Ole Ole Ole Ole. Ole Ole. It. Is. On.
One of the biggest sporting events in the world – the FIFA World Cup Soccer. This year, it’s held in Qatar in the Middle East.
While I’ve seen how impressive Qatar looks while flying in on a stopover to Jordan, I’m sure for most of you in Raleigh, that’s just a little too far to fly to watch a live soccer match.
However I was in France during the World Cup of 1998 which was an AWESOME party. But wait a minute! The next World Cup will be in the USA (2026). Ole Ole Ole!
Okay, back to 2022, Raleigh will host a party for you. We know, as we had lots of fun during the last World Cup in 2018 as we watched plenty of World Cup soccer matches at the London Bridge Pub in Downtown Raleigh – arguably the best place to watch soccer and one of the best sports bars in Raleigh.
Now we have this blog on Raleigh, we’ve researched a few more places across the Triangle where you can watch it in 2022.
We recommend you find those British, Irish or European in nature. As football is their national sport, you will find the atmosphere way more electric and authentic. It’s a unique buzz you can’t help but love!
Even if you’re not a soccer fan – football to most of the world – you can easily get swept up into the fandom of the sport. The spirit is usually of high camaraderie even between opposing teams with lots of jostling, ribbing, shouting out, and singing of team songs.
There is just something so special about a true global sporting event that brings together people from all around the world. From the pubs of Ireland and England, to the streets of France, and the crowded Thai cafes on Koh San Road in Bangkok, watching World Cup Soccer is one of our favorite ways to connect and celebrate with strangers. #GoodMemories
Of course, day drinking is perfectly acceptable during the World Cup soccer.
So throw on your nation’s colors, hold your scarfs in the air, and get ready to cheer loud and proud.
For us, it’s Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi. We’re stoked that Australia scraped in at the last minute (we play defending champs France in our opening game). We promise we’ll be cheering for the USA in other games. Let us know in the comments where you are from and who you are supporting?
May the best team win. Here is the World Cup Soccer match schedule for 2022
NOTE: It was quite challenging to find a lot of places to watch the World Cup in Raleigh (and a little further away), so if you know of any other places, please leave a comment. We will update this post as we discover more!
Here are places in the Triangle to watch the Football World Cup for 2022.
The Bridge DTR (Formerly London Bridge Pub)
As Dani Rojas from Richmond (Ted Lasso’s team) would say, at this Raleigh pub, “Football is Life”.
With its dark-paneled walls, tall taps, and football paraphernalia adorning all the walls, the Bridge DTR reminds us so much of pub life in Britain and Ireland.
The Bridge DTR is the home of the Raleigh Liverpool supporters club (LFC Raleigh), but all fans are welcome and only enhance the fun rivalry atmosphere!
It can get packed in here, so we recommend reserving your spot. For more breathing room or BIG games we recommend the outdoor patio area where you’ll find a large projector screen.
Inside will be multiple large TV screens throughout both sides of the pub.
Bring your patience as bar and restroom lines will be long, but it’s definitely worth experiencing a World Cup soccer match here.
The Bridge DTR will be open for every match including the ones at 5am, and on Thanksgiving Day. They’ll be splitting their two bars into team sides for games played at the same time. e.g. on Nov 29, USA and England play at the same time (but not each other). USA fans can go on one side, and England on the other!
One of the biggest games to watch here will be in fact when the USA plays England the day after Thanksgiving. We have reserved a patio table, and I’m sure many ans will have that day off work!
You can reserve booths, seats, tables and English breakfasts in advance, as well as general admission tickets (which is recommended as this place gets busy, especially for big games).
Reservations will guarantee you a seat or a table but if a table or seat has not been reserved, it is still first come first serve.
Soccer Fan Fest, Moore Sq (Nov 25)
While most options for watching the World Cup soccer in Raleigh will be pubs – and not always the best options for kids (although many are family-friendly), there is one day that is a soccer celebration for everyone!
On Friday, November 25, Raleigh Parks and Downtown Raleigh Alliance will be hosting a free soccer extravaganza in Moore Square.
There will be a live viewing of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matchup, USA vs England, at 2pm on a giant LED screen.
