Thirsty Lion
Audio By Carbonatix
There’s another must-watch event happening this summer besides “Love Island USA.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11. The massive 104-game tournament among 48 nations is taking over stadiums throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada over nearly 40 days, culminating with the final match on July 19.
With so much happening — and tickets at astronomical prices — local sports bars will turn up the volume on their TVs and offer specials on drinks and food to get fans off their couches and out to watch every goal.
Known soccer destinations like George & Dragon, Fibber Magees and Crown Public House are gearing up for a crush of fans. Sports bars and restaurants are getting in on the action, too. Join the official U.S. national team fan club at Tombstone Brewing Co. Bring your dog and your kids to the party at The Park at O.H.S.O. in Gilbert and watch matches on a Jumbotron. Or bop between watching a game and “Love Island” at Gracie’s Tax Bar.
These are 20 spots around the Valley where you’ll find fellow soccer fans and dining deals.
Sana Sana Cervecería
915 N. Fourth St.
The popular Roosevelt Row brewery was a standing room-only party for the kickoff World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa. Sana Sana Cerveceria is showing all the games and hosting watch parties for U.S. and Mexico matches. The Sana Sana team is gearing up for the next Mexico match on June 18, adding a TV and pouring station on the patio to accommodate more customers. To get into the spirit, order one of Sana Sana’s green Copa Mundial cucumber seltzers and snag a bite from food vendors Taco Vibes and La Salsa Tacos de Canasta.
Gracie’s Tax Bar
711 N. Seventh Ave.
Neighborhood dive Gracie’s Tax Bar will air back-to-back World Cup games on June 24 and 25. Catch Mexico play Czechia, formerly and more widely known as the Czech Republic, on June 24, or watch the U.S. take on Turkey on June 25. You’ll hear the sounds of both games. For those who don’t want to miss the soapy drama of “Love Island,” bounce between the U.S. game inside the bar and the reality dating show’s watch party out on the patio.
Carousel
6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., G111, Glendale
Carousel, the energetic arcade-and-sports-bar in Westgate that attracts American football and Ultimate Fighting Championship fans, will air World Cup games throughout the tournament. Head to the bar to watch U.S., Mexico and other major international matches, including Brazil v. Haiti on June 19. Carousel will offer drink specials and free FIFA souvenir cups with Casamigos margaritas and Buchanan’s cocktails. Customers will also receive raffle tickets for every $25 spent, and could win a VIP experience from Carousel or gift cards worth $400 or $150.
Title 9 Sports Grill
4221 N. Seventh Ave.
Title 9 Sports Grill is the Valley’s first women’s sports bar and a destination for women’s professional and collegiate games. The Melrose restaurant also airs some men’s sports on its 22 TVs, and that includes World Cup matches. Title 9 will open early, at 11 a.m., on June 19 for fans who want to catch the U.S. men take on Australia. Customers can choose from bar eats and Title 9’s cocktails named in honor of notable women athletes, like the Taurasi Goat-tail, a rum-based sipper named for Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi.
Four Peaks Brewing Co.
Four Peaks Brewing Co.
1340 E. Eighth St., #104, Tempe
Four Peaks Brewing Co.’s Tempe pub will tune its TVs into World Cup games and offer specials at the bar inspired by the tournament. The brewer known for its Scottish-style ale, Kilt Lifter, will pour $4 pints during all of Scotland’s matches. No matter what game you watch at the pub, Four Peaks will also offer $3 daily rotating half-pints during halftime. You also may be rooting for some infractions on the field: The bar will take $1 off FP96 light lager pints for every yellow card issued and $2 off Kilt Lifters for every red card.
Harkins BackLot
2440 W. Happy Valley Road
The food and entertainment center from the movie theater chain takes its name from the Hollywood studio backlots. The Harkins BackLot at The Shops at Norterra boasts an arcade, bowling, darts and massive venue for watching sports. The BackLot Arena is home to a cinema-sized sports screen and 60-plus TVs. The arena is airing World Cup matches and only accepts walk-ins, so the Harkins team suggests arriving early to snag a table for any U.S. matches. At the family-friendly space, you can send the kids to the arcade while watching a match.
