6 min read.JPG)
IT'S COMING HOME! With England going head-to-head with Croatia on Wednesday in the Semi-Finals, we’ve compiled some of the best places to catch the action in Manchester.
BIG Screens:
Castlefield Bowl - NOW SOLD OUT
8000 supporters for England's game which kicks off at 7pm, it's expected to be the main fanzone in Manchester to catch all the action.
You won't be allowed to take drinks inside the venue, however there will be bars once inside.
Those interested in attending must register for tickets, which will be made available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Ticket registration will open today (Monday, 9 July) at 5pm via ticketline. (booking fee only)
Strict security measures will be in place, so guests are advised to follow guidelines in order to be allowed entry that will be publicised alongside ticket information.
Albert Hall - with free entry and a capacity of 2,300
Victoria Warehouse - Indoor & Outdoor Fanzone
Best of the rest:
Hotel Football
Open rooftop screening
5 x 3m LED screen
Cash bar
Seating for 200
All ages welcome
£4.00 entry
Bookings available via the Hotel Football website.
Boasting 9 state-of-the art screens with live broadcasting from sky and BT Sport, Directors’ Box have the ability to show 4 different sporting events at the same time – although, we’d think less of them should they be broadcasting anything but the England game on Saturday! If you’re after great food and first class hospitality to boot, then it’ll be back of the net for Directors’ Box.
Selected by Sky Sports and Carling as the best place to watch live sports in Manchester, Dive has everything you need to cure that World Cup fever. With big screens throughout the venue, and bookable private areas – you’re in for optimal viewing at this venue. Screening every match from every nation, Dive have deals on mid-week matches, irresistible food from their specially created sports menu and a wide selection of craft beers, spirits, and signature sharing cocktails.
A sports bar with a difference, The Green offers you the chance to test your golf swing with indoor simulators, thrash your mates at pool or fussball, or play Xbox, all whilst showing the World Cup 2018 fixtures on their glorious high definition 15ft big screens. With 2 bars over two floors and a canal side patio, we wouldn’t blame you for spending the entire day here…
Newly added to our round-up is Dukes 92 who are setting up a huge outdoor LED screen in their beautiful canalside courtyard. Grab yourself a bite to eat from their upmarket Dukes Van menu, watch the match and then dance the night away with their post-match DJ. They're onto a winner with this one!
Head to Northern Quarter fave, Common, who’ll be going all out showing every game of the World Cup 2018 on a big, huge screen. The beer will be flowing faster than ever with their Flensburger Beer Towers, where you can buy a big ol’ table top Flensburger dispenser. Cheers! And if you’re a bit late to the World Cup party, you can pick up a free Common World Cup wall chart whilst you’re at it!
Showing every World Cup fixture live, Tib Street Tavern offers great classic pub food and drink and is also dog friendly, so you can take your four-legged friend along in case you need a shoulder to cry on!
Café Football
With two locations – one at the National Football Museum and another at Hotel Football next to Old Trafford, the aptly named Hotel Football has even created a special menu for the World Cup season. During non-England fixtures, Café Football will be running a classic bingo game, where fans can win prizes whilst cheering on their teams with the opportunity to win prizes from free pints to meals for ten. They’ve also created their very own sticker album featuring illustrations from Manchester-born artists Stan Chow and Neil Roberts, which will be available to collect. Any football fan would be a fool not to visit!
Twenty Twenty Two - Northern Quarter
You’ll be opened up to a whole new world where the unlikely duo, Ping-Pong and (of course) football, combine forces for an unforgettable World Cup experience. Make your way underground for all-night happy hours during England’s Group games and for those extra dedicated, you can hire your very own private room for the occasion. Half time Ping-Pong anyone?
The Courtyard
With Ultra HD screens including 2 big screens inside and out, The Courtyard will be screening all World Cup fixtures live with sound. With great value food and drink, a huge outdoor area and cocktails from £2, The Courtyard is a top spot for catching to World Cup action.
Screening every match live from Russia on their HD screens, Walkabout at The Printworks is a great option if you’re in a group. With the option to book tables and add food and drinks packages in advance, you know you’ll be sorted when you get there!
Based in the heart of Manchester, Mulligans of Deansgate will be serving up the World Cup with one of the best pints of Guinness the city has to offer. With over 9 screens based over 2 floors, catching the beautiful game in Manchester's oldest Irish pub is a no-brainer.
Definately the most luxurious venue to watch the match - you won't be short of comfort with this cinematic experience. Take a seat in a velvet armchair set in the private screening room of King Street Townhouse - but make sure you tackle your way there early as there's only 20 seats up for grabs!
Enjoy 136 inches of World Cup viewing glory at Second City. With other screens dotted about, ample seats for weary penalty-nerved legs and a World Cup menu, this place makes an excellent choice for a trophy winning atmosphere. There’s even a PS4 if you fancied a bit of FIFA action.
If you prefer an outdoor screen, head to Impossible which is located outside the Great Northern Warehouse. It's proven extremely popular, with large gatherings making it a true atmospheric experience. Don't worry if you need to nip to the bar during either as there's an indoor screen too - SCORE!
Still struggling with football fever?
Check out the world’s biggest and best football museum - the National Football Museum and delve into the social history and culture of the beautiful game. Right now and until the 15 July, the National Football Museum is showing the ‘Fabric of Football: World Cup Classics’ which showcases a themed selection of match-worn shirts, which will rotate on a regular basis. Each display will chart a journey through the evolution of football shirt design and the development of new technologies, highlighting exceptional creativity and recalling significant moments in football history.