There’ll also be a soccer skills clinic, the chance to play Knockerball, human foosball, Teqball and giant soccer, arts and crafts, international food trucks and a beer garden!
Well done Raleigh for putting this fun community event on – just like they do in Europe! We may pop over for a look while we’re at London Bridge pub for that game.
- Address: 201 S Blount St, Raleigh
Fortnight Brewing, Cary & Wake Forest
Another English themed bar showing the World Cup games will be Fortnight Brewing in Cary. This brewery started after the English owner missed a pint of the traditional English Ale.
One side of Fortnight is a cozy English pub style, perfect for watching soccer games in the cooler November temps.
The other side is the relatively new Terminal Bar, a larger and more open event and bar space with TVs and an outdoor seating area attached. It’s a regular place we like to hang out, especially in the summer.
It’s family-friendly for those who have kids who love soccer and there are usually food trucks every day.
Their new Wake Forest location has a large covered and heated outdoor seating area and five large screen TVs for the sport.
Who wouldn’t want to drink a pint of traditional, locally brewed, English cask ale while watching soccer?
English Ale is Life.
- Address: 1006 SW Maynard Rd, Cary
- Event schedule here (although not a lot of info!)
Doherty’s Irish Pub, Cary & Apex
Doherty’s is World Cup ready with their two locations in Wake County: Apex and Cary.
This Irish Pub will have game day specials for the World Cup soccer matches including $15 buckets of Yuengling, $5 drafts and 99c wings.
They also have a free to play bracket to win a Yuengling Grizzly Cooler.
This neighborhood pub is a favorite for it’s warm, friendly, and homey atmosphere (the Irish way) and it’s classically delicious Irish menu. The Irish owner takes pride in pouring a proper pint of Guinness. There is just no other way to drink it.
- Address:
- 1979 High House Rd, Cary
- 5490 Apex Peakway, Apex
- See their schedule here
Bull McCabes Irish Pub, Durham
Why not take a day trip to Durham to see how our Triangle neighbors celebrate soccer?
Bull McCabes has an awesome backyard perfect for gathering with friends and enjoying a festival soccer spirit. They love showing live sports here both indoor and outdoor (including enclosed, heated patio).
It’s located right in the center of Downtown at the historic five points intersection.
At Bull’s, all seating will be first come first serve and all games will be shown on TV. If matches are played at the same time, the volume will be turned up for the matches with the most supporters – so be loud in your nation’s colors!
- Address: 427 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
- Check the schedule of games McCabes is showing here.
The Boot Room, Durham
Like The London Bridge Pub, The Boot Room in Durham is a soccer pub.
In this case, “Soccer is Life ” as it’s the supporter’s club bar in Durham for the American Outlaws, an organization that gathers together passionate and enthusiastic support for men’s, women’s and youth national soccer teams.
It’s also the supporters club for Barcelona, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan so football is also life.
The Boot Room is located next to Beer Study and Starpoint Brewing in Durham. They have sandwiches, burgers, big salads, and appetizers and games are playing on multiple outdoor and indoor TVs.
- Address: 2501 University Dr, Durham, NC 27707
- You can see their World Cup game schedule here.
Hibernian, Glenwood Ave & North Raleigh
Another great pub in Raleigh to watch the soccer is the legendary Hibernian Pub. Being an Irish Pub they show English Premier League Football and 6 Nations Rugby games, which we’ve seen plenty of in their Glenwood Ave Location.
This location is a two-story establishment with a rooftop patio. It’s a top spot to watch the game if you’re craving typical Irish fare like Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Fish’n Chips and of course a Guiness.
They also have a North Raleigh location near Lafayette Village.
They have not released any information about their World Cup watch parties. I can’t imagine them not showing it, even though Ireland sadly did not make the World Cup.
- Address:
- 311 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
- 8021 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615
The Winchester Pub & Bottleshop, North Raleigh
Labeling themselves as a Futbol-Forward, Craft-Aligned pub-style bottle shop, the Windchester in North Raleigh will give you a cozy atmosphere to watch the game paired with craft beer.
There’s no food here, but they are okay with you bringing something in from the nearby eateries.
- Address: 6164 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
- See their watch party schedule here.
Tell us in the comments where you’ll be watching the World Cup Soccer matches?
