Where to watch the 2026 World Cup around D.C.
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D.C.'s soccer scene is going into overdrive for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with massive outdoor watch parties, beer gardens and rooftop bars turning into fan hubs across the region.
Why it matters: Washington lost its bid to host World Cup matches, but the region's deep soccer culture, international identity and large expat communities mean few U.S. cities will feel the tournament more intensely.
Looking for watch parties and embassy activations by country? See our guide.
Major watch hubs
The National Mall
D.C. will host a huge FIFA World Cup Fan Zone on the National Mall starting June 11 — tying one of the world's biggest sporting events to America's 250th birthday celebration.
- The activation near the Capitol will run through all World Cup games (July 19) and feature live match screenings, interactive exhibits, food, live music, cultural programming and youth activities.
- All Team USA matches will be shown regardless of kickoff time, along with every knockout-round game.
Franklin Park
D.C. United is hosting two major watch events through the "United in Play Soccer Celebration" coming to Franklin Park in Downtown D.C. (June 12-14) and Navy Yard's Tingey Plaza (June 19–21).
- The family-friendly events will feature youth soccer activities, local food vendors, music and more.
- Matches will air live alongside programming celebrating the city's soccer culture and global communities.
- Admission is free with advance registration.
NoMa
Wunder Garten and Volo Sports are teaming up to create one of the city's largest World Cup watch party destinations.
- The Shaw beer garden plans more than 75 activations through July 19, starting with USA vs. Senegal (May 31) and USA vs. Germany (June 6).
- Expect giant indoor and outdoor screenings, themed entertainment, giveaways, fan competitions and specialty international brews.
- Watch parties are free and open to the public.
Union Market District
Hi-Lawn atop Union Market will transform into a World Cup hub with a turf soccer pitch, giant LED screens and space for up to 1,000 fans — plus soccer-themed trivia, DJs and more entertainment.
- They're kicking things off with a free, four-day rooftop party (June 11-14) with games, DJ sets and activities throughout the weekend.
- It's kid-friendly during daytime hours. Free admission with reservations available.
For Latin American countries, La Cosecha marketplace will have all the action with large-screen viewing experiences, themed pop-ups and tournament specials — plus plenty of tacos, arepas, pupusas and Latin drinks to match.
More into playing soccer than watching? Guerrilla FC presents The Yard, a turf across from Union Market that will host open pickup sessions, 3v3 gameplay, community tournaments, music and cold drinks throughout the tournament.
- It's free to participate, no tickets needed.
The Wharf
The waterfront neighborhood is hosting a FIFA World Cup Watch Zone from June 11 through July 19, turning Pearl Street into an open-air soccer hub with daily match screenings on a 14-foot jumbotron.
- Team USA watch parties on June 12 and June 19 will feature giveaways, games and fan activations, with patio and rooftop viewing options available throughout the neighborhood.
Tysons
Shipgarten — the huge beer garden, dog and family-friendly — is setting itself up as a watch party destination in NoVa with room for 1,000+ viewers, 2 massive LED walls, indoor and outdoor projectors and free parking and shuttle service.
- They're also planning country-specific entertainment, including DJs before and after games for Iran, Colombia, Brazil, Ghana and more, as well as live cultural performances like Brazilian Pagode music.
Copa Tysons is organizing events throughout the neighborhood, including rooftop watch parties at the huge Starr Hill Biergarten, restaurant and bar specials, and more.
Meanwhile, the Boro is hosting a free World Cup party (June 27) with soccer play zones for all ages, global eats and more.
World Cup bars
Every bar with a TV will likely be showing World Cup — these places kick things up a level with viewing parties, themed specials and more.
- Hall Pass (Chinatown): The beer hall is becoming "Global Matchday HQ," featuring every tournament match, including country-themed viewing parties, international beers and street food-inspired menus. USA opener festivities begin June 12.
- Penn Social (Penn Quarter): The massive sports bar is kicking off with Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 opening day, and plans to show marquee matches throughout the tournament.
- Lucky Bar (Dupont): The longtime soccer bar will host several USA watch parties, starting with USA vs. Australia.
- Elephant & Castle (Downtown): The popular soccer bar plans to show a full roster of World Cup games, starting with Mexico vs. South Africa (June 11). Reservations available.
- Metrobar (Edgewood): The outdoor venue near Rhode Island Ave, NE plans Team USA watch parties on its 20-foot screen with cocktails, beers and pizza specials.
- Boundary Stone (Bloomingdale): The Bloomingdale pub will show the full tournament schedule with $6 local drafts during matches.
- Station 4 (Southwest Waterfront): Go for a variety of matches on four big screens alongside food and drink specials, starting June 11. Free RSVP
- Public Bar Live (Dupont): The sports bar plans to open early for World Cup games.
- Immigrant Food: Ballston and White House locations will stream matches and offer the $13 "World Cup Combo," featuring Greek wings and a beer.
- Tom's Watch Bar (National Harbor, Navy Yard): The massive sports bar plans tournament-long viewing events across its wall-to-wall screens.
- Shipgarten (Tysons): The sprawling outdoor beer garden is hosting tournament watch parties and themed events throughout the World Cup — plus a "passport challenge."
- BOE (Clarendon): The country bar is branding itself "America's Home Bar for the World Cup," with Team USA parties, DJs, drink specials and, of course, stars-and-stripes shots.
- Over/Under Sports Bar (Mount Vernon Triangle): The rooftop sports bar is hosting World Cup watch parties with wall-to-wall TVs, game sound and all-day drink specials, including a Brazil vs. Morocco viewing party on June 13.
- Sport & Social (U Street): The venue plans to show tournament matches while its Upstate FTW kitchen rolls out World Cup-inspired dishes themed around host countries, including birria tacos, shrimp siu mai and disco fries.
- Hook Hall (Park View): Hook Hall is rebranding as "World Cup Bar DC," showing every match on its giant 20-foot screen and TVs throughout the venue. Tickets start at $19.99 and include themed food and cocktails around the countries playing.
- Astro Beer Hall (Downtown, Shirlington): The beer hall is celebrating the tournament with $5 wings and $5 loaded nachos with the purchase of a drink, plus match screenings throughout both locations (the D.C. one is close to the Mall's FIFA fan zone).
- Shaw's Tavern (Shaw): The neighborhood bar is showing every World Cup match and hosting USA watch parties throughout the group stage. Drink specials include $12 crushes and $25 beer pitchers.
- El Chucho (Columbia Heights): The Mexican bar and restaurant is showing all 104 games — including early and late matches — with specials like $10 margs and $15 taco platters.
- Atlas Brew Works is playing matches and offering specials at all locations (Alexandria, Bridge District, Navy Yard) with $6 pints of its gold medal-winning beers.
- Ned Devine's (Herndon): The pub is turning into a NoVa World Cup headquarters with 35 HDTVs throughout the bar — including the outdoor patio — playing with full sound, and global food and drink specials to match the teams.
- Ivy and Coney (Shaw): The sports dive is showing all matches during regular hours — with hot dogs and malort — and opening early for USA vs. Australia (June 19) and England (June 17 and 23).
- The Green Zone (Adams Morgan): The Middle Eastern cocktail bar is showing games and serving specialty drinks representative of the 10 Middle East and North African countries competing, including non-alcoholic options.
- Duke's Grocery (all locations): While the pubs are official homes for England and Scotland supporters, they're showing all matches with sound, hosting a daily happy hour (12-7pm) and boasting both indoor and outdoor TVs at many locations.
- Problem Child (Navy Yard): The bar is playing all matches with sound on 14 big screens with a full slate of activations and specials, including beer boot strength competitions, soccer juggling, $5 Jello shots and more.
Don't see your favorite World Cup bar? Email [email protected]
This is a developing list. Check back for updates.