The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is fast approaching and the buzz around the tournament starting to build. The games will officially get underway on Sunday, November 20 with Qatar against Ecuador, while England face Iran the following day at 1pm.
Qatar will be the first world Cup held in an Arab country and only the second to be played in Asia. Played over 29 days, games will kick off at 10am, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm and 7pm in the UK.
Fans will also be in for an action-packed affair during the group stages of the competition, from November 22 to December 2, as there will be four live matches a day. So, as World Cup fever prepares to set in, we've compiled a list of the venues across Manchester that are showing it.
And while watching with mates on a telly is fine, there’s nothing quite like getting soaked with someone else’s pint when Harry Kane scores. Of course, some spots will be rowdier than others when it comes to watching Qatar 2022, so here’s a list of the best places to watch it coming home.
Society
Hidden-away foodhall Society is absolutely worth heading to for the footie. Down by the Bridgewater Hall, it’s got scope for small or large groups, fitting 700 standing. Better still, you’re surrounded by some of the best street food vendors in town, from Slap & Pickle’s burgers to the fantastic Indian snacks and curries from Chaat Cart. That’s without mention of the bar, curated by the peerless Vocation brewery.
Basement, 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester M2 3BD
Escape To Freight Island
The sprawling outdoor and indoor spaces at Escape To Freight Island are tailor made for World Cup screenings. Inside, the games will be thrown up onto the giant screen in the Platform room, while the indoors/outdoors Plant Room will be turned into a family friendly ‘Festival of Football’ zone. Camden Town brewery will be joining in the fun, offering table bookings with ‘free flow pints’, and there will be brass bands, vintage shirts for sale, pub quizzes and ‘guest appearances’.
11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ
Read more: World Cup 2022 ultimate guide - Schedule, fixtures, UK kick off-times and stadiums
Love Factory
One of the city’s newest venues, the Love Factory’s first engagement will be providing a stunning space to watch the World Cup. A huge warehouse space, it’ll feature ‘singing terraces’, great food (pies courtesy of Ate Days A Week), huge projectors, live half-time commentators and even a five-a-side pitch. For those with deeper pockets, there will even be ‘hospitality boxes’ with snazzy flatscreens and sound systems.
11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ
Trafford Centre World Cup Fanzone
The Trafford Centre will be joining in the party with free screenings of all World Cup matches on a huge screen in a new dedicated ‘fanzone’, starting with the England vs Iran match on November 21. There’s a large bar area, food stalls, free parking (not to be sniffed at) and all ages are welcome.
The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AA
New Century
New Century will be opening up its historic ballroom in which to watch the World Cup, so perhaps those 60s vibes could usher in something else that happened regarding football, the World Cup and the England team during that feted era? Whatever the case, tickets are a bargainous £5 to enjoy the England matches in such auspicious surroundings, and you get a free pint. There's amazing food vendors downstairs too, and they'll be showing the England Iran, England USA and England Wales matches to kick off.
Corporation Street Manchester M60 4ES
Powerleague Manchester, Bolton and Bury
Out of town, the Powerleague clubs in Whalley Range, Bolton and Bury, along with all the Powerleague spots across the UK, will be open to incoming fans, showing all matches. There will be no charge to enter, and no booking required. There will be bars and food on site too.
11-18 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester M16 8GW/Long Lane Leverhulme Park BL2 6BZ/Bury college, Market St, Manchester BL9 0DB
Pong & Puck
Pong & Puck, the grown up games spot at the Great Northern warehouse, will be kicking off its World Cup screenings with the England match on November 21, kicking off at 1pm. For £15 per person, you get a free drink and as much shuffleboard, beer pong, prosecco pong and table tennis as you can squeeze in between goals. Oh, and it’s dog friendly, for those football mad hounds out there.
235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
Oast House
The Oast House won’t just be showing the World Cup matches, they’ll also be chucking out free pints too. Head to its seasonal teepee area, and you’ll be able to watch screenings of the matches, and by guessing correctly who will win during the England games, you could win yourself a free beer.
T he Avenue Courtyard, Manchester M3 3AY
Nell’s
Nell’s New York Pizza and Bar will be embracing the World Cup, screening all the England and Wales games (and especially the England Vs Wales game). Walk ins will be more than welcome, but booking is advised. It’ll be doing its 14” pizza for £7.77 from 1pm to 4pm on weekdays, not to mention its sturdy happy hour from 4pm to 7pm. The games - and offers - will also be going on at The Beagle in Chorlton, the Port Street Beer House and Common in the Northern Quarter.
20 Minshull St, Kampus M1 3EF
Box Bar
It’s kind of the Box Bar’s reason for being, so heading to the huge Deansgate sports pub perhaps feels like stating the obvious. Nevertheless, surrounded by HD TVs everywhere you look, you can catch all the World Cup matches while eating loaded fries, pizzas, and shawarma, not to mention its festive feast menu which launches on the day of the first England match.
125 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BY
The Blues Kitchen
Perhaps best known for its live music for the blues, soul and funk lovers of the world, this winter, The Blues Kitchen will be extending its offering and showcasing screenings of England’s World Cup games, live from the Concert Hall. Kicking off with England’s opening game against Iran at 1pm Monday, November 21, followed by the USA at 7pm on Friday, November 25, and finishing off the group stages against Wales, at 7pm on Tuesday, November 29.
If England are successful in the group stages, any further England games, all the way up to the final, will also be streamed from the venue. Food wise, bar snacks from the Southern-inspired kitchen will also be available during the games to order. Guests can tuck into dishes such as Buffalo Chicken Wings, Szechuan Baby Back Ribs and Cheeseburger Spring Rolls.
13 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HN
The Brotherhood
You can always count on the city centre spot to be showing the best of live sport, and The Brotherhood just off Albert Square will be running a Walk-In only policy for England games during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Tables will be available on a first come, first serve basis on the day of the event. If you're looking to make a booking for other games you can send your request to the bar via their website.
2 Mount St, Manchester M2 5WQ
You can find more pubs screening the World Cup in your area entering your postcode in the widget below.
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