Oh my, here we go. That win over Switzerland — my God. We might have spent most of the match playing like kittens but didn’t Southgate’s boys roar like lions by the end?
On Wednesday, Kane and Co. face the Netherlands, with an 8pm kick-off (the other semi-final, Spain v France, takes place at 8pm on the day before). Put your faith in Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Pickford, Jude Bellingham. Might they just, somehow, do it again?
Who knows. But there’s more to life than the footy — plenty more sport, too. From Wimbledon to F1, the Tour de France to the Olympics, here’s where to catch it all.
The Euros
Look, it’s not been the greatest campaign of recent times, but we’re through. On Saturday, at 5pm, Southgate’s boys face Switzerland, hoping to show the Swiss where they can shove their Toblerone. Scrape through that, and the semi might be all right, with the team avoiding France, Portugal, Spain and Germany en route to the final. Here’s where to scream along — the three Boxparks have been omitted as they typically sell out in a matter of minutes. These are the best of the rest. Read our full guide here.
Big Penny Social
Screens both inside and out at the Walthamstow brewery and an excellent array of beers, too. The venue also has pyrotechnics ready for big moments, with a live band for the England games.
1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL, bigpennysocial.co.uk
Dalston Roofpark
In the heart of east London, Dalston Roofpark has transformed its warehouse into a “fan zone”. And so less natural wine, more anti-glare screens, DJs, and, reportedly, a few football legends milling about.
The Print House, 18-22 Ashwin Street, E8 3DL, dalstonroofpark.com
TOCA Social
At Toca Social at the O2, it’s a full-on immersive offering, with a penalty shoot-out game and various other activities. Drinks, too, and huge screens in communal areas, private ones in bookable rooms.
The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX, toca.social
Clapham Grand
One of south London’s prime spots to watch just about anything. Its 24ft, HD cinema screen is alluring. For the Euros, there will be six extra screens on the balcony, all showing England fixtures.
The Clapham Grand, 21-25 St John’s Hill, SW11 1TT, claphamgrand.com
Flat Iron Square
Flat Iron Square might be the place with the most televisions: 18, inside and out. Fan zones promise celebrity appearances, there’s a tap room for beer, and street food stalls dotted around serving burgers, pizzas and more.
45 Southwark Street, SE1 9HP, flatironsquare.co.uk
Wimbledon
Strawberries and cream at the ready. Wimbledon is under way, but the big days are still to come. Things to look out for? Emma Raducanu in her first Wimbledon for two years, Andy Murray back so soon after surgery (not for the singles, alas, but still the doubles), and rising star Jack Draper. Read our fill guide here.
St James’s Market
This smartly finished courtyard is kitted out with Wimbledon-themed decor and deckchairs and with plenty of bars, restaurants and bakeries nearby to keep the crowd fully fuelled, it should be a solid option for the centre of town.
Regent Street, SW1Y 4HA, stjameslondon.co.uk
Screen on the Canal
As part of the King’s Cross open-air film festival, this year running until August 18, the waterside screen will be showing the biggest matches from across the tournament, from noon until 5pm daily. It’s not ticketed, so get down there early.
Canalside Steps, Granary Square, N1C 4BH, kingscross.co.uk
Islington Square
The food-forward tennis screenings at Islington Square are set to be underpinned by the Urban Food Fest, serving fare from the likes of Megan’s, OMNOM and Bewliehill alongside plenty of cocktail offers.
116 Upper Street, N1 1AB, islingtonsquare.com
Summer in the Square
Bright yellow deckchairs mark the summer series in the idyllic Portman Square, which besides the screenings themselves is welcoming local restaurants for its guest kitchen, including Trishna and the Zetter Townhouse. Healthy types can get involved with the wellness den, too.
Portman Square, W1 6LT, makeitmarylebone.co.uk
St Katharine Docks
The novelty here is that the matches are screened upon a floating pontoon and there are boats all around. Sink into a deck chair, or grab a bench or table, and watch the live action unfold as you bob along in the water.
St Katharine Marina, E1W 1LA, skdocks.co.uk
The Olympics
Ready… set… go. At this year’s Olympic Games, 350 British athletes are ready to take on the world, collectively aiming to surpass the 64 medals — including 22 golds — won in Tokyo in 2020. Look out for skateboarder Sky Brown, just 15, who could take home a gold medal. Keely Hodgkinson in the 800m, Bradly Sinden in the taekwondo, and gymnasts Jessica Gadirova and Bryony Page are also hot favourites.
