We will be in the UK in late June, including for two of England’s matches in the first round of the World Cup. We would love to watch a match with English fans. What would be the best place? Are there sports bars in the UK? Would pubs show the matches?

Plenty of Sports bars in the U.K. will be showing the World Cup.

You might try an Irish bar - they are usually good for sport.

It will be on in every pub in the country more or less - you won't need to find an Irish bar. I imagine the Irish would not be rooting for England either, so that's something to bear in mind.

I would say De Hems, but the Dutch are not playing

Here is a schedule of UK match broadcasts on two networks. Undoubtedly your hotel staff will be able to point out TV pubs in your vicinity. Especially in London, it should be possible to find pubs catering to tourists/immigrants/expats from many of the participating nations.A lot of pub staff, now, will be from someplace else too.

Live 2018 World Cup On TV Schedule

Assuming CarolineTO is either American or Canadian, and thanks to the colossal fail in Trinidad last November, she doesn't qualify as a tourist "from [one] of the participating nations." If she's wanting to cheer on Mother England's side, she probably won't be able to avoid a pub or bar with the match on.

You don't seem to understand Irish pubs in the U.K. and throughout Europe.

They are not full of Irish people with any " problems", but are enjoyed by everyone, so there is no issue of watching England playing in the World Cup in an Irish bar.

My suggestion was because the atmosphere, the " craic" is often very good in many Irish bars.

I'm British so I do know a bit about pubs. In England, irish ones are usually bloody awful themed places full of shamrock tat.

"In England, irish ones are usually bloody awful themed places full of shamrock tat."

That comment applies beyond England.

>> Are there sports bars in the UK? Would pubs show the matches?<<

OK - How common is it to find the SuperBowl showing in pubs/bars/restaurants in the States? Multiply that 5 fold.

Interesting comments about Irish pubs.


In the last three weeks I have been in Irish pubs in Nice, Rome and Siena and none of them were like the description of them stated above.

In an effort to overthink this, I will point out that England’s first two matches should be easy victories, though of course you never know with England. That will make what seems like the best match against Belgium on the 28th a nothing game with the two teams kicking the ball around the pitch with no particular purpose in mind. I’ve been to such games. Not that the patrons in the pub will mind but a little urgency does add to the excitement.

If you can, go to the pub for the knockout phase on July 2 or 3rd. That’s when people will be suitably emotional. Watch out for flying glass.

Where would Belgians in England go to see the match - any pubs full of opposing teams? Or do they just go in and be wallflowers?

Wonder if they have any outdoor big screens set up like for other World Cups in various cities?

Manchester will certainly have big outdoor screens set up for the World Cup in Exchange Square for example. should be excellent, weather permitting!

" We would love to watch a match with English fans. "
No you wouldn't, they're generally appalling.
And before everybody leaps up to critisize, I'm English and a football fan who has been lucky enough to watch many international games, including at a World cup, and including England.

There is something distinctly nasty about a bunch of Englishmen watching their national team. It brings out every nasty trait and bigotted behaviour. I don't understand it.
I've travelled with the mass ranks of Scotland fans - kilts everywhere - and after a little "pantomime villain" banter (me being English), it was great.
I've partied with Dutch fans - I think I got home at 5am, and my hangover lasted days.
Germans, French, Italians, Argentines, Mexicans - all really affable and friendly - but the English - huddled in little corners, singing songs about WWII and no surrender to the IRA - no thank you.

English fans as neutrals watching other teams - no problem

The Belgians are not like the Dutch, who turn out in orange to watch the games wherever they are.
Now that the Dutch are out, many of them are supporting the Belgians, so perhaps Dutch pub De Hems would be a good spot after all.

So it's be fine after the first rounds when we've been knocked out: