Last Updated on 31 July 2026 by Dave King
The 2026 World Cup is into its closing stages, and the biggest games are still to come, with the semi-finals on 14 and 15 July and the final on Sunday 19 July. Brighton has some brilliant places to watch the World Cup in Brighton, from the city’s huge fan zone at the Amex to a giant screen on the beach and cosy neighbourhood pubs. This guide covers where to catch the knockout rounds and the final, the best spots for England’s games, and the practical things worth knowing, like kick-off times and why booking ahead is a good idea.
England topped Group L, beat DR Congo in the round of 32 and Mexico in the round of 16, and now face Norway in the quarter-finals on Saturday 11 July at 10pm UK time. There is still plenty to play for, and the semi-finals and final then move back to 8pm UK kick-offs. Below is where to catch the biggest remaining fixtures.
Table of Contents
Venues featured in this guide
| Venue | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| The Terrace, the Amex | Falmer | The big fan-zone experience |
| Central Park | Brighton Beach | A 5,000-capacity beach fanpark |
| Brighton Palace Pier | Seafront | A giant outdoor screen by the sea |
| Bench Bar | Seafront | Big screens by the West Pier |
| The Metropole Bar | Seafront | Advertised England screenings on the seafront |
| The King & Queen | Central | The city’s largest sports bar |
| North Laine Brewhouse | Central | A favourite for big matches |
The Amex fan zone
One of the bigger places to check for World Cup screenings in Brighton is The Terrace, the fan zone at Brighton & Hove Albion’s American Express Stadium. Opened in 2025, it is the largest fan zone in the Premier League, with a covered capacity of 1,000 that expands to around 3,000 when the outdoor space is open. During the tournament, The Terrace has hosted ticketed World Cup screenings, including England v DR Congo on 1 July.
Check the official booking page for the latest knockout listings before travelling, as future fixtures may be added or changed. It is a short hop out to Falmer on the train, since the stadium has its own station, so it is worth planning your trip on our guide to getting the train to Brighton and the Falmer line.
Watching by the sea
Few cities can offer a World Cup screening right on the beach, but Brighton can. Brighton Palace Pier is showing many of the remaining fixtures on a large outdoor screen, with Horatios Bar on the pier also putting games on, so you can watch with the sea on both sides of you. It sits right alongside the main Brighton beach, so you can make an evening of it.
The other big seafront option is Central Park on Brighton Beach, a 5,000-capacity open-air fanpark at the Black Rock site run by fanpark specialists 4theFans. It is putting on ticketed screenings on a giant screen, with a big sound system, DJs, food and drink and a proper beach-party atmosphere, and it is one of the standout spots to catch the quarter-final and the final. Match-day sessions open before kick-off, with times varying by fixture, and tickets are best booked in advance.
Along the seafront, Bench Bar by the West Pier is a dedicated sports bar with big screens and sea views to go with the football. OHSO Social, on the beach near the pier, has a large heated and covered terrace, making it a good shout whatever the weather.
Pubs showing England’s games
If you want to be among England fans for the Three Lions’ matches, several pubs and bars have advertised World Cup screenings or England-match offers. The Metropole Bar on the seafront has advertised big-screen England World Cup screenings, but check current knockout availability before travelling. Up in Hanover, The Hartington is a friendly neighbourhood local with a popular beer garden and matchday drink offers, a great spot to watch with a relaxed crowd away from the busy centre.
Shelter Hall, the seafront food hall, is also showing the tournament, and its Skylark space can be booked for a private matchday setup with its own bar and screen. For something out of the centre, The Railway Inn in Portslade is a large community pub doing team-themed food and deals through the tournament. For more options in that vein, our roundup of the best bars in Brighton for a night out is a good place to start.
Classic sports bars
Brighton has plenty of reliable sports bars that show all the big football, and any of them is a solid place to watch the World Cup in Brighton. The King & Queen bills itself as the city’s largest sports bar, with huge projector screens across the venue. North Laine Brewhouse is a longtime favourite for big matches, pairing its own beers with the football.
The Font has screens wherever you look and a lively, party feel, while the Lion & Lobster is showing fixtures on its screens, with booking recommended for England matches. Walkabout, the Australian-style bar, has large HD screens and the full range of sports channels. For the complete picture, see our full guide to the best sports bars in Brighton.
The road to the final: dates and kick-off times
The tournament is now in the knockout stage, and the remaining rounds run through July to the final. England’s next fixture is now confirmed as Norway v England in the quarter-finals on Saturday 11 July at 10pm UK time. It is still worth checking the official knockout schedule for the latest fixtures, but the remaining round dates and headline UK kick-off times are:
- Quarter-finals: 9 to 12 July, including Norway v England on Saturday 11 July at 10pm UK time
- Semi-finals: Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 July, both 8pm UK time
- Final: Sunday 19 July, 8pm UK time
All 104 matches are available free-to-air in the UK across BBC and ITV, with streaming on BBC iPlayer and ITVX, but venues still choose which fixtures they screen, so check ahead for anything other than England games and the final. The earlier rounds had some very late UK kick-offs because the games are played across the United States, Canada and Mexico, but the semi-finals and the final all start at 8pm here, which makes them ideal for a proper night out.
Tips for matchday
A few things are worth knowing before you go. For England’s games and the final especially, the best spots fill up fast, so book a table or arrive early if you can. Some venues run special late hours during the tournament, but it is worth checking, as not every pub stays open to the final whistle on the latest games. And because which pub is showing which game can change, a quick look at a venue’s website or a call ahead saves disappointment.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to watch the World Cup in Brighton?
For the biggest fan-zone atmosphere, The Terrace at the Amex and Central Park on Brighton Beach are the two headline options. For something more casual by the sea, Brighton Palace Pier has a large outdoor screen, and seafront sports bars like Bench Bar are excellent too.
Where can I watch England’s games in Brighton?
The Metropole Bar, The Hartington in Hanover and big sports bars like The King & Queen are among the places showing England matches, while Central Park has listed a quarter-final screening and the World Cup Final. The Terrace at the Amex is also worth checking for updated knockout listings. Book ahead for England fixtures and the final, as they fill quickly.
What time do the World Cup games kick off in the UK?
It varies by round because the tournament is played across North America, but the semi-finals on 14 and 15 July and the final on 19 July all kick off at 8pm UK time, which makes the biggest games the easiest to watch live.
Do I need to book a table?
For the fan zones and the popular sports bars, booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially for England’s games and the final. Some smaller pubs take walk-ins, but seats go fast on the biggest nights.
Is the World Cup free to watch on TV?
Yes. Every match is available free-to-air in the UK across BBC and ITV, with streaming on BBC iPlayer and ITVX, but pubs and bars still choose which fixtures they show, so check ahead.
Final thoughts
With England’s quarter-final, the semi-finals and the final still to come, there is no shortage of places to watch the World Cup in Brighton, from a 5,000-capacity fan park on the beach to a friendly local with the game on and a pint in hand. Pick your spot, book ahead for the big nights, and enjoy the run to the final.