Eccleston Yards
Plenty of food and drink options here, while the spacious spot in the large courtyard should guarantee a solid few hours of glorious sunshine each day (although it’s July in England, so let’s not get carried away).
Eccleston Place, SW1W 9NF, belgravialdn.com
Grosvenor Square
Grosvenor Square will be transformed into a sporting hub throughout the Olympics as one of numerous official Team GB “fan zones”. The Mayfair location has space for around 10,000, with various bars and food stands, and will be screening games in a family friendly environment. Free entry.
Grosvenor Square, W1K 6AN, mayfairldn.com
Battersea Power Station
This year, one of south London’s hottest attractions will become another Team GB fan zone and will show all the sporting action on a giant screen alongside free activities. Alongside live screenings, Power Station Park will host a 100m running track, “giant games” such as chess and Connect 4, and exercises classes for all ages, all free.
Circus Road, SW11 8DD, batterseapowerstation.co.uk
Lewis Cubitt Square
There will be live coverage of all the games on a big screen, complete with deck chairs, green spaces and flags abound. Fans are invited to enjoy the sporting action alongside live DJ sets, Olympic-themed activities, Q&As with athletes and special medal celebrations.
11 Stable Street, N1C 4DR, kingscross.co.uk
Summer by the River
There’s a free outdoor festival in London Bridge throughout summer 2024, with three locations along the banks of the river showing everything from Test cricket to Wimbledon to the Olympics. Screenings take place across three locations. The Scoop, a sunken area with in-built seating and space for 800, will be the place for Olympics fans. Pop-up bars and street food stalls will keep all fed and watered.
The Scoop at More, SE1 2AA, londonbridgecity.co.uk
Tour de France
This year’s Tour is already making headlines: huge congratulations to Biniam Girmay for making history as the first black African to win a Tour de France stage, and bad luck to Sir Mark Cavendish, who had his hopes of claiming his 35th stage scuppered when a crash got in his way. Here’s where to pedal to.
Rapha
The stylish Rapha Clubhouse will have the races projected in its café space. It’s an elegant spot to watch from, but given where it is — surrounded by pubs and restaurants — a convenient one too, for pre-or-post race pick-me-ups.
85 Brewer Street, W1F 9ZN, rapha.cc
The Dynamo
Settling in for a long one? The Dynamo has you covered: this cycling-themed café, restaurant and bar has coffee and pastries, pizza and beer. There’s even a decent amount of outside space to soak up the sun. The races will be shown, and for those cycling down, there are a series of vertical bike racks indoors.
200-204 Putney Bridge Road, SW15 2NA, the-dynamo.co.uk
Pedal Back Cycling
This colourful, cheerful bike repair shop has long been a favourite not just with locals but those from elsewhere who come for the sense of community here. Its cafe will have the Tour de France on; stop by for a coffee and a toastie and catch a stage.
24 Lillie Road, SW6 1TS, pedalbackcycling.com
The F1
This weekend’s race from Silverstone comes exactly halfway through the season, with Monaco and Miami out of the way. Max Verstappen leads the title race by some distance, but there’s still just about time for Lando Norris to wrestle it from him.
Beechwood
Beechwood here doing some heavy lifting, as it represents all the ETM bars across town (Greenwood, Redwood and so on). These are sports-dedicated bars: usually, whatever your preferred flavour is catered for, although no word on televised tiddly-winks. They do, however, do Hamilton and co screeching around Silverstone.
Worship Street, EC2A 2FA, beechwoodsportspub.com
The Chequers
The Chequers is going sports mad this summer, with the tennis and football alongside the F1. It’s a good one for the long races, with decent beers on, cocktails too, and food to keep everyone in cheery spirits.
145 High Street, E17 7BX, chequerse17.com
The Parcel Yard
A pub in a station, but one that’s had the kitchen sink thrown at it. The Parcel Yard has made its name on screening the sport and somehow has just about every fixture across the sporting world on, including cricket, rugby and various Grand Prix. The British, Hungarian and Belgian races can all be booked. More races are expected.
