Don't worry about the late kick offs, make a night of it at these venues instead...
It’s World Cup time already, which means the city is full of places to watch the beautiful game. Despite the time difference between here and host nations of USA, Canada and Mexico, with many of the matches kicking off late into the evening, plenty of venues are staying open to screen them.
From vast warehouses with a party atmosphere, to more intimate bars where you can dine while you spectate, to some frankly exceptional beer gardens.
Here’s where to go in Manchester to watch the 2026 World Cup that’ll make it worth the lack of sleep…
A huge watch party at Co-op Live
In case you’ve not heard, England are powering into the World Cup semi-finals, and one of Manchester’s biggest watch parties is lining up for the next stage of the tournament. Co-op Live will open up Vertu Place, its huge ground floor fan activation space to screen England v Argentina, and it’s set to be a massive night.
A huge open air fan zone at Castlefield Bowl
Road to Victory is returning for the final stages of the World Cup, transforming Castlefield Bowl into a huge outdoor fan zone with space for more than 9,000 supporters. The team behind previous screenings at Depot Mayfield and AO Arena will bring back its large-scale production, with a giant screen, live DJs, entertainment, bars and its famous pre-match show. England’s semi-final and, should they make it through, the final will both be screened, with doors opening early for a full festival-style build-up before kick-off.
A Flannels takeover at a Deansgate pub
The Bear on Deansgate is keeping its Flannels takeover in place for England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina, turning the pub into The Flannels Arms for another huge night of football. Expect big-screen coverage, live entertainment, pre-match build-up, cold pints and classic British pub food, with the party carrying on after the final whistle. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so getting down early is probably the safest move. Whatever the result, they’ll be open for the final too.
Darts, shuffleboard and food offers at Black Cat Club
Black Cat Club has it all going on this summer, with giant screens, football-inspired food and drink specials, and plenty of interactive gaming alongside every England match. Highlights include a limited-edition 1966 Menu featuring burgers, pints, small plates and pitchers all priced at £19.66, plus new screens in the gaming areas so you can keep one eye on the football while taking on friends at darts and shuffle.
Sun trap terraces and happy hours at Nell’s
NYC slice and pie spot Nell’s are going all in for England’s World Cup run, showing every game live with no tickets, no faff, and the full summer football ritual in motion. Expect live music, happy hour before kick-off, pints and of course pizza. Could it really be that strangest of things, national optimism? If your group is over seven, you should book, if not just walk on in.
A boozy, underground vault at Refuge
A dedicated late-night fan sanctuary is opening for England’s World Cup run – it’s underground in Refuge’s vault. There’ll be big-screen action, Manchester Union pints, pie and chips, and a guaranteed spot away from the city centre chaos. Entry is free, with the first 50 fans to sign up getting a free pint on arrival.
Concert-sized screenings at DJs at The Blues Kitchen
The Blues Kitchen is showing every England fixture and the World Cup final inside its majestic Concert Hall this summer, with a mix of seated and standing viewing on a walk-in basis. Expect Southern-inspired comfort food, plenty of drinks and post-match DJs after the Panama game as England’s World Cup campaign (hopefully) gets into full swing.
Celebrity hosts and high energy screenings at Diecast
A vast indoor and outdoor space near Piccadilly, Diecast is going all in for the World Cup with a series of huge matchday events built around England’s tournament run. Every game will be preceded by a two-hour pre-match show featuring celebrity hosts, England legends, DJs, live performances, quizzes, competitions and street food, before fans settle in to watch the action on massive screens. If you’re after more than just a pub showing the football, Diecast is exactly that.
Europe’s biggest fan park at Freight Island
Freight Island, Depot Mayfield and 4theFans are joining forces for We Are Football Festival 2026, a huge World Cup takeover following England’s journey from the first whistle to the final. Expect giant screens, live DJs, England legends, Sky Sports presenters, food, bars and thousands of fans – the result being a stadium-scale party like nothing else in town.
Sweepstake and a giant screen at Society
Society is screening every England game, plus the knockout stages and final, on a giant screen in Barbirolli Square this summer. Alongside more than 40 craft beer taps and a stacked street food lineup, you can can enter a £1,000 sweepstake, with the winning team’s supporters sharing a huge bar tab prize at the end of the tournament. Just make sure to attend the final at Society to redeem.
Private viewing screens at Electric Shuffle
Electric Shuffle is going all-in for the FIFA World Cup, transforming its high-tech shuffleboard bar into one of the city’s most entertaining places to catch the tournament. Groups can book private viewing screens with an hour of shuffleboard before kick-off, while those after a livelier atmosphere can grab reserved tables in the heart of the action. With fully redeemable deposits, big screens throughout the venue and food and drinks delivered straight to your table, it’s a viewing experience that goes well beyond the standard matchday pub setup.
Entertainment, gaming and an afterparty at Factory Floor
Factory Floor, Wigan’s expansive new gaming bar, is going big for the World Cup. They’ll be screening the action on big screens with doors open from 6pm, giving everyone plenty of time to get into it before the 9pm kick-off. Expect a proper pre-match build-up with live singers, entertainment, face painters, food, a free drink on arrival and the kind of atmosphere you want when tournament fever properly takes over. There’s also a VIP upgrade option if you’re making a full night of it.
