The biggest football tournament is almost here – as close to 50 international teams compete against each other to take home the coveted World Cup 2026 trophy.
This year, the event will be taking place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19. Marking the first time the tournament – which has been held every four years since 1930 – has been hosted by three nations, it will also become the first World Cup to feature 48 teams – up from the previous 32.
For those praying that England will bring it home, their first match will take place against Croatia at 9pm on June 17. They’ll be back with matches against Ghana and Panama on June 23 and 27 for a chance to then make it into the quarter-finals.
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Led by captain Harry Kane, England’s selection was recently unveiled with Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Marcus Rashford all making their third World Cup appearance. Jordan Henderson will be appearing in England’s squad for a fourth time – equalling the record number of appearances in the squad first achieved by Sir Bobby Charlton.
Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka will all be at their second World Cup, while there will be first appearances for EURO 2024 squad members Dean Henderson, Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Reece James.
Nine players – James Trafford, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence, Dan Burn, Jarell Quansah, Elliot Anderson, Noni Madueke and Morgan Rogers – will be making their senior tournament bow. Following their warm-up fixtures, the squad will be setting up at their tournament base in Kansas City this Saturday (June 13).
Of course, for most fans of the World Cup, watching the action unfold on a big screen surrounded by their fellow supporters is considered to be one of the best ways to enjoy the World Cup and, thankfully, Greater Manchester understands the assignment. There will be after-parties, takeovers, freebies, and all sorts of celebrations on the road to bringing it home for England.
Here’s just some of the many venues hosting World Cup screenings across Greater Manchester for the World Cup 2026 and how you can get on down. As always, check the finer details with each venue as things can – and often will – change at short notice.
The Grosvenor
It’s a bold claim, but The Grosvenor has said they’ll be home to one of Manchester’s biggest England World Cup fanzones this year.
There will be giant screens and every time England hits the back of the net, fans inside the venue can celebrate with a complimentary Fireball shot on the house. Not only that but there will be England wigs, St George’s glasses, foam hands, and more matchday merch to amp up the fun with.
A small number of free early bird tickets and £3 tickets will be available, with general tickets priced at £7 including a drink of choice. More details here.
House of Social
With five kitchens all raring to go and the drinks flowing throughout, Deansgate spot House of Social will be screening every match of the World Cup. In addition, they’ll also be hosting pre-parties on its terrace for all night games with the guys at Casamigos.
Tickets start from £15 per person for Mezzanine Standing whilst table spots, which include a reserved seat, one drink, and a food token, will cost £30 per person for between six to 12 guests. Bookings and more information here.
The Station Hotel
Over in Altrincham, popular pub The Station Hotel has promised to ‘bring serious tournament energy’ for England’s World Cup games. There will be darts and pool to keep the entertainment going before kick off, during half-time and after the final whistle, whilst the recently-revamped venue will be showing all the action as it happens on the big screen.
If the weather’s good, their standout Casamigos Terrace will also feature a large outdoor screen for the ultimate al fresco viewing experience. The action begins for England’s first match on June 17 and continues throughout. No bookings required, it’s walk-in’s only but fans are encouraged to arrive early to guarantee a spot.
Motley
For something a little different, Deansgate venue Motley will be serving up a bottle of Budweiser alongside their eight-hour Slow Smoked Beef Brisket for just £20 between June 11 and July 19.
It’ll also be screening all games kicking off before midnight, with Budweiser beer buckets available for fans to wear in style. They will also be offering five bottles of Budweiser for £20 during each of the screened matches. Bookings can be made here.
Courts Club
With the biggest outdoor screen in the city, Courts Club in St John’s will be the ultimate place for the summer of sports. They’ll also have a large indoor screen, as well as pre-match quizzes, Bocce ball competitions, and a half-time and full time Aperidisco from Aperol featuring DJs, entertainment and giveaways.
There are no table reservations – it’s first come, first served – but you will need to buy general admission tickets for all England group matches. Tickets start from £6.13 with booking fee here.
Zouk Tea Bar & Grill
Zouk in Manchester will be offering a ‘relaxed and hospitality-led’ experience that differs from the traditional crowded sports bar atmosphere – which will be of interest to many!
With reserved seating, food, drink and table service throughout each of England’s first three games, their £29 Match Night offering features poppadoms and chutneys, any curry or biryani, a choice of Naan, rice or chips, and one drink of either a 330ml Cobra beer, selected cocktail, small house wine or soft drink. Tickets and information here.
Freight Island and Mayfield Depot
Joining forces with 4TheFans and Broadwick on a new We Are Football Festival, Freight Island and Depot Mayfield will hold claim to the ‘largest World Cup fan park in Europe’ with a total capacity for up to 15,000 fans.
It will feature the UK’s ‘biggest anti-glare screens’, an immersive sound system, DJs, live entertainment and plenty of food and drink, as well as appearances from football legends and Sky Sports presenters.
The festival will be open for all late kick-offs, with 5,000 Early Bird tickets from just £4.50 per person. In addition, the Freight Island festival will also feature competitions, giveaways, a dedicated Footy Fun Village, and family-friendly areas. Tickets here.
The Factory Floor
Over at the Cotton Works in Wigan, The Factory Floor will be hosting an ‘unforgettable match-day experience’ with all of the action on the big screen, alongside live singers and pre-match entertainment.
There will also be face painters, a choice of food and drink, and even the option to upgrade to the ultimate VIP experience. Early Bird tickets start from £7 – details here.
Society
Manchester food hall Society will be showing all England fixtures on a specially installed ‘epic’ screen – with extended opening hours until full-time – where fans could also walk away with a share of a £1,000 grand prize.