Hanshin Pocha
1130 W. Grove Ave. #106, Mesa
Hanshin Pocha, the Korean chain known for its street-style dishes and soju selection, will host watch parties for the Korean matches. Head to the Mesa restaurant on June 11, 18, or 24 to catch the game with fellow Red Devils – the fanbase’s nickname. Hanshin Pocha suggests customers wear red and get ready to cheer with their friends. It’ll be easy to get a round for the table: Beer pitchers are half off on game days.
The Hot Chick
The Hot Chick
4363 N. 75th St., Scottsdale
The Old Town sports bar and 1970s-styled nightlife hotspot will air every U.S. and Mexico game with sound. The Hot Chick will also host a U.S. watch party on June 24, organized by Phoenix Rising Football Club. Toast those matches with The Hot Chick’s World Cup-inspired specials, including a Phoenix Rising Paloma for $13 or a 22-ounce Modelo served in a soccer boot cup for $12. Other tournament specials include an espresso martini shot, beer and seltzer buckets or a personal keg for your table. Reservations can be made by texting 480-255-7733.
Joy Lush Club
24 W. Camelback Road, Suites D & E
Joy Lush Club, typically an FC Barcelona bar, has plenty on tap during the World Cup. The uptown Phoenix taproom and bottle shop will show all games on all of its screens with full sound. The festivities include drink specials, a lineup of food vendors and raffle prizes and giveaways when the U.S., Mexico or Germany plays. Order a $5 tall boy or draft or opt for a bucket of international beers. Asada Tacos will pop up during Mexico games on June 18 and 24. Stoop Kid’s crew will sling burgers during U.S. games on June 19 and 25.
Tirion Boan
O.H.S.O. Brewery
Multiple locations
The Valley brewer will air World Cup matches at all six of its Valley locations. Head to O.H.S.O. Brewery’s downtown Gilbert outpost to watch and hear every game from its Jumbotron in its large outdoor park or from one of the TVs around the restaurant. O.H.S.O.’s other family and dog-friendly spots in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Surprise will turn up the volume for U.S. and Mexico games. Every O.H.S.O. will offer $3 Cerveza Time Mexican Lagers whenever those teams take the pitch. To help folks plan their visit based on the game they’d like to watch, O.H.S.O. has posted the full World Cup game schedule online.
Fibber Magees
1989 W. Elliot Road, Chandler
East Valley Irish pub Fibber Magees is normally a destination for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club diehards or stout heads in search of a proper Guinness pour. For the World Cup, Fibber Magees will air every game from its TVs and projection screen. The bar offers a slew of drink specials during the tournament, including $4 Modelo, Stella, Michelob Ultra, NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer and Budweiser. Or, opt for a Buchanan’s with pineapple for $7 or a $10 Casamigos margarita. Fibber Magees also serves a full menu of loaded fries, burgers, sandwiches and classic pub plates like shepherd’s pie and fish and chips.
Backyard
Backyard
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
Backyard is one of New Times’ go-to spots to watch sports because of the overwhelming number of screens. At the sports bar and patio’s Desert Ridge location, four massive 18-foot-by-10-foot LED screens are capable of showcasing up to 32 games at once. It’s the kind of sensory overload that a tournament like the World Cup calls for. Backyard has also decked out its bars with international flags, soccer balls and some patriotic eagles. The sports bar will debut special food and drinks for the tournament, including a blackberry paloma and a huge Soccer Platter stuffed with fries, onion rings, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, wings and ribs. Backyard at Desert Ridge will say farewell to the tournament by teaming up with Phoenix Rising for a World Cup final watch party on July 19.
