Bars, Pubs and Dives: Where to Watch World Cup Matches in the Bay Area

The Bay Area enjoys a long history with soccer fandoms — and classic bars and pubs for watching the game.

In 1967, the Oakland Clippers became national champions. The San Jose Earthquakes, one of the nation’s oldest professional soccer clubs, dates back to 1974. In 1994, Stanford Stadium was selected as a primary venue for the 15th World Cup.

Today, the Oakland Roots and Soul have emerged as the East Bay’s second-division darlings, playing at the Oakland Coliseum. And don’t forget Bay FC, who’ve built a sizable fanbase since launching in 2023 as an expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League.

It’s no surprise, then, that FIFA has once again selected the region — and in particular Silicon Valley, the unofficial soccer capital of the Bay — as a host site for the 23rd edition of the World Cup. Even so, not everyone can afford to attend the world’s greatest soccer tournament IRL; BBC Sports reported that World Cup ticket prices in North America originally soared as high as $8,680, with hundreds more at $2,735. 

From Santa Clara to Santa Rosa, meanwhile, soccer pubs and cafes will show the games for free, with loud groups of passionate hooligans and futbolistas celebrating each goal. Here’s where to join some of the Bay’s most devout football zealots to watch the World Cup.

Kezar Pub: This Irish pub is a throwback neighborhood gem with a proud soccer identity that began in 1995, when Irish immigrant Cyril Hackett took over. Located in the Upper Haight, it faces Golden Gate Park’s Kezar Stadium — a historic sports venue that has hosted every kind of football match, including the San Francisco 49ers, the United States Men’s National Team during Olympic qualifiers, and currently the quirky grassroots soccer club, SF City FC. It offers the full experience of a lovably sticky-floored soccer pub, year round.

Maggie McGarry’s: Ask any Arsenal F.C. fan (congrats on winning the title after a 22-year drought, by the way) where they prefer to watch Gooner games in Frisco, and the answer will likely be Maggie’s. This North Beach haunt is a quintessential Irish pub. With plentiful soccer memorabilia bedecking the walls, and even a ban on the legendary soccer players Roy Keane, Thierry Henry and Stephen Ireland, the World Cup fan environment won’t get much more legit than this. Expect very large and sweaty crowds.

The Pig and Whistle: Located near the University of San Francisco, this bar on Geary Boulevard attracts a funky mix of young and OG patrons alike, and has been listed as one of Eater’s best sports bars in the city. An English pub with a noticeable amount of British ex-pats on any given gameday, it offers standard fare like bangers and mash and a pint of Fuller’s London Pride while cheering on your international team of choice.

Neighborhood Sports Club: The latest most unique addition to the Bay Area football circuit is this outdoor cafe in Jack London Square. An actual small-sided soccer field is attached, where local players run pick-up games; they’ll also host their own Neighborhood World Cup throughout the duration of the FIFA tourney. Unlike a traditional European soccer pub, the space provides fresh air, a family-friendly environment, food and fashion pop-ups from local makers.

George & Walt’s: Oakland over the past decade has lost a handful of bona fide soccer pubs, like Commonwealth Cafe and Public House and Overland Country Bar & Grill. In their place, however, are classic American sports bars like George and Walt’s on College Avenue in Claremont, which has become a de facto watch party center for the Beautiful Game. During the earliest morning games (9 a.m. local time), the kitchen may not be open, but outside food is welcome. 

The Athletic Club: In its peak hours, there may be no better destination for sports watching in the East Bay than the Athletic Club on Grand Avenue, with plenty of TVs, space, liquor and food. Though not specifically a soccer pub per se, it’s a short distance from BART, with plenty of things to do nearby before or after, making it an ideal gathering spot for an array of sports lovers. While the venue shut down a few months ago, it’s reportedly planning to re-open with new ownership on June 11, just in time for the World Cup.

Jack’s Bar: This San Jose favorite is the headquarters for soccer hooligan groups like the Silicon Valley Gooners, and supporters’ scarves from around the globe drape from the ceiling. Like any true footballer’s den, they open at 6 a.m. on weekends during the English Premier League season to broadcast games from the opposite hemisphere. You can bet they’ll be showing every moment of this World Cup, just a stone’s throw from Levi’s Stadium. 

St. Stephen’s Green: A personal favorite, this is where my dad, a soccer-loving Mexican immigrant, has gone for decades to catch international games with his pick-up soccer buddies. It’s your run-of-the-mill Irish pub in many ways: hella beers on tap, greasy bar food. But the appeal of this particular watering hole is that it’s located on a bustling, pedestrian-only Castro Street in downtown Mountain View, with ample outdoor seating that transforms into an organic watch party with passersby and diehards from all over the globe cheering and booing every minute of action.

The Goose & Fern: Known for Full English breakfasts to go along with pints of ale and soccer matches, this Santa Rosa pub in Railroad Square will show a steady stream of World Cup games. For morning matchups, order a Scotch egg — a boiled egg wrapped in a breadcrumb-battered deep-fried sausage. For afternoons and evenings, add a Sticky Toffee Pudding to fuel your cheering. Whatever your combo, this British pub is a surefire haven for football fans in the 707.

Napa Palisades Saloon: When thinking about Napa Valley, soccer doesn’t exactly come to mind. But at this downtown hangout you’ll be able to experience every game (with the volume on!) in a no-frills sports bar setting. Skip the usual wine tasting and hit up this sports saloon, which will transform into a World Cup hub for locals.