The venue has over 40 beer taps, a global street food menu, a big sound system, and a banging beer garden, and will also be hosting a fan event throughout the tournament where anyone ordering one of a select three beers can scan a code and enter their winning World Cup predictions. But, heads up, winners must be at Society during the final to claim their prize. Further details on how the tournament will work here.
Pigeon Beer Wanderer
The newest addition to Manchester’s ‘Beermuda Triangle’, Pigeon will be showing all the England games and as many other matches as they can too on their 100-inch screen. With 24 craft beers, ales and ciders on tap from breweries across the UK, Europe and USA – as well as a choice of ‘natty wines’ – there’s plenty of choice when it comes to your goal-worthy tipples. Follow on Instagram for more information.
Victoria Baths
Perhaps offering one of the most unique viewing experiences in the city, Victoria Baths will see the game screened from their historic swimming pool with the adjoining halls transformed into a food hall with plenty of street food vendors and drinks to order throughout. There will also be plenty of pre-match build-up with DJs.
Available tickets for Victory At The Baths start from £8 with discounts available if you’re booking as part of a ‘squad’. All details and ticket options here.
Trading Route
The German Lagerhouse-inspired venue, which is known for its good chicken and beer, will also be cheering on England this World Cup. Located right by Aviva Studios in the St John’s neighbourhood, fans can watch the action with tickets from £6 including a drink. Details here.
GRUB On The Docks
Over in MediaCity, GRUB On The Docks will be hosting key fixtures on the big screen, set against the backdrop of the Salford Quays waterside.
The ‘vibrant, open-air destination’ will feature street food stalls, pop-up bars and more fun throughout the tournament and will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays until the end of August. Follow on Facebook for World Cup updates.
O’Malleys
Legendary Irish bar O’Malleys, on Portland Street, will be hosting all the World Cup games across five large TV screens specifically designed for sports.
There will be fun, pints and good times with free entry – no need to book. Interesting fact, O’Malleys is the only Irish bar in Manchester to be open until 4am.
Electric Shuffle
Shuffleboard and cocktail bar Electric Shuffle, on Deansgate, will be going all-out for its World Cup offering.
Alongside private viewing screens for groups of up to 12 people, which will also include an hour of shuffleboard before kick-off, there will also be the option to reserve a table amongst the centre of all the action with a prime screen view and full table service for throughout the game. Options start from £25 per person. More details right here.
The Lawn Club
With an outdoor fan zone, The Lawn Club will also hope the weather stays in tip-top shape for the World Cup (but, don’t worry, they have indoor screens too).
Throughout England’s matches, there will be DJs, great food, cold drinks and a ‘proper matchday energy’. Tickets start from £10 which include the first drink. Details here.
Joshua Brooks
Popular nightspot Joshua Brooks will bring live DJs and the good vibes for this year’s World Cup. They’ll be showing the action across the bar and within its Clubhouse. Free standing tickets are available, but groups of six can reserve a spot with six pints for just £36 here.
Diecast
On Ducie Street, Diecast will host its World Cup Nights celebrations for 5,000 fans.
Featuring a big LED main screen alongside additional repeater screens, a purpose-built stage and professional sound and lighting production will keep the action going alongside a full two-hour pre-match live show featuring DJ sets, performers, special guests and appearances from a few football legends. Tickets and info here.
The Abbey
Opening just in time for the World Cup, The Abbey’ at Manchester Science Park in Hulme will also be screening the matches.
Formerly known as The Old Abbey Taphouse, the venue reopens at the start of June and will be hosting the tournament on the big screen with drinks specials and good vibes. Follow on Instagram for the latest details.
Dirty O’Sullivans
Irish bar Dirty O’Sullivans, set in the former Red’s True BBQ spot opposite the Town Hall, will be enjoying its first ever World Cup with flowing Guinness, entertainment, and plenty of food to keep fans hunger settled.
Better yet, the first 1,000 people to book a table will get their hands on a complimentary pint of Guinness to enjoy during a match. Bookings and more info here.
The Blues Kitchen
Screening all of England’s World Cup matches this summer, The Blues Kitchen will be celebrating the World Cup with free screenings.
Before kick-off, guests can fuel up with favourites from their Southern-inspired menu, including Buffalo Chicken Wings, Crispy Squid, Sichuan Wings, and the Smoked Brisket Dip Sandwich, whilst there’ll be a big range of cocktails, craft beers, premium spirits and wines to order behind the bar.
Following the final group-stage match against Panama on Saturday 27 June, DJs will keep the celebrations going late into the night as fans (hopefully) toast England’s place in the knockout rounds. Doors will open from 7pm, turn up early to avoid disappointment! More details here.
Stables Tavern
Popular St John’s pub Stables Tavern will be screening England’s matches with no tickets or booking required.
Shown across both rooms, front and back, there will be plenty of space to settle in and catch all of the action whilst enjoying a rotating line of beers from local breweries and guest favourites. Save room for a pie! Walk-in’s only, but it’s first come, first served.
GRUB
Speaking of GRUB On The Docks earlier, GRUB Stretford will also be celebrating the World Cup in style via their 6,000 sq ft space on the ground floor of a multi-storey car park in the town centre.
They’ll be showing the England matches with an impressive line-up of traders and entertainment. They will have the big screen, the cold pints and the good vibes – with £6 getting you guaranteed entry and a Shindigger Mango Unchained or Light Lager to watch every kick of the World Cup with. You can find details on their Instagram.
AO Arena
The Road to Victory will return to the AO Arena following previous success during the 2024 Euros and the Women’s Euros 2025. Hailed as the UK’s largest fan zone, the fully-immersive set-up at the AO Arena will feature world-class production, a curated line-up of food and drink and ‘an unrivalled matchday atmosphere’. Sign up for info here.
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