As a football fan, watching the World Cup in London is just about as good as you’re going to get it without making it to a match yourself. There’s nothing with more of a buzz about it than a great British boozer filled with sports fanatics getting behind their team, and the capital puts on a show when it comes to sporting events, no matter how big or small.
Some may argue that the World Cup is football’s biggest sporting fixture, only rolling around every four years, and bringing with it a whole load of hype. It’s a chance for global teams to get together and see who has been putting in the training behind the scenes for the past 1460 days. If you’re a fan of one of the home nations, it might mean near-certain heartbreak, but you can’t knock the good people of the UK for their optimism and enthusiasm.
There has of course been controversy this year, with the tournament held in Qatar. With that, many have decided against going to watch the matches in real life, and instead have plumped for supporting their team from afar. There's another big difference to the celebrations this year. While usually the competition is held in the summer (cue outdoor screens and parks filled with supporters), for 2022 the tournament falls in the winter. The heat in Qatar during the summer makes it a no-go for sports competition, but what does that mean for World Cup parties? Well, this year in London you'll find all the usual fan zones as well as plenty of cosy options like heated garden huts and beer halls that are perfect for hunkering down in with a group of friends.
The thing about the capital is that it’s literally bursting at the seams with world-class venues. From pubs and restaurants through to bars and street food markets, there’s no shortage of places to pull up a pew and enjoy the beautiful game. While we can’t guarantee you a win for your chosen side, we can guarantee you a good time with a decent screen, great drinks, and world-class food. And really, what it all boils down to – we hope – is getting out there and having a good time with your mates after a fair few years of being deprived of large-scale festivals and fun.
If you can’t resist getting in on the action, then we’ve rounded up the best places to watch the 2022 World Cup in London. So, if you’re wondering where to watch the World Cup in London, let us gently guide you in the direction of the below.
When does the World Cup start?
The world cup kicks off on the 20 November.
When is the World Cup final?
The final will be played on the 18 December 2022.
Where are the World Cup 2022 fan zones in London?
For all-out excitement, there’s no better place to enjoy all the fun of the World Cup than the Fan Zones in London. Here, thousands of fans gather to celebrate and commiserate together while watching all the action live.
With Budweiser being the official sponsors of the World Cup, the FIFA Fan Festival TM in London looks to be a fan zone no passionate football lover should miss. Here you’ll find a giant ‘state of the art’ giant LED screen, music from live performers – including some big name artists – and appearances from some real life football legends. You'll find this venue at Tottenham Court Road.
This year, the talkSPORT Fan Zones - an alternative to the Budweiser site - in London can be found under the arches at Waterloo. Tickets include a free pint, and there’ll be events for all 64 games, so plenty of choice for keen sports fans.
Rotunda, King's Cross
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Watch the World Cup at Rotunda’s waterside bar in the heart of Kings Cross. If you want to enjoy delicious food and a great selection of drinks while cheering on your team - look no further. It has packages designed especially for the tournament starting from £48 per person, which includes bar platters featuring pigs in blankets, lamb belly ribs and beef croquettes, plus four bottles of beer each! Booking is recommended, and you’re more than welcome to bring your dog.
Book now: Rotunda
The Cadogan Arms, Chelsea
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Smack bang in the heart of Chelsea, The Cadogan Arms offers a rather refined way to watch the World Cup. Instead of squeezing in with the masses at a fan zone, why not treat yourself to something altogether more civilised? Here you can book the dedicated on-site sports bar, The Rose Room, which features a private bar and four TVs. There’s room for 35 fans, if seated, and up to 50 if you’re happy to stand. There’s a special menu too, loaded up with sharing platters and classic mains – burgers, curries, fish and chips, and ham, egg and chips.
Book now: The Cadogan Arms
Arcade Food Hall, Tottenham Court Road
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If you fancy the buzz of the fan zone but aren’t willing to compromise on good grub, Arcade Food Hall manages to bring the best of both worlds. Here you’ll get the hum of friendly crowd while also profiting from some of the best street food in London. The World Cup Menu is £45 a pop and includes sharing starters and mains that range from butter masala chicken wings through to smashed burgers and chicken shawarma wraps. All of that comes with your choice of wine or beer, and there are private hire options too. The Games Room – for instance – can hold up to 40 guests and comes with its own TV, an American pool table, a cocktail machine and a beer keg that you can pour from yourself.
Book now: Arcade Food Hall
Old Street Records, Old Street
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Anyone who’s been to Old Street Records (or any of its siter sites which include spots in Clapham north, Clapham Junction and The City) knows that whatever the weather - or the score - there are good times to be had. Soak up the atmosphere while enjoying the beautiful game with a drink in hand. Merrymakers here usually settle in for the night to take advantage of the buzzy atmosphere and the company of felly merrymakers. All of the Rocket Leisure sites will be showing the games – which is the parent company of Old Street Records – so make sure to track down your local. You can pre-book your entry for £12, which guarantees you a space plus a beer – or you can pay £10 on the door if you’re willing to chance it.
