World Cup 2026 in Chicago, Where to Watch & Drink

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs June 11 through July 19, with the group stage June 11–27. It's hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada. Chicago isn't a host city, but the citywide watch-party scene is one of the biggest in the country, with Irish pubs, beer gardens, and soccer-specific bars opening early for every match.

The Globe Pub (North Center) is the city's flagship soccer bar that opens early and shows every match. Fadó (River North) and Galway Arms (Lincoln Park) cover the downtown and north-side crowds, The Atlantic Bar & Grill (Lincoln Square) is a longtime supporters' pub, and Kaiser Tiger (West Loop) plus The Northman (Riverwalk) are the beer-garden plays when the weather's good.

The quarterfinals run Thursday through Sunday, July 9–12, and the big soccer rooms pack out for every knockout. The Globe Pub (North Center) opens for every match, Fadó (River North) and D4 (Streeterville) pull the downtown crowd, and Galway Arms (Lincoln Park) plus The Atlantic (Lincoln Square) hold down the north side. The marquee ties, Spain vs Belgium (Fri, July 10) and Norway vs England (Sat, July 11), kick off in the afternoon right around happy hour, so expect drink specials and a packed house. Confirm the exact kickoff before you head out; the winners advance to the semifinals July 14–15.

We're tracking 402 live soccer and watch-party specials across 219 Chicago venues right now, with more posting as the knockout rounds run through the July 19 final. Early-kickoff matches pair with brunch and bottomless deals; afternoon and evening slates run drink buckets and happy-hour pricing.

Kickoffs span US, Mexican, and Canadian time zones, so most matches air from late morning through evening Central. The early kickoffs are why brunch-and-a-match becomes the move, several soccer bars open hours ahead of their normal schedule.

With warm weather holding, the beer gardens are the move for daytime matches: The Northman Beer & Cider Garden on the Riverwalk, Kaiser Tiger's West Loop garden, Sheffield Beer & Wine Garden in Lakeview, and District Brew Yards on the Near West Side all run outdoor screens. See our patio-season guide for the full list of outdoor spots.

Mexico (El Tri) is one of the most-supported teams in the tournament, and its matches draw some of the biggest crowds in the city. Park & Field (Logan Square) is a big sports bar with a beer garden and a wall of screens; Avondale Tap is a solid neighborhood sports bar; La Victoria Barra + Cocina on Milwaukee is a Mexican bar and kitchen running micheladas and the match; and Birrieria La Tapatia in Little Village is the move for a Mexico-match taco spread. Several of these are Mexican-owned and all show the game on a big screen, arrive early on Mexico match days, they fill up fast.