George & Dragon
4240 N. Central Ave.
This central Phoenix English pub has long been a destination for watching UEFA Champions League and Premier League football. You’ll see Manchester United fans in red kits rolling into the pub early in the morning to root for their Red Devils. For the World Cup, George & Dragon will air all the matches. Seating in the rustic, Union Jack-accented tavern is first-come, first-served. The pub’s owner recommends that those who want to watch England, Scotland, the U.S. or Mexico matches arrive at least two hours early to snag a seat.
Pedal Haus Brewery
Pedal Haus Brewery
Multiple locations
Head to one of Pedal Haus Brewery’s pubs in downtown Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler or Mesa to watch all of the matches with the sound on inside at the bar or on one of its covered, misted patios. Find biergarten vibes in Tempe and Mesa or snag a bar seat in downtown Phoenix or Chandler. Every location will toast the tournament with $4 Day Drinker Light Lagers. Customers can also save $2 on the brewer’s “Haus” beers for select games from 3 to 6 p.m.
Tombstone Brewing Co.
3935 E. Thomas Road
Tombstone Brewing Co.’s north outpost in Phoenix is the home base for the Phoenix Chapter of American Outlaws, the fan club for the U.S. national soccer teams. The AO Phoenix crew will be at the brewpub on June 19 and 25. Phoenix Rising will bring more soccer fandom on June 25, teaming up for a watch party when the U.S. men take on Turkey. No matter who makes it to the final match, AO Phoenix fans will be at Tombstone to watch, with the finale watch party set for July 19.
Crown Public House
333 E. Jefferson St.
Crown Public House wants to be fans’ World Cup headquarters. The downtown British pub already attracts plenty of soccer fans to cheer for Liverpool F.C. or to tune in to other Champions League matches. During the World Cup, the black-and-red pub will air all tournament games with the sound on, serve discounted bites and drinks and offer giveaways throughout the tournament. Order a $10 pizza or wings with a pint of Stella or Michelob Ultra for $4.
Blanco Cocina + Cantina
Blanco Cocina + Cantina
Multiple locations
Blanco Cocina + Cantina has a World Cup-inspired special that kicks off on Thursday and rolls through July 19. The Sonoran-inspired restaurant will serve plates of loaded fries and any draft Mexican beer for $12 over the next month. The fries come topped with diner’s choice of chicken tinga or machaca, avocado crema, chipotle, pickled onions, guacamole, cilantro and onions. Valley soccer fans will find games airing at all six of Blanco’s Valley restaurants, located in Phoenix, Peoria, Scottsdale and Tempe.
Yucca Tap Room
29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe
Yucca Tap Room is a destination for Arsenal fans. Starting on Thursday, the Tempe dive turns into a World Cup watch spot. The bar will have special events and promos throughout the weeks-long tournament, including $2 Modelo cans during all World Cup matches. During select games, the bar will pour a specialty brew from one of the countries taking the pitch, for $4. Luckily, we’re close enough to the World Cup arenas that most games start in the afternoon or evening, but if you’re ready to turn up early for the tournament, Yucca Tap Room opens at 6 a.m.
Thirsty Lion
Multiple locations
Locations of Thirsty Lion will offer a limited-time matchup menu during the World Cup, along with a way for diners to pay it forward to future soccer stars. The special menu features sliders, chicken wings, chicken tenderloins and cheese curds paired with a Michelob Ultra or Stella Artois for under $15. From June 11 to July 19, customers can round up their checks to support the American Youth Soccer Organization, which makes the sport more accessible to young athletes.
R.T. O’Sullivan’s
Multiple locations
Locations of Irish pub, R.T. O’Sullivan’s, more often host live musicians or air American football. But during the World Cup, all three pubs will air every match. The bar will offer a deal on a popular Mexican lager all tournament long. Customers in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa can get pints of Modelo for $5 while watching the World Cup. R.T. O’Sullivan’s also offers daily food and drink specials. The pub plans to give away a 55-inch TV as part of its World Cup celebration.
