If you can’t score (or afford) tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon has an alternative for you, without all the thrills and fancy footwork but with a lot more laughs — and a murder to be solved to boot.
Running for seven public performances from June 25 until July 4, Murder at the Match: 2026 World Cup Edition is an original interactive comedy mystery inspired by the world’s biggest sporting event.
Carrying on from its fall 2022 production Murder at the Match: A World Cup Murder Mystery, which celebrated Canada’s national soccer team first appearance at the World Cup in 36 years when it was held in Qatar, Globus Theatre is celebrating Canada’s co-hosting of the tournament for the first time with an entirely new mystery featuring fresh suspects, familiar faces, and plenty of international chaos.
“What I love about creating these murder mysteries is the chance to capture a specific moment in time and build an entirely new story around it,” says Globus Theatre’s artistic director Sarah Quick.
“Back in 2022, our World Cup mystery focused on Canada’s long-awaited return to the tournament after 36 years. In 2026, the excitement feels even bigger, with Canada stepping onto the world stage not only as a competitor, but as one of the host nations for this historic tri-national event.”
While the 2022 production had audiences solving the mystery of the murder of fictional Canadian soccer legend Diego Marrydora (paying homage to the Argentine soccer player Diego Maradona), Murder at the Match: 2026 World Cup Edition takes it up a notch with an international incident.
Co-hosted by three countries — Canada, the United States, and Mexico — for the first time ever, the 2026 World Cup should be a celebration of unity, talent, and the beautiful game.
Instead, rival nations with scheming managers, spotlight-hungry influencers, over-pressured superstars, and suspicious sports officials juggling international oversized egos results in chaos when one key player doesn’t make it to kickoff.
While suspicion erupts across three countries, with every border crossing hiding a clue and every match hiding a motive, one thing is clear: someone wants to take the trophy by eliminating the competition.
Globus Theatre is encouraging audience members to come in an appropriate costume, or to pick a country playing in the World Cup to support and dress in those colours.
Theatre-goers will enjoy canapes as they arrive and get introduced to the main characters, played by Jennine Profeta (Girls Night Out), Kerry Griffin (Schitt’s Creek, Murdoch Mysteries, Slaphappy), Allan Cooke (Do You Take This Man?), Mallory Brumm (Buying the Farm), and Kyle Claeys (Galatea, Shakespeare BASH’d, Comedy Bar Danforth) — a newcomer to the Globus Theatre stage.
As the audience is seated cabaret style for a buffet dinner featuring cuisine from all three host countries, the fun-filled night of camaraderie and intrigue will begin. Everyone has an opportunity to get involved and turn detective to help solve the murder mystery, or they can ust sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
“As an avid soccer fan, I’ve loved watching how the World Cup brings people together across Canada’s wonderfully diverse communities,” Quick says. “We’re excited to give audiences a chance to celebrate the energy of the 2026 World Cup while enjoying an evening full of laughs, surprises, and a little patriotic spirit.”
Murder at the Match: 2026 World Cup Edition runs Thursdays to Saturdays from June 25 to 27 and from July 2 to 4 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), with a 12:30 p.m. matinee performance on June 27 (doors open at noon).
Tickets for dinner and the show are $100 plus HST and fees, and are available online at www.globustheatre.com or by calling the box office at 705-738-2037. Call the box office for information on group bookings.