Huge fanzone at The Grosvenor
The Grosvenor is going all-in for the World Cup, transforming into a dedicated England fanzone complete with giant screens, DJs, matchday anthems and a packed tournament atmosphere for every Three Lions game. Every England goal means a complimentary Fireball shot for fans inside, alongside giveaways including England wigs, St George’s glasses, foam hands and plenty of matchday merch. Expect one of the city’s most energetic spots to watch the tournament this summer.
Three al fresco spots in St John’s
Three venues across Spinningfields and St Johns are getting ready for a full summer of football, with Courts Club, The Lawn Club and Stables Tavern all showing the big games in their own way. Courts Club is going full fanzone with the city’s biggest outdoor screen, Bocce competitions, Aperol-fuelled half-time discos and street food from The Dugout, while The Lawn Club brings outdoor screens, DJs, drinks and proper Spinningfields matchday energy. Stables Tavern over in St Johns keeps it traditional, with walk-ins, pies, pints, local beers and England games shown across both rooms.
Terrace vibes at Altrincham’s The Station
The Station is going all in for England’s World Cup campaign, with wall-to-wall football, darts, pool tables and a big outdoor screen on the Casamigos Terrace for al fresco matchday viewing. Expect cold drinks, long summer evenings and loads of atmosphere right in the heart of Altrincham. No need to book, it’s walk-ins only.
Arena-sized screenings with Road to Victory
Road To Victory is back for World Cup 2026, transforming the AO Arena into a giant football spectacle for the summer. Expect huge screens, thousands of fans, world-class production, live entertainment, food and drink offers, and all the drama of the tournament played out in front of one of the biggest matchday crowds outside the stadium itself. It’s set to be one of Manchester’s biggest places to watch the World Cup unfold.
Football-themed playground at Printworks
Printworks is turning the Pumpyard into a football-themed playground across three Saturdays this June, with free activities including Football Rodeo, Human Table Football, Football Darts, Subsoccer and an Inflatable Football Shootout. Visitors can also upload their photo to appear on the giant digital screen wearing an England shirt, making it a fun way for families and football fans alike to get into the World Cup spirit.
Food hall viewing at House of Social
Forget cramming into a packed beer garden – England’s World Cup campaign is being shown live at House of Social with big screens, plenty of food and drink from across their top-class kitchens, and a glimmer of hope. Book ahead for standing tickets with a drink included, or go VIP for reserved upstairs seating, a drink and a £15 food token to spend across the kitchens.
The Budweiser Tap Room at Cane & Grain
The Budweiser Tap Room is landing on Thomas Street just in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026, bringing cold beers, big screens and a walk-in fan zone setup for the opening game. No bookings, no faff, just roll up to Cane & Grain, grab a pint and settle in for the start of a very big summer of football.
Frozen margs and margheritas at Crazy Pedro’s
At both Crazy Pedro’s locations are getting involved in the World Cup. There’ll be frozen margaritas, cold beers and margheritas flying out, whether you’re heading to Bridge Street or the Northern Quarter. Plus, you can take advantage of happy hour prices during all England and Mexico games.
Outrageous sharing platters at GOAT
Nantwich’s premier sports bar GOAT is all set for the World Cup. Of course there’ll be loads of coverage, as well as things to do like interactive darts booths. The most exciting addition to their offering is the outrageous World Cup platter, laden with various smash burgers, wings, spice bags – enough to feed, aptly enough, a small football team for £50.
Independent food vendors and fan park vibes at Glossop Market Hall
Glossop Market Hall is becoming the town’s own World Cup fan park this summer, with a massive five-metre screen, full audio, seating for more than 400 people, food vendors serving specials throughout the games, pre-match drinks on the terrace and you can even pick yourself up a vintage England shirt from Moda Vintage. Tables seat up to 10 and cost £50, so it works out at a fiver each to get your spot sorted.
Pitchers, cocktails and food specials at Bunny Jackson’s
England’s World Cup run is being shown live on the big screen at Bunny Jackson’s, with £20 four-pint pitchers, and loads of World Cup food specials like limited-run wings, burgers and poutine and cocktails made for the occasion. It’s walk-in only, so get down early to secure your spot.
Huge projectors and pan-Asian bites at Hello Oriental
Hello Oriental is turning its Circle Square events space into a full World Cup screening spot, with huge projector screens, immersive sound and a menu that’s ideal for group match days. Expect Korean fried chicken, bao, dim sum, noodles, loaded katsu fries, bubble tea, cocktails, soju and selected fixtures throughout the tournament, from England games to the knockout stages and final.
Interactive gaming and pre-match drinks at Gameface
Gameface is launching the Gameface Cup alongside the World Cup, inviting players to compete for the highest scores across its 10 exclusive games throughout the tournament. With weekly winners and losers crowned, leaderboards shared on social media, and plenty of bragging rights up for grabs, it’s adding a football-style league table to an already competitive experience.
Loyalty cards and cash prizes at The Quarter House
A new World Cup loyalty card at The Quarter House on Stevenson Square is rewarding England fans for showing up throughout the tournament. Collect stamps at every England match, earn a free pint after three games, another after five, and if you make it through all eight potential fixtures you’ll get a third free pint and entry into a £500 cash prize draw. The offer is also redeemable at sister venue The Fitzgerald.
Laid-back luxury viewing at Studio IV at Mollie’s Manchester
Studio IV is going all in for the World Cup this summer, showing 19 fixtures across six weeks with big screens, bucket beers, plenty of food and a tempting offering even if you’re not drinking. This is expected to be popular, so booking is very much recommended.
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