D.C. may have lost its bid to host FIFA World Cup matches this year but the city’s soccer culture and international communities aren’t letting it pass unobserved. Games kick off on June 11 with endless watch parties, pickup matches, deals, and parties around the DMV.
Here are the ones we’re most excited for.
Watch Parties and Events
The People’s Pitch: Black Arrow FC at Hi-Lawn
June 11-14
Soccer and Black culture group Black Arrow is transforming the Hi-Lawn at Union Market’s rooftop into a free four-day celebration of soccer, culture and ~ vibes ~. They will be showing live match screenings on the big screen, and the venue will include DJs, food and drinks, photo ops, and a rooftop turf field.
Official FIFA Fan Zone on the National Mall
June 11-July 19
The fan zone between 3rd and 4th Streets is showing all USA matches on a giant screen, plus every knockout round game from July 4 onward. There will also be food and drinks, interactive exhibits, youth programming, and cultural showcases — open as late as 1 a.m. for some games.
Summer of Soccer Watch Zone at the Wharf
June 11-July 19
Fans can gather along Pearl Street for daily World Cup screenings on a 14-foot jumbotron screen with patio seating and direct screen views. There will also be special Team USA watch parties on June 12 and June 19 with sip-and-stroll zones, giveaways, games and fan activations.
Guerrilla FC Activations at Union Market
June 13-27
Local soccer fashion brand and community group Guerrilla FC is bringing pickup soccer, watch parties, and fashion across the Union Market neighborhood. Events kick off June 13 (1-4 p.m.) with rotating small-sided pickup games and DJs at The Yard, followed by a Brazil vs. Morocco watch party at La Cosecha (5 p.m.) for one of the tournament’s marquee opening weekend matches.
Wunder Garten and Volo Sports
June 11-July 19
Volo Sports is transforming NoMa’s favorite outdoor beer garden into a World Cup hub with watch parties, cultural celebrations, embassy collaborations, food pop-up, competitions, and international specialty brews.
United in Play Soccer Celebration
June 12-14 and June 19-21
D.C. United is hosting two celebrations — the first from June 12-14 at Franklin Park and a second from June 19-21 at Tingey Plaza. They will include youth soccer activities, chats with the team, local food vendors, music, and family-friendly programming.
Speed Dating at Astro Beer Hall in Shirlington
June 12
For when you want to watch the game but are on that dating grind. Meet other singles and enjoy themed drinks while watching the United States face down Paraguay in their first World Cup match on home soil in 32 years.
World Cup Watch Party and Beer Garden at National Harbor
June 12
Catch a full day of games on the outdoor big screen at National Harbor including Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m., followed by USA vs. Paraguay at 9 p.m. There will be giveaways and prizes throughout the night as well as a beer garden and “most team spirit” competition.
U.S. soccer fans watch the U.S. national soccer team playing against England at Franklin Hall. (Getty Images/The Washington Post)
Country-Specific Watch Locations
If you’re looking to stan a specific country with other fans and expats, these spots are showing their home team games throughout the tournament. Grab some authentic food from that country, drink foreign beer, and cheer them on in their native language.
🇦🇷 Argentina — flor coffee (Georgetown)
🇧🇪 Belgium — Dacha (Shaw/Navy Yard), The Sovereign (Georgetown)
🇧🇷 Brazil – Clarendon Ballroom (Clarendon), Mercy Me (West End)
🇨🇮 Côte d'iVoire — Spicy Water (U St. Corridor)
🇪🇬 Egypt — Fava Pot (Dupont)
🏴 England — Queen Vic (H St. NE)
🇫🇷 France — Alliance Francais (Kalorama), Penn Social (Penn Quarter)
🇩🇪 Germany — Prost (Chinatown)
🇬🇭 Ghana — Calabash (Alexandria)
🇭🇹 Haiti — Hook Hall (14th St. NW), Chez Aviole (Silver Spring)
🇯🇴 Jordan — Baila Habibi at Darna (Arlington)
🇲🇦 Morocco — Marrakesh (Downtown)
🇵🇾 Paraguay — El Patio (Rockville)
🇸🇳 Senegal — Koite Grill (College Park)
🇪🇸 Spain — Casa Teresa (Downtown), Jaleo (Penn Quarter), and others here.
🇨🇭 Switzerland — Stable (H St, NE)
🇹🇳 Tunisia — Sir Sandwich Co. (Vienna)
🇹🇷 Turkey — Borek G with free pot of tea for the table (Falls Church)
Grab a pint at Bluejacket in Navy Yard. (Courtesy of Bluejacket)
World Cup Food and Drink Deals
Throughout June and July, D.C. restaurants are going all out on World Cup specials. From $1 wings to free shots of mezcal, we rounded up all the best deals.
Gordon Ramsay Street Burger and Street Pizza (Chinatown)
June 11-July 19
Get $1 wings and $4 pints of beer when the game is on.
Nando’s PERi PERi (Multiple Locations)
June 12, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Guests wearing a soccer jersey get a free quarter chicken meal with chips and Saka Sauce — a collab with football star Bukayo Saka.
Boundary Stone (Bloomingdale)
June 11-July 19
$6 for any local draft beers during all World Cup matches.
Apapacho Taqueria (Union Market)
All Mexico games. Starts June 11.
For every goal Mexico scores, guests get a free shot of Amaras mezcal or a draft Monopolio lager. Plus, $4 Modelo, $8 margs, and $4 Carnitas Taco all game long.
Bully Spanish Steakhouse (West End)
Jun 11 – Jul 19.
Free paella during halftime of every Spain match. Plus, drink specials inspired by the countries on the pitch.
Bluejacket (Navy Yard)
June 11 - July 19
Get $10 liters of Bluejacket beer or $10 beer and shot combos whenever the game is on.
The Sovereign (Georgetown)
All U.S. or Belgium games. Starts June 12.
$6 De Halve Maan Brugse Zot Blonde Ale and half-price mussels during every U.S. and/or Belgium match.
Casa Teresa (Downtown)
June 15 at 12:00 p.m. and June 26 · 7:00 p.m.
$4 Estrella Galicia cans, $40 sangria pitchers and a free glass of cava after every Spanish victory.
