24-team tournament on the pitch. DJs and tattoo artists on the sidelines. Fresh fades happening in one corner, spicy jerk chicken grilling in another. Local heroes, national athletes, and your favourite baristas are all in the mix. And every bite, sip, and pass supports youth programs across the city.

This is your guide to GOAL MTL 2025—what to see, what to eat, and why it matters.

Quick facts: What you need to know

📍 Location: Percival Molson Stadium

📅 Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025

🕒 Time: 11 AM – 4 PM

🎟 Admission: Free for all

🌐 Info & donations: goalinitiatives.org

What to watch: The matches, the mayhem, the Top Bins

The main event? A friendly but fiercely competitive 24-team tournament featuring local businesses, restaurants, hospitality crews, and a few pros. Whether they’re in it for the win or just to flex new kits, they’re all playing for bragging rights and community causes.

This is the only soccer tournament where your barista might nutmeg your favourite chef.

Don’t miss:

• The Top-Bins Challenge presented by Putter’s Pickles—players test their aim for a cash prize and pure glory.
• Fundraising race: each team has a page at goalinitiatives.org. The one with the most donations takes the title of Top Fundraiser 2025.
• Youth drills led by Passion Soccer—open to the next generation of scorers.

What to eat and drink: Fuel up!

Every snack and sip you buy supports community programming. Pro tip: eat early. The lines don’t lie. The lineup is stacked:

• Bossa – The city’s best sandwiches, no debate.
• Chef Paul Toussaint – Jerk chicken that demands attention.
• Café Olimpico – Come for the espresso, stay for the neighbourhood pride.
• Tasting bars – El Jimador, Cottage Springs, and more keep the drinks flowing.
• Treats – Snowcones, pickles on a stick, and other festival fuel.

Off-pitch highlights: Fresh fades, ink, and ice baths

No ticket, no wristband—just show up and jump in. There’s a whole world beyond the sideline. Whether you’re coming for wellness or chaos, here’s where to look:

• 💈 Maison Privée – Free festival cuts and shape-ups
• 🖋 Burning Monk Tattoo – Walk-up flash tattoos by Linus!
• 🎨 Live art – From muralist Leandro Vergara
• 🧵 DIY tie-dye and mini golf
• 🎧 DJ sets by Baroque Agency, Mr Notre-Dame, and DJ Psychology
• 🧊 Ice baths, hydration booths, and sprinkler stations

Meet the Ambassadors

GOAL MTL pulls in a serious guest list of athletes, artists, and culture-makers who care about giving back. They’re not just posing for selfies—they’re part of the ecosystem of the event:

• Joel Waterman (CF Montréal)
• Amy Walsh & Patrice Bernier (Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame)
• Felicia Roy (Roses FC), Tyrell Richards (CFL)
• Chef Antonio Park, Olivia Smart (Olympian), Nir Guzinski (actor)
• Patrick Langlois (radio personality)

Why it natters: Playing with purpose

GOAL MTL isn’t just a day in the sun. It’s how the GOAL Initiatives Foundation funds real impact:

• A new pitch at École Notre-Dame Saint-Joseph in La Prairie
• The Kicking It Out mental wellness program at Westmount High
• Full-year scholarships for youth at CS Saint-Laurent
• Support for grassroots growth with Lasalle Soccer Club and the DeRo Foundation

“Football brings people together,” says founder Paul Desbaillets, “but when we layer on music, food, art, wellness, and community—that’s where the magic happens.”

Links you’ll need

• 🌐 goalinitiatives.org
• 📍 Percival Molson Stadium
• 💸 Team fundraising pages & donations
• 📲 @goalinitiatives on Instagram