Cheering on Gareth Southgate and the lads. Singing Sweet Caroline and Three Lions. Watching world-class footballers in action. That’s right, the World Cup is back and football fever is taking over once again. 

The World Cup this year looks a little different. While we’d usually spend the summer months in a beer garden cheering on the lads, this year it’s being hosted in winter which means fans will probably want to take to indoor venues. Luckily, you don’t have to miss any of the action or the atmosphere, as Greater Manchester has some incredible plans to help you enjoy the beautiful game in style. 

Whether you’d enjoy a cosy pub, a lively sports bar or something a little different, Greater Manchester can hit the back of the net. 

Everyone has a favourite football pub across the city region but, if you fancy stepping out of your local pub this winter, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting fan parks and unusual venues to make this World Cup the most memorable yet, giving you the stadium atmosphere to cheer on the lads. 

Will football be coming home this year? Find out at one of these incredible venues: 

Road to Victory

Road to Victory at Depot Mayfield 

Road to Victory is hosting Europe’s largest World Cup fan party at Mayfield Depot, home of Manchester’s infamous Warehouse Project. With the largest screen in Europe, multi-sensory technology and capacity for over 6,000 guests, you’re in for an unforgettable match experience. Road to Victory is going all out to make this fan park incredible, with an entrance resembling a stadium concourse, pre and post-match DJs, quizzes and entertainment alongside delicious food and drink from multiple bars and vendors. There will even be competitions and giveaways for your chance to win top-of-the-league prizes. This fan park will offer an unrivalled atmosphere, just make sure you’re ready to chant and cheer. Prices start from £9.50. 

Trafford Centre Outdoor Fan Zone 

The Trafford Centre is hosting a free fan zone for the World Cup with its own dedicated Giant Screen. The Trafford Centre will be showing every single World Cup game in a celebration of world-class football. You can watch the games for free, and there is free parking at the Trafford Centre. There will also be a bar so if you want to enjoy a beverage or two while cheering on the lads, you’re more than welcome. This fan zone is outside though, so make sure you wrap up warm! 

4TheFans Manchester Fan Park 

Head to Manchester’s newest mixed-use cultural destination Love Factory, for a unique match-day experience. With live commentary by guests from TalkSport, Food by the award-winning Ate Days a Week Pies (because what’s better than a halftime pie?) and a classic football shirt exhibition of World Cup jerseys showcasing some of the most memorable moments from World Cups past. Of course, food and drink will be available in Love Factory and groups can even book a private hospitality box. Prices start from £6. 

Grub’s Cinema Room 

Grub prides itself on being one of Manchester’s friendliest places to watch sports, and the World Cup will be no exception. Guests can choose from three locations. First, Chapeltown Picture House, where you can watch the game on the biggest screen in the venue in a 100 seater cinema. Groups of five to ten can take a table in the cosy Hall, complete with fairy lights. Finally, groups of four or fewer can head to The Basement Bar where you’ll find over 20 local beers on draft. Wherever you watch the beautiful game at Grub, you’ll find bars with local beers, hot drinks and more alongside a line-up of Manchester’s best street food stalls serving dishes from all cuisines. Tickets start from £5 but all ticket prices are a deposit which can be reclaimed against drinks. 

Escape to Freight Island  

Escape to Freight Island is hosting a Festival of Football to celebrate the World Cup this winter. Completely free to attend and housed across different areas and zones within the venue with a special pub zone and family zone for a more inclusive football experience the whole family can enjoy. There will be special food and drink offerings from some of Escape to Freight Island’s greatest vendors and Camden Town Brewery will have bookable tables with free-flowing pints. There will also be half-time entertainment from local musicians and performers. Across the venue, Escape to Freight Island will also host pop-up shops selling vintage football memorabilia, and a series of interactive games, pub quizzes, and special guest appearances. Book free tickets here. 

World Cup Fan Zone Victoria Warehouse 

Victoria Warehouse’s brand new event space The Tobacco Stores will be showing every England game on HD screens this winter. Bringing the stadium atmosphere to this event space, get ready to shout, cheer and hopefully celebrate. With football-themed street food and music to get you in the mood, enjoy a trophy-winning fan experience. Tickets start from £2. 

Box Deansgate 

Box Bar is dedicated to showing every second of the festive football action from this year’s World Cup. This bustling sports bar always has a great atmosphere, and more importantly a large number of screens so you won’t miss a second of the action. With food, drinks offers and even shuffleboard available, Box is a great place to catch the on-pitch action and make some world-cup memories. Boz will be showing every match during the World Cup and promises to give you a front-row seat to the action. 

Jimmy’s 

What could be better than football with a free pint? Not much. And that’s exactly what Jimmy’s is offering. Pre-book online to watch the England games at Jimmy’s and everyone in your party will get a free pint on arrival. All matches will be shown upstairs on a projector, giving you a huge screen! Plus, if you’re in the mood for celebrating afterwards, this Ancoats bar has one of the greatest rock and alternative soundtracks in all of Manchester. The perfect place to belt out some tunes if England wins. 

Point Blank 

Point Blank is putting down its guns in the name of football. Leaving the shooting to the lads on the pitch, Manchester’s hooting bar will be using its 132-inch screens to show England’s matches at the 2022 World Cup. These huge screens should give you an epic view of every goal scored. The £8 lunch club deal will be available to anyone hoping to catch the midday kick-offs (12-4 pm) and special food and drinks packages for groups of over eight will be available too. Book now. 

The Pen and Pencil 

When we say the Pen and Pencil will be showing every game in the World Cup, we mean it. That’s an awful lot of football! Set yourself up in this Northern Quarter staple and enjoy hours of action from the pitch. There’s also 50% off on Mondays with a booking, so don’t miss out on some great deals. 

Blues Kitchen 

Manchester’s Blues Kitchen will be showing all England games from this year’s World Cups. This bar is always a hit with music lovers but now, football fans can make the most of it too. Bar food from the Southern-inspired kitchen will be available and when the final whistle blows you can carry on your celebrations with, DJs and the Blues Kitchen’s world-famous house band filling the room with classic funk, soul & rock n roll. Expect Three Lions and Sweet Caroline with a blues and soul twist. Tickets are £5 per person and there may be space for walk-ins. 

To find out what else is going on around Greater Manchester this winter, visit our What’s On page. 

If you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration, be sure to visit our blog.