Things to do

The 10 best places to watch World Cup matches in Charlotte

The World Cup is basically turning Charlotte into one big, citywide watch party this summer. Kicking off June 11 and running through July 19, the tournament stretches over more than a month of nonstop matches and global drama.

From packed bars with standing-room-only crowds to breweries rolling out specials and giant screens, there’s no shortage of places to catch every goal, save and last-minute heartbreak.

Whether you’re there for the atmosphere, the beer, or just an excuse to yell at a TV with strangers, the city is ready.

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Here are the 10 best spots to watch the action around Charlotte:

Clutch Kitchen & Pour House

Location: 601 S. Cedar St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Clutch Kitchen has built its entire game plan around the tournament. The South End sports bar will show every match with sound on giant LED screens, serve international beers and country-inspired food specials, and keep the party going with souvenir beer boots and U.S. Soccer giveaways throughout the competition.

Courtyard Hooligans

Location: 140 Brevard Court, Charlotte, NC 28202

This place calls itself “the only place to watch soccer” in the Queen City, and there’s good news for Germany fans – DFB Charlotte, the official supporters group for the German national team, is hosting a watch party there for the squad’s first Group Stage match against Curacao.

Dilworth Neighborhood Grille

Location: 911 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28204

Dilworth Neighborhood Grille has been a go-to spot for Charlotte soccer fans for years, regularly drawing big crowds for World Cup matches. With plenty of TVs and a lively atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to watch the event.

Jackalope Jacks

Location: 1801 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Jackalope Jack’s is going all in — the NoDa bar is bringing FIFA matches to the TVs all week, reopening on Mondays for the tournament and pairing the action with live music, DJs, Hurricanes playoff watch parties and a packed lineup of nightly events.

McHale’s Pub

Location: 3112 N. Davidson St., Charlotte, NC 28205

McHale’s Pub is kicking off the World Cup with an all-night watch party featuring live DJs, giveaways, food and drink specials, and a big-screen showing of the U.S. men’s