Strap in folks – it’s nearly time for another major, nail-biting international football competition. After four years of waiting, the World Cup is back, baby.
The month-long carnival of heroic performances, career-defining cock-ups, and TV camera cutaways to fans on the edge of euphoria (or despair) will take places in stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the United States from June. In 2022, England reached the quarter finals, only to get knocked out by France. Do we have a better chance of going all the way this time around? Well, we don’t want to get our hopes up but bookies have the Three Lions among the top five favourites to come out on top in 2026.
Practically every pub and bar in London will be getting in on the action and vying for your attendance during the World Cup’s biggest games (some of which will be kicking off as late as 5am BST). However, we’ve whittled it down to the places that offer the best atmosphere and the best view of the screen, wherever you station yourself. All you have to do is turn up, quickly google the offside rule and watch the action unfold.
RECOMMENDED: The best football pubs in London.
At the moment we only know the dates for England’s first three group stage matches. The Three Lions’ first fixture of the tournament is on Wednesday June 17 at 9pm BST against Crotia. Then, they’ll take on Ghana on Tuesday June 23 at 9pm and play against Panama on Saturday June 27 at 10pm.
Once again, World Cup coverage is split between BBC Sport and ITV. England’s games against Croatia and Panama will be shown on ITV while its Ghana game will be broadcast on BBC.
Box-to-box action is the order of the day at the Shoreditch and Croydon branches of the shipping container constructed sites. Both will be projecting all of the action in their main event spaces (outdoor at Boxpark Shoreditch, and a covered outdoor space at Boxpark Croydon), and you can even reserve a space ahead of each game. Book your spot here.
Huge outdoor screen (with heaters) if there’s some rare winter sun? Tick. Multiple indoor screens if there isn’t? Double tick. Borough’s Flat Iron Square has a back-up plan whatever the circumstances this World Cup – let’s just hope we can say the same for the England team. Find out more here.
Catch the games at the massive beer garden while chowing down on Wagyu Burger or French Tacos. Vauxhall Food & Beer Garden will show every single World Cup match, not just the England ones, on one of its three massive LED screens. Two huge bars mean there’ll be plenty of beer to go round, for celebrations or commiserations.
The urban garden hangout near London Bridge will be showing all the England games on its huge alfresco screen, now with heating a covering so you can stay cosy this winter season. There will be Bacardi-based cocktails and slices from Bad Boy Pizza Society to keep you fuelled for all the cheering. Vinegar Yard.
The immersive western-themed park will be hosting a stand alone fanzone for viewing England’s matches on November 25 and 29. The LGBTQ+ owned and run venue has created a safe and inclusive space for all people to enjoy the footy and share the love. A £12 ticket will get you a free drink, plus there’ll be drag queens at half-time.
This World Cup, Budweiser are bringing a brand new party where you can actually watch the football in a nightclub. Fans can two-step to DJs like Joel Corry while the England games blare on giant LED screens with 4D audio. And there'll be guest appearances from England football legends David Seaman and Fara Williams. Book here.
This cavernous beer hall, formerly known as Truman's Social Club, was billed as ‘the UK’s biggest’ when it opened in 2020, so it should be spacious enough to pack in plenty of screaming football fans. The east London hangout will be showing the all the matches on its ‘big screen’. 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL. Entry free.
South-west London’s red-brick party palace is screening all the England World Cup matches on its massive 25ft cinema screen. To get you well and truly in the sporting spirit, there’ll be buckets of beer, the venue’s famed ‘Hot Beige’ food selection available and DJs soundtracking the matches with fan anthems. Clapham Grand, SW11 1TT, £5.
The three-storey Wapping space is home to ostensibly the UK's biggest sports bar. It will be screening matches to over 20,000 guests throughout the World Cup. The rooftop area also offers great views of London’s skyline, so at least there’s something nice to look at if you can’t handle watching penalty shoot outs. Book your spot here.
If you’d rather not spend the World Cup being jostled by crowds and pelted with plastic beer glasses, book a booth at the O2’s football and dining experience (supposedly the world’s first immersive gaming restaurant). You’ll be able to watch the match on your own private screen and get food and drink delivered directly to you. Win or lose, you can unleash all that pent-up post-game anxiety by having a go at striking yourself on one of the flashy games. The O2. Book in advance.
Inspired by the flamboyant style of its namesake, iconic Colombian football star Carlos Valderrama, this is a bar that shows sport but that promises to be much more than your average sports bar. Watch the Euros surrounded by a retro interior painted with specially commissioned murals while snacking on tasty chicken dishes from chef James Cochran (of 12:51 fame) and sipping Frozen Margaritas. In Cochran’s words: ‘This is a game-changer. It’s a sports bar, but we’re inclusive – there’s no discrimination here, just good drinks, great food and an amazing atmosphere.’ *Chef’s kiss*. 163 Upper St, N1.
Head to Westfield Stratford City for a humongous choice of places to watch the big game: there are a whopping 23 screens to choose from. Plus, if you’re inspired to get active after all that footie watching, there’s ample opportunity to have some ball-based fun at the venue’s five ping-pong tables. Bat & Ball.
This Shoreditch High Street bar and café is the sister venue to the popular Clerkenwell haunt, Café Kick. It'll be showing the games across 4k screens across two floors. And if we lose, take out your aggression on one of many the foosball tables. Book here.
Yes, you can watch the world cup at the infamous home of sticky floors and nightclub aquariums, Infernos in Clapham. The G.O.A.T. World Cup pop-up will have a massive screen, football decor and a brass band belting out football anthems. We expect it to be carnage. Book here.
POW Brixton is showing all the England fixtures, plus the semis and final. The iconic south London venue will transform its club space into a screening room, with a massive 2x3m LED screen. Book here.
The club will be screening England matches at all three of its venues in Shoreditch, Camden and Brixton. Expect southern barbecue eats and the Blues Kitchen's signature soul band performing some of your fave footy anthems, with a twist. Sweet Caroline, anyone?
One for the foodies, Arcade Food Hall will show all the matches throughout the tournament on six big screens. You can splash out on the World Cup Menu (£45pp) which includes smash burgers, shawarma wraps and waffle fries, or book the Games Room for you and up to 40 pals – that's big enough to fit the England squad almost twice over. Book here.
A ticket to any World Cup match at Pizza Pilgrims might set you back £45, but it will include bottomless Neopolitan pizza. HD screens will be set up at the Liverpool Street, West India Quay, Hyde Park, and Camden branches of the restaurant. You can get up to six on a table and everyone has a guaranteed view. Scream at the players through cheesy mouthfuls of some of the best pizza in town. Book here.
Ensure you get a beer-y good view of all the missed penalties, fouls and inevitable tears at the massive 500-capacity beer hall which will have at least 10 screens. Sip crafties – there'll be some limited edition ones on offer – as you watch the Three Lions (hopefully) bring it home.
There'll be bookable fan zones, huge HD screens and beer kegs on every table at Market Halls, guaranteeing you only top vibes if you decide to watch the footy at either the Oxford Street or Canary Wharf venues. But that's not the best bit, if England win, you'll be able to cop 100 pints for £1, and DJs will carry on the party late into the night. Book here.
A combo we didn't think we'd see... cabaret and football. Cabaret clubs Proud City and Proud Camden will be showing the matches on big screens at two of their London venues. Tickets start at £39 and include food and arrival drinks. Fabulous! Book here.
Everyone's favourite Rye Lane multi-storey car park will show all the matches live on level 6. You can book in advance and there's space for walk-ins. There are also special offers for cheap scran from vendors 081 Pizzeria and Boxwallah. Grab a £4 pint or a £5 Duppy Punch and settle in for a tense night of goals, penalties and red cards. Book here.
If you're looking for a proper pub to watch the action in central or west London, The George in Fitzrovia and The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea will be screening the games. Slightly more sophisticated than some of the rowdier options, footy fans can book a table in the dining room and enjoy a set menu or feast menu while they wince at all the missed goals and fouls. Bookings open from November 21.
The futuristic cloud-shaped building in Greenwich will turn the upper-floor terrace into a dedicated fan zone for the competition. Forking out for a ticket will guarantee you a seat with a vantage of the screens. DJ sets, a 'Beat the Keeper' game and food from the global street vendors will keep fans sustained throughout the nail-biting and beer-throwing.
Big Chill King’s Cross and Big Chill Brick Lane will put up big tellies in both bars for fans to cheer on the three lions. During lunchtime games, punters are invited to WFB (work from bar), just try not to drink too many Portobello Pilsners (you can get 20 cans for £85).
The new 8,500 sq ft restaurant and bar in London Bridge will have numerous screens across its two floors showing all the action. There'll also be a DJ on hand to curate vibes whether England win or lose.
Forget lager, this World Cup sophisticated football fans can drinks cocktails and prosecco at Beetle Juice Brixton as they watch out lads attempt to bring it home. There will still be beers for sale, and free popcorn. The tropical surroundings and pink VW campervans will transport you away from deary old England and for all you last-minute planners who forgot to book, this one's walk-ins only.
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