The world once again turns its attention to the beautiful game as the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Brazil June 12 and runs until July 13. With teams competing from every populated continent, the FIFA World Cup is one of the very few sporting events that is truly global. But if you’re not one of the lucky few to watch the massive tournament live in Brazil, there’s plenty of options close to home.
Commercial Drive is the best place to drape yourself with your jersey, paint the colours of your country on your face and walk through the streets chanting “olé, olé, olé!” With more places to view the matches on a big screen than any other street in the city, expect the Drive to come alive with excitement. But the Drive isn’t the only World Cup stomping ground. Here’s a list of the best places to watch World Cup matches across Vancouver:
Caffé Roma: 1510 Commercial
Caffé Roma is expecting to open just in time for the World Cup. If you’re rooting for Italy, this should be your first destination. In the past, Caffé Roma has been the place to meet for soccer fans. It will be showing the games on six televisions and is expecting to open early for the matches.
The Pint: 455 Abbott
The Pint is the unofficial Brazil house and the official England, Germany and Belgium house. If you’re a fan of any of these counties, The Pint is going to have a crazy crowd of fans for all of the matches. With 75 televisions and three bars, The Pint is expecting huge crowds, particularly for the England and Brazil matches. It seats 500 people and will open at 9am to show all of the games.
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse: 689 Denman
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse is going to be the spot for all Brazil fans. The Steakhouse is engulfed with decorations of banners and flags supporting the host country. The matches will be shown on a projector as well as three big flat screen televisions.
London Public House: 700 Main
The London Public House is the official house for England and will be selling tickets for all of the England matches which can be watched from two projectors or one of the 9 flat screen televisions. The London Public House will also be opening early for all of the Colombia matches.
Portugese Club of Vancouver: 1144 Commercial
The Vancouver Portugal House is expecting to be filled with Portuguese fans, however members will have priority entrance during all games. The club will be showing their games on different five televisions in the restaurant.
The Vancouver Alpen Club: 4875 Victoria
The Vancouver Alpen Club will be showing all of the Germany matches. This is going to be the place to be for all German fans. The club will be showing the games on its 17-foot television in high definition. If you’re rooting for Germany, you’re going to want to come early and grab a seat as they are expected to fill up fast. Doors open at 8am and there is a $5 entry donation.
The Libra Room: 1608 Commercial
The Libra Room will be opening early and showing all games. This will be the place to go if you’re supporting Spain or Brazil. The Libra Room will also be giving away prizes and will have drink specials for the games.
Red Card Sports Bar: 560 Smithe
Red Card Sports Bar will be opening up early at 8:30am for all of the morning matches and they will also be serving a special breakfast menu for the games. The bar will have 18 televisions, two projection screens and will be selling special game day beer specials including golden Budweiser’s. The bar is expecting to have huge crowds for the Spain vs. Netherlands, England vs. Uruguay and France vs. Honduras matches.
Manchester Public House: 1941 W. Broadway
Manchester Public House is going to be the special house for both England and Dutch fans. They have 12 televisions and will be showing different games on different televisions. Depending on the match they will open early, but they normally open at 11am. They are expecting a huge crowd for the England vs. Italy match and can seat 200 people.
South Hall Palace: 8273 Ross
South Hall Palace is booked solid for the Korean fans. They will also be giving away free ice cream.
The Sin Bin: 295 W. 2nd
With their windows and walls draped in the flags of six different countries, The Sin Bin is going to be the place for the laid-back fans who just want to relax, watch the matches without picking a side. The Sin Bin will also be opening up early at 9am to show the games with drink specials and they will be giving away a foosball table to one lucky fan at the end of the World Cup.
Panadería Latina Bakery: 4906 Joyce
Panaderia will be showing all the games during the World Cup. If you’re a Chilean fan, this will be your territory over the next few weeks. Panaderia always expects a big Chilean crowd and will have a large television to watch the game, but come early as it is first-come-first-serve, so you get a good seat to watch the game. There is no cover charge.
Library Square: 300 W. Georgia
Library Square will also be opening early at 8:30am to show the games. This will be a good place to go if you’re just a fan of the game or don’t really support any team and are just going along with the crowd to have fun. There will be no pressure here.
Vancity Theatre: 1181 Seymour
The Vancouver International Film Centre will be showing the first game of the tournament live on the big screen for free on June 12. Although they can’t show all of the games because of other commitments, they may show more games as the tournament goes on if there is demand for them. The theatre will also be showing a series of soccer movies from Latin-America as well as documentaries and dramas.
ANZA Club: 3 W. 8th
Mt. Pleasant’s ANZA Club will be broadcasting the Socceroos’ (aka Team Australia) games on their big screen in the downstairs lounge. Grab a cold bottle of Coopers’ Sparkling Ale and chant away! Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!
For the schedule of matches, go to Fifa.com.
