The biggest football tournament on the planet is coming this summer, and with home nations in the mix (congratulations again, Scotland), late-night kick-offs, and pubs staying open later than ever, there's never been a better time to book a venue and watch with a crowd. Here's everything that we think at DesignMyNight, you need to know about watching the World Cup in London this year.
DesignMyNight is here to help you book your 2026 World Cup tables and experiences.
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11th June to 19th July 2026, hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It's the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, meaning more matches, more late nights, and in our opinion, more reasons to get your tickets, or tables booked pronto. The final takes place on Sunday, 19th July at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey - kicking off at 8pm UK time.
What are the England kick-off times UK?
Good news for England fans this year, as Tuchel's side has avoided the very latest slots and all three group games fall at reasonable evening times:
- Wednesday 18th June - England vs Croatia, 9pm BST · AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Tuesday 24th June - England vs Ghana, 9pm BST · Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Saturday 28th June - Panama vs England, 10pm BST · MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
England's knockout stage schedule will very much depend on results. If they win Group L, their Round of 32 match falls on 1 July; a second-place finish means 2 July. A potential Round of 16 appearance would follow on 5 or 6 July.
What are the Scotland kick-off times UK?
Scotland's schedule is a tougher watch for fans on the sofa - but a brilliant reason to book a late-night venue or tickets:
- Saturday 14th June - Scotland vs Haiti, 2am BST · Gillette Stadium, Boston (early hours)
- Thursday 19th June - Scotland vs Morocco, 11pm BST · Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Tuesday 24th June - Brazil vs Scotland, 11pm BST · Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Will pubs be staying open late for the World Cup?
Yes, and this is really big news for fans. The Home Secretary has confirmed that pubs in England will be able to apply for extended opening hours for knockout stage matches, should any home nation progress beyond the group stage.
- Most knockout fixtures: venues can stay open until 1am
- 10pm kick-off matches: venues can stay open until 2am
- Pubs can also apply for temporary licences for any fixtures that run beyond 2am
In Scotland, Glasgow venues will be granted permission to stay open 30 minutes after full-time for the entire tournament, meaning the Haiti match could see doors open until 4:15am. Aberdeen and other council areas have also confirmed late licence provisions. This is the first time in 10 years that extended licensing has applied from the Round of 32 onwards, not just the latter stages.
Should I book a table in advance to watch the World Cup?
Most definitely, and we think our data backs this up. Based on booking patterns from previous tournaments, venues fill up fast, and pre-planning is the difference between a great night and being turned away at the door.
According to our proprietary data, the World Cup drew 750,000 searches in 2022 alone, with a further 142,000 sports-related searches per year on the platform. Demand is real, and it converts; no-show rates for sports event bookings are just 1.12%, compared to a typical average of 3.67%, meaning almost everyone who books actually turns up.
Booking lead times from past tournaments show that nearly half of all reservations (44.7%) are made 4–7 days before the match, with a further 26.6% booking 1 to 3 days out. The average lead time is 8.9 days. In short and for you footie fans: don't leave it to the week of the game if you want the best spot.
How far in advance should I book a World Cup table?
The sweet spot is 7 to 10 days before the match you want to watch. For England games especially, expect availability to go quickly, particularly for the 9pm and 10pm kick-offs, where demand will be highest. For the biggest matches (any England knockout game, the semi-finals, and the final), 2 to 3 weeks ahead is sensible, particularly if you're a group of more than six.
World Cup at the Leather Bottle.
What size group should I book for?
The average World Cup watch party group is around 5 to 6 people, and the most common booking size across sporting events is between 3 and 6 guests. That said, groups of 7–10 make up over a fifth of all bookings, so don't worry if you're a larger squad, just make sure you book ahead and flag your group size when reserving.
Most venues offer reserved tables rather than standing areas, and that's intentional; fans strongly prefer a guaranteed seat with a clear sightline over a general admission area. When booking, ask specifically for a table rather than an area, and confirm the screen view as this means your best chance of catching all of the action.
How long should I book a table for?
For a World Cup evening match, the ideal booking time is 3 to 4 hours - we think this comfortably covers pre-match atmosphere, the full 90 minutes (plus extra time if needed), and post-match celebrations or commiserations. The most popular booking duration at sporting events is 3 hours (180 minutes), followed closely by 4 hours (240 minutes). If you're booking for a potential extra-time or penalty shootout scenario (knockouts), consider asking for a 4-hour slot to avoid being caught mid-drama.
Is it worth pre-ordering food and drinks?
Yes, which is helpful both for you and for the venue, in our opinion. Over half of fans (51%) say they'll pre-order if there's a special deal or offer attached, making pre-order packages a smart way to guarantee your round is waiting when kick-off arrives. Data from Euros 2024 shows what people are actually spending when they watch football out:
- Average beer spend: £13.40 per order
- Average food spend: £27.58 per order
- Average wine spend: £19.76 per order
- Buckets or jugs of beer are the most popular add-on items at World Cup events
- On England match days, customers spend an average of £2.71 more per head than on non-England days
The reserved table spend across Euros 2024 averaged £133.44 per visit - a strong signal that pre-booked, committed groups spend more and stay longer.
What do people look for when booking a World Cup venue?
According to our 2026 World Cup Survey:
- 41% say atmosphere is their top priority when booking
- 37% say big screens are their second most important factor
- 64% say a poor view of the match would ruin their experience
- 82% would rather miss a drink order than miss a goal, so screen placement and sight-lines matter more than fast service
- 47% would pay extra for a prime viewing spot
- 46% are happy to watch matches outside, rooftop and beer garden options are worth promoting
- The average group size people plan to go out in is 9.3 people
- 40% are already planning to book a venue or buy tickets for World Cup 2026 events
World Cup at Broadwood.
Are there ticketed World Cup events at pubs and bars?
Many venues host ticketed screenings with packages that include entry, a reserved seat, and food and drink deals. Based on Tonic Ticketing data, the average ticket price for World Cup hospitality events is significantly higher than for other tournaments - 60% higher than Euros 2024 equivalents, with an average basket value around 50% higher than the Euros too. The most popular add-ons at ticketed events are buckets or jugs of beer. If you're looking for a premium, guaranteed experience, especially for the knockout rounds, ticketed events offer the best way to secure your spot and know exactly what you're getting.
Find tickets to watch the World Cup in London →
Where can I book a venue to watch the World Cup?
DesignMyNight is the UK's leading platform for finding and booking pubs, bars and venues for sports screenings, events, and hospitality packages. You can search by location, group size, and event type to find venues showing World Cup matches near you, from local pubs with big screens to rooftop bars and exclusive private hire spaces.
Find somewhere to watch the World Cup in London →
DesignMyNight's Top Tips For Booking The 2026 World Cup
- Book 7 to 10 days out for group stage games, earlier for knockout rounds
- Always book a table not just an area, to guarantee your sightline
- Ask about pre-order packages to save time on the night and often unlock better value
- Check the screen setup before you book, 64% of fans say a bad view ruins the experience
- Consider ticketed events for the biggest matches, they sell out and offer the best guarantee of a seat and a view
- For late-night knockout games, check whether your venue has applied for extended licensing so you're not watching the final whistle at home
Licensing information based on current government announcements, we recommend you always check with your venue or event directly for their specific opening hours if you're unsure, as these can be subject to change
