Start checking your jerseys, clearing your calendar, and waking up the group chat: the countdown is on for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
For once, the world’s biggest soccer tournament is not something Bay Area fans will be watching from a different time zone. It is landing here, with official matches at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and hundreds of watch parties, fan zones, and soccer-fueled events expected across the region.
To help you plan your World Cup summer, we’ve selected 10 of the best places to watch the tournament in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and beyond—plus a few bonus spots you might not expect.
Six matches go off at Levi's Stadium beginning with Qatar vs. Switzerland on June 13th.(Courtesy of @just_socerrrr)
1. Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara
It should come as no surprise that Levi's Stadium is the number one place to experience the World Cup in the Bay Area as the host to six matches: Qatar vs. Switzerland on June 13th, Austria vs. Jordan on June 16th, Türkiye vs. Paraguay on June 19th, Jordan vs. Algeria on June 22nd, Paraguay vs. Australia on June 25th, and a Round of 32 match on July 1st.
While standard tickets for the Santa Clara matches are sold out, there’s still a chance to buy passes. Check FIFA’s official Resale/Exchange Marketplace, where availability changes in real time as ticket holders release seats. When tickets appear, move fast— and stick with FIFA’s official ticketing channels to avoid scams.
On match days, arrive early; the World Cup experience starts long before kickoff. Head first to the Fan Experience Zone past Gate 1, where pre-match activities will help build the energy before you settle into the full stadium spectacle: flags, chants, giant screens, and fans from around the world. Come hungry, too. The food lineup goes beyond basic stadium fare, with local favorites like Araujo’s Mexican Grill, The Sarap Shop, Kaböb Trölley and IB’s Berkeley, plus hot dogs, pretzels, pizza, barbecue, seafood, and premium club menus for hospitality ticket holders.
// 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way (Santa Clara), levisstadium.com
2. FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zones in San Francisco
All official FIFA World Cup 2026 fan zones and public watch parties in San Francisco are free to attend. Instead of one centralized location, the city will host several public watch sites from June 11th through July 19th. Some will show selected major matches, while others are built around Pride programming, neighborhood gatherings, or big-event energy. For Team USA, Mexico, knockout-round and final matches, arrive early; RSVP may be required or encouraged.
Thrive City at Chase Center
This Mission Bay plaza is one of San Francisco’s strongest picks. Free watch parties will run from June 11th to July 19th, including major screenings for USA vs. Paraguay and Mexico vs. South Korea, plus select matches throughout the tournament. Expect a giant outdoor screen, music, giveaways and a crowd ready to turn the plaza into a soccer party. // 1725 3rd St. (Mission Bay), chasecenter.com/thrive-city
China Basin Park at Mission Rock is an official SF Fan Zone.(Courtesy of @scape_studio/@tishmanspeyer)
China Basin Park at Mission Rock
Set along the waterfront near Oracle Park, this outdoor fan zone will host free watch parties from June 11th to July 19th. The schedule includes selected group-stage matches, Team USA games, knockout rounds, semifinals, the bronze medal match, and the final. It is one of the most scenic places to watch, with Bay views and room to gather outside. // 1 China Basin Park (Mission Bay), missionrock.com
Pier 39
For visitors, families, and anyone who wants a classic SF backdrop, this waterfront destination will show selected matches on a big screen at the bay end of the pier. The schedule includes Team USA group-stage matches, select Round of 16 games, quarterfinals, semifinals, the bronze final, and the World Cup Final. They won’t show every match, but it should be one of the most festive places to catch the biggest games. // The Embarcadero at Beach St. (Fisherman’s Wharf), pier39.com/soccer
Yerba Buena Lane / Jessie Square
Hosted with Pride House SF, this downtown watch party brings the World Cup into Pride season. The June 25th event will screen Sweden vs. Japan and USA vs. Türkiye, with DJs, drag performances, soccer trivia, prizes, and a Fan Glam Station for supporters who want to dress up in team colors. RSVP is encouraged. // Mission St. between 3rd and 4th Sts. (SoMa), pridehouseunited2026.com
The Crossing at East Cut
This outdoor venue will host a free Pride House SF and Street Soccer USA watch party for USA vs. Australia on June 19th. Close to Salesforce Park and the Embarcadero, it is a convenient downtown stop for fans who want food, drinks, and a family-friendly crowd. // 250 Main St. (SoMa), eastcutcrossing.com
The Midway
This large event space in Dogpatch will bring a bigger production feel to the tournament, with indoor-outdoor space, music, food, art, and festival energy. Check final match details and RSVP info closer to the tournament. // 900 Marin St. (Dogpatch), themidwaysf.com
Jackson Playground
For a neighborhood-style outdoor watch party, this Potrero Hill park will host a free San Francisco fan-zone event for the quarterfinals on July 11th. It is a good pick for fans who want a more local, family-friendly atmosphere. // 1645 17th St. (Potrero), sfrecpark.org
San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose will be a major venue for seeing all 104 matches.(Courtesy of @zengpico)
3. San Pedro Square Market, San Jose
If you want one place to follow the tournament from the opening match to the final, head to San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. The San Jose Earthquakes, SJ26, and the Bay Area Host Committee are turning San Pedro Square and the surrounding streets into a month-long soccer celebration, with all 104 World Cup matches scheduled to be shown across multiple large screens. Admission is free with RSVP. Come for one big match or make it your tournament headquarters. Expect food vendors, drinks, giveaways, merchandise, soccer activations, youth zones, and the kind of festival atmosphere that makes every goal feel louder. // 87 N. San Pedro St. (San Jose), sanpedrosquaremarket.com
4. McTeague’s Saloon, San Francisco
For Team USA matches, McTeague’s Saloon is one of SF’s safest bets. The Polk Street saloon has the feel of a classic Irish pub with the energy of a serious sports bar: plenty of screens, strong drinks, a lively crowd, and a match-day atmosphere that can get loud, fast. It is also spacious by San Francisco bar standards, which helps on big game days—though early arrival is still the smart move for high-demand matches. Grab food nearby or settle in for pints and cocktails. // 1237 Polk St. (Lower Nob Hill), sfmcteagues.com
5. Amélie Café & Wine Bar, Fairfax
For fans hoping to watch Les Bleus with a French crowd, Amélie Café & Wine Bar in Fairfax may be the best place in the Bay Area. France is expected to be one of the tournament favorites, with star players like Kylian Mbappé bringing extra excitement to every match. Amélie Fairfax plans to show all the games, and everyone is welcome, whether you are French, a Francophile, or simply looking for a lively place to watch world-class soccer over wine and food. Its sister location on Polk Street in SF will also show select games, and will announce them on Facebook and Instagram a few days before each event. // 71 Broadway Blvd. (Fairfax), ameliefairfax.com; 1754 Polk St. (Russian Hill), sfamelie.com
Kezar Pub is a classic for catching a game in SF.(Courtesy of @kezarpub)
6. Kezar Pub, San Francisco
Kezar Pub is a San Francisco classic, especially for fans near Golden Gate Park, Cole Valley, the Inner Sunset, UCSF, and the Haight. It has the right ingredients for a World Cup day: pub food, pints, big screens, buffalo wings, and a crowd all leaning into the match together. Since it’s not an official fan zone, check the schedule before going, especially for early kickoffs or major matches. But for a neighborhood sports-bar atmosphere, Kezar is a reliable favorite. // 770 Stanyan St. (Haight-Ashbury), kezarpub.com
7. Mad Dog in the Fog, San Francisco
A classic San Francisco soccer pub, Mad Dog in the Fog is one of the city’s most reliable places for fans who want a true football atmosphere. Expect international jerseys, loud reactions, early-match energy, and a crowd that knows the game. During the World Cup, this Upper Haight bar should be especially lively for European and South American matches. Bonus: unlike some packed soccer bars, they serve food. // 1568 Haight St. (Haight-Ashbury), facebook.com/maddoginthefogsf
8. Danny Coyle’s, San Francisco
Another strong soccer-bar pick, Danny Coyle’s in the Lower Haight is home to several club supporters groups, including fans of Tottenham, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund. It is a good choice for fans who want the pub version of the tournament: Guinness, chants, packed rooms, and the emotional roller coaster of watching big games with people who really care. Eat before you go, especially for crowded matches. // 668 Haight St. (Lower Haight), dannycoyles.com
Outdoor shopping district Santana Row in San Jose will become The Row Cup during the tournament.(Courtesy of @tylerlivingston4815)
9. The Row Cup at Santana Row, San Jose
For fans who want shopping, dining, and World Cup energy all in one place, head to Santana Row’s The Row Cup, a five-week celebration from June 11th to July 19th. The event will include watch parties inside more than 15 restaurants, themed cocktails, live DJs, happy hours, and a FIFA pop-up shop. Restaurants such as Left Bank, Vintage Wine Bar, Dumpling Time, EMC Seafood, El Jardín, Zazil and Momosan are expected to be part of the fun. Come hungry, wear your colors, and make a day of it. // 377 Santana Row (San Jose), santanarow.com
10. Brotzeit Lokal, Oakland
For East Bay fans who want a beer-garden World Cup experience, Brotzeit Lokal is one of the strongest picks. The Jack London waterfront spot is listed as hosting watch parties for all World Cup games airing during business hours, from June 11th through July 19th, with drink specials and free admission. With its Bavarian-style atmosphere, long communal tables, waterfront views, and strong selection of German and European beers, Brotzeit is made for lingering over more than one match. Add sausages, schnitzel, pretzels, and a relaxed Oakland crowd, and it becomes a standout. // 1000 Embarcadero (Oakland), brotzeitbiergarten.com
Other Places to Catch the Games
The Bay Area will have plenty of other places to catch World Cup matches beyond the top 10, from food halls and Irish pubs to outdoor plazas, seaside attractions, and only-in-San-Francisco venues. Schedules may vary, so check with each venue before heading out.
Oakland Athletic Club is reopening just in time for the World Cup.(Courtesy of Oakland Athletic Club)
In downtown San Francisco, Saluhall inside the IKEA building offers a casual food-hall setting near Union Square and Market Street that’s ideal for fans who want to grab a bite while keeping an eye on the game. // 945 Market St. (SoMa), saluhallmarket.com
For a more traditional pub atmosphere, longtime sports bar The Chieftain Irish Pub & Restaurant in SoMa is a convenient downtown stop for fans looking for a pint, comfort food, and a match. // 198 5th St. (SoMa), thechieftain.com
Also in SoMa, Gold Club SF is planning World Cup watch parties with big screens and game-day energy. The gentlemen’s club will do a June 11th fútbol watch party with a free international lunch buffet starting at 11:30am (RSVP recommended); more games are expected to be announced on its social media accounts. // 650 Howard St. (SoMa), goldclubsf.com
Across the Bay, Oakland Athletic Club is reopening just in time for the World Cup, bringing a lively sports-bar atmosphere with big screens, food, and a local crowd ready to cheer. // 59 Grand Ave. (Oakland), theacoakland.com
On the Peninsula, Redwood City Courthouse Square will host official World Cup watch parties in a family-friendly downtown setting, making it a strong option for fans between SF and San Jose. // 2200 Broadway (Redwood City), redwoodcity.org
Farther south, Santa Cruz will add a coastal twist to the tournament. The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History is part of the official Santa Cruz World Cup fan-zone lineup, while the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk gives families a chance to pair seaside fun with soccer fever. // 705 Front St. (Santa Cruz), santacruzmah.org; 400 Beach St. (Santa Cruz), beachboardwalk.com
// For more information about the World Cup 2026 events and match schedules, visit: FIFA World Cup 2026, SF Bay Area Host Committee, and Discover Santa Clara
