Wednesday's watch party at San Pedro Square ran from Switzerland-Canada all the way through Mexico-Czechia, with devoted fans arriving seven-plus hours early to hold screen-side seats — and Brazil clinching their knockout berth in the afternoon to warm up the crowd.

San Pedro Square ran as an all-day block party Wednesday, cycling through four World Cup matches before the crowd that matters most in downtown San Jose: Mexico versus Czechia, kickoff 6 p.m., June 24.

The venue is free and open — 87 N. San Pedro St., San Jose, no cover charge for all 104 tournament matches — and the day's lineup built steadily from Switzerland-Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina-Qatar before Brazil clinched their knockout berth against Scotland in the afternoon. By the time Mexico fans took over the screens, the square was already loud.

The new fourth outdoor screen, added last week and stretching the footprint north toward St. James Street, gave the venue noticeably more room than it had during the 1 a.m. Mexico-South Korea game that overwhelmed the original setup. Walk-up access was possible Wednesday evening, per on-the-ground reporting from NBC Bay Area — but the front-row contingent had done the math: Marianna Montenegro arrived with her family at 10:30 a.m. to lock in a screen-side seat for the 6 p.m. kickoff. "People are still able to get in," she said, "even though the crowd is very loud and very energetic."

Mexico has already clinched the knockout round, making the Czechia result a group-stage formality. That seemed only to loosen the mood. One vendor told NBC Bay Area that adult Mexico apparel sold out at the square within the first week of the tournament; kids' sizes went by week two.

For Mexico's next game — their knockout-round match is ahead — Wednesday's scene is the model: show up for the game on the card before yours if you want a real seat. If standing is fine, walk-up works. VTA Light Rail to the Convention Center station (two blocks south) is the cleaner call. The Almaden garage at 175 Almaden Blvd is the backup if you're driving in.