Beer-pizza hockey game broadcast held in Canadian Catholic cathedral
At St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, a screening of a Montreal Canadiens game featured immersive projections, organ music, the national anthem, and alcohol sales.
On April 19, 2026, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Cathedral in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, hosted a public screening of the NHL playoff game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The event was organized by La Cargaison, a professional group of artists, as an “immersive experience.” The game was shown live on a giant screen about 10.5 meters high, installed in the center of the nave, while the cathedral’s walls and architecture were used for immersive projections.
According to the organizers, the cathedral’s resident organist played the organ during the broadcast. One unusual feature of the event was that every time the Canadiens scored, the cathedral bell tower was illuminated. At those moments, spectators jumped from their seats, shouted loudly, and celebrated.
Pizza, chips, and drinks – including Lagabière beer – were sold on church premises during the screening. Admission was paid.
The cathedral belongs to the Diocese of Saint-Jean-Longueuil, currently headed by Bishop Claude Hamelin. According to the report, La Cargaison regularly stages various secular “immersive” events in the cathedral, with a musical show dedicated to The Beatles planned next.
On their web site, they advertised the event as follows:
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a song-and-dance ensemble had performed in the Refectory Church of the Kyiv Caves Lavra.