Book now: Old Street Records
The Rose & Crown, Clapham
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Clapham’s Old Town is a hive of trendy restaurants, shops and pubs – and the jewel in its crown (if you’ll pardon the pun) is this cosy boozer. With its red tiled front and smart gold lettering over the door, before you’ve even stepped into the bar you know you’re in good hands. There’s a stellar menu of great British classics, food-wise, and a far-reaching drinks list, making it a great spot for mixed groups who are venturing out as much for a plate of decent grub as they are to view the match. With all games due to be screened here, it’s a great local to have up your sleeve for when you fancy catching a slice of the action.
Book now: The Rose & Crown
Bluebird Chelsea
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The very popular Bluebird Chelsea is a cosy and classy spot for you to get set up and watch the World Cup this year. Whilst you watch, you’ll have full access to the café’s menu, including a classic cheeseburger, and battered haddock with chip, peas, and tartare sauce. If you’re after a refined and quintessentially British football experience, this might be the one for you.
Book now: Bluebird Chelsea
The Broadcaster, White City
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The Broadcaster is a fun and lively pub and rooftop bar inside the former BBC Television Centre at White City. It will be showing the football this December, and promises that everyone is welcome - dogs included. You can book into The Broadcaster's main bar, book a private room, or just rock up and take your chances. If you fancy a little bit of fresh air at half time, you can nip up to the roof terrace and soak up some stunning views whilst you're there.
Book now: The Broadcaster
No Such Place, Islington
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Touting itself as a ‘modern vision of your neighbourhood pub’, this Islington bar has a friendly, everyone’s welcome sort of vibe. The team here is already taking World Cup bookings, so we’d suggest getting a shift on if you’d like to secure your spot. Once you’ve got that sorted all that’s left to do is to browse the menu and decide on what you’d like to eat and drink. It’ll be the nachos and a pint of Neck Oil for us, thanks.
Book now: No Such Place
Bat & Ball, Stratford
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If you call yourself ‘East London’s home of live sport’ you’re going to have to put on a good show come the World Cup. TVs are hoisted high in the air so that everyone can see the action, and the bar is well stocked with a far-reaching drinks offering. With everything from beers and wines through to cocktails and softs, there’s something for most tastes, and if all that cheering works up an appetite, there’s good grub too. There are classic pub favourites – like fish and chips – alongside loaded fries, ribs and wings, pizzas, burgers and hot dogs. Bat & Ball, as the name suggests, is also an activity bar. Why not book a table tennis slot after the action for you and your mates to decompress over? This Stratford hot spot is part of the Urban Pubs & Bars group which has venues all over London, if you’re looking for a few different places to catch the various games.
Book now: Bat & Ball
Belushi's, London Bridge
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The charm of Belushi’s is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously – there’s always a lively atmosphere and a good-time crowd. If you choose to join them, you’ll find a range of large TVs and projectors throughout their venues (they also have sites in Camden, Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush) plus a menu packed with crowd-pleasers. We’re talking burgers, pizzas and sharing platters. Not to scaremonger, but this is another one that we suggest booking early for – spaces are sure to sell out.
Book now: Belushi's London Bridge
BOXPARK, Shoreditch, Croydon and Wembley
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If it’s the crowd atmosphere you’re looking for, BOXPARK is renowned for putting on a real show. With parties happening across all three of its sites - Shoreditch, Croydon and Wembley – there should be a location to suit you. Both Wembley and Croydon benefit from a capacity of 1200, which as you can imagine makes for quite the buzz. Fans at these spots will be treated to the game on giant 20ft screens, while at Shoreditch there will be multiple TVs spaced out around the venue. At previous BOXPARK event there have been surprise celebrity appearances from the likes of Stormzy, Atomic Kitten, Top Loader, S Club Party, Rio Ferdinand, and Danny Dyer, and there are a range of food and drinks options too. The events are ticketed – with prices ranging from £20 for a standing ticket through to £250 for a VIP table for a group.
Book now: BOXPARK Shoreditch
Goldwood Sports Pub & Kitchen, The City
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If you’re looking for somewhere new and shiny to take your mates to, Goldwood is a good a shout as any to impress out-of-towners and locals alike. This premium sports bar in Bank boasts room for nearly 500 guests, with two bar areas and a mezzanine that you can hire in its entirety if you’re looking for something a little more exclusive. Bagging a spot here will mean you benefit from the ability to view any number of the 20 TVa (three of which are 98-inch mega screens) and there are plenty of food and drinks options too.
Book now: Goldwood Sports Pub & Kitchen
Big Penny Social, Walthamstow
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What if we told you could catch all the action from the UK’s biggest beer hall? Even without one of the greatest sporting events in the global calendar on the screens, we think that’s a pretty decent reason to visit. Here you’ll find 98 beers on tap, which you’ll enjoy (if you want to that is) as part of a 1400-strong crowd. Alongside the obvious sporting events, there will also be live music, and a range of tasty World Cup themed sharing platters. Tickets for this are £8 for a seated one and £5 for the standing option. We’d suggest securing your spot early for England fixtures – we suspect this venue might become hot property.
