Over 1,100 football enthusiasts, fans, cultural performers and celebrities came together at Vivekananda Park for a city-wide celebration of football as excitement builds for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, streaming on Zee 5
Vivekananda Park at Southern Avenue came alive on Sunday as Zee 5 hosted a grand football carnival during the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026™ celebrations. The rally was flagged off by Dr. Indranil Khan, Minister of Youth Services & Sports, Government of West Bengal, along with other eminent personalities. Bringing together over 1,100 football enthusiasts, football fan clubs, dhakis, chau performers, cheerleaders, dancers and celebrities, the carnival-style rally celebrated Kolkata’s passion for football through a vibrant blend of sport, entertainment and local cultural expression.
Traversing key stretches across the heart of South Kolkata, the procession featured music, live performances, themed installations and team-affiliated fan zones, creating an immersive experience for participants and spectators alike. Inspired by the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the initiative transformed the city’s love for football into a shared celebration, bringing together diverse fan communities through an engaging on-ground experience that reflected both the energy of the sport and Kolkata’s rich cultural identity. The rally witnessed participation from members of various football fan clubs and artists from different segments of society, while the vibrant fusion of dhakis, chau dancers and cheerleaders created a carnival-like atmosphere across the route. The celebrations turned the streets of South Kolkata into a platform where football, Bengal’s rich cultural heritage and the city’s enduring community spirit came together.
Adding to the celebrations, celebrities Vikram Chatterjee Priyanka Sarkar Ayush Das Sushmita Roy from Taarkata and Bonny Sengupta and Angana Roy from Prem Shots joined the football carnival and interacted with fans during the rally, further adding to the excitement. The event was also attended by footballers Aloke Mukherjee, Biswajit Bhattacharya, Sangram Mukherjee, Snehasish Chockroborty, Nilava Chockroborty, Rahim Nabi and Mehtab Hosain.
Speaking about the initiative, Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, said, “At Zee 5, we wanted to celebrate the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in a way that felt authentic to Kolkata, a city where football is deeply woven into the cultural fabric. This carnival was designed to bring together fans, local traditions and entertainment in one shared celebration, creating an experience that extended beyond the screen and reflected the passion that the sport inspires. As audiences gear up for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ on Zee 5, initiatives like these allow us to engage with communities through experiences that are culturally relevant, immersive and rooted in the moments that matter most to them.”
The football carnival reflects Zee 5’s continued focus on creating high-impact experiences that extend beyond the screen. As excitement builds for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the platform continues to bring fans closer to the action through initiatives that celebrate the passion of sport, the richness of local culture and the power of shared community experiences.