Book now: Big Penny Social
Young’s Pubs, various locations
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For the classic footie experience, you can’t beat a cold pint in a proper pub. The Young’s Group is putting on a number of events across some of its London sites where you can grab a beer and settle down to watch the sport. There’s even a special menu being brought out in time for kick off – we’re talking loaded burgers and full-on sharing platters. At the Hope & Anchor in Brixton – for instance, there’ll be 24 TV screens and a large projector as well as private heated garden huts and screening options for groups. Other locations putting on a show include the Adam & Eve at Oxford Circus and the Albion in The City.
Book now: Hope & Anchor
The Bermondsey Bierkeller, London Bridge
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With some dates already sold out, you’ll have to get a wriggle on to bag a seat (or standing spot) at The Bermondsey Bierkeller. There is a range of price points for varying packages, but whichever one you choose you’re guaranteed a good view of the games while they’re being played live, as well as some hearty German food and a top-tier selection of beers. Once the match is over you’re also in a prime spot to enjoy some of London’s best bars and restaurants scattered around Borough Market.
Book now: The Bermondsey Bierkeller
The Clapham Grand, Clapham
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Infamous for its electric atmosphere, The Clapham Grand promises fans a good time thanks to it being home of the biggest sports screenings in London. Here you’ll find plenty of beer and bites as well as a giant 25ft HD screen to ensure you don’t miss a minute of the match. There’s confetti and DJs to keep the excitement up, and a photobooth where you can immortalise the whole thing. Expect a BIG crowd, and pre-book tickets if you want to nab a spot for any of the big games.
Book now: The Clapham Grand
Beetle Juice, Brixton
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Beetle Juice is inviting football fans to watch the World Cup on a big screen at its newly opened Brixton site. There will of course be plenty of drinks on offer: beers (five for £20), bottles of prosecco, mulled wine and boozy hot chocolate, and a range of fun cocktails (served up at an adorable campervan cocktail bar), including festive margaritas. If you’re the unorganised type, then you’ll be pleased to know that Beetle Juice is only accepting walk ins, so you won’t be expected to book for this one.
Book now: Beetle Juice
Pitchside, Tobacco Dock
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Pitchside is opening up on Level 2 of Tobacco Dock to show the World Cup this December. It’s a venue that holds the title of biggest sports bar in the UK, with a capacity of 500, alongside five huge LED screens for you to watch the game on (no breaking your back to get a glimpse of the corner of a tiny screen!). There’ll be half-time DJs and live hosts, and the party will continue until 1am, long after the match finishes. Single tickets start from £5 – a reasonable price to pay for what’s set to be a thriving venue.
Book now: Pitchside at Skylight
Vinegar Yard, London Bridge
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Vinegar Yard’s winter terrace has been set up with a canopy cover and heaters to host fans eager for an al fresco match experience. Set yourself up in front of one of the big screens, order drinks from the outdoor bar, and even tuck into food from the range of resident traders, including Nanny Bill’s, Baba G’s, and Nik’s Kitchen. Tickets include a pint on entry, and a token for your food – nice and streamlined so all you have to focus on is the game.
Book now: Vinegar Yard
TOCA Social, Greenwich
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TOCA Social will be hosting ‘Watch + Work’ events this December, where fans struggling to get time off work for the World Cup will be able to comfortably set themselves up to work alongside the football. There’ll be delicious food served, including dishes like cheeseburger croquettes, fried pickles, and crispy chicken wings. You can book single spots, or space for a larger team, and work whilst you watch. There are also designated quiet zones for you to nip to when you need a more peaceful minute - just don’t blame us if you miss a goal while you’re out…
Book now: TOCA Social
Peckham Levels, Peckham
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With a capacity for 400 seated fans, Peckham Levels is a great spot for a lively World Cup experience. There are plenty of exciting food and drink offers on at the venue’s street food traders, including 20% off during all England games at 081 Pizzeria, and grilled chicken tikka, masala fries, and a Gipsy Hill lager for £9.95 at Boxwallah. Drinks wise, you’ll also be pleased to know that a Happy Hour of £4 pints and wine, and £5 rum punch, will run on game days – win win!
Book now: Peckham Levels
Design District Canteen, Greenwich
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The upper floor terrace of Design District Canteen is being transformed into a dedicated fan zone. £10 tickets will guarantee a seat, as well as a complimentary pint and access to the street food traders downstairs. Making the venue all the more lively will be DJs playing sets in between the football, and there’ll also be the chance for fans to try their hand at Beat the Keeper, a great halftime activity.
Book now: Design District Canteen
Amazing Grace, London Bridge
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Amazing Grace, a popular live music venue in London Bridge, will be screening the World Cup this year. You’ll have the chance to watch the games from its multiple TV screens or, if you’re a VIP ticket holder, a special 3.5 metre screen. There’s a Thai street food selection on offer, as well as a hand-picked selection of cocktails and beers - sounds like the recipe for a perfect match.
Book now: Amazing Grace
Ready to carry on the merriment? What about checking out the best places to celebrate New Year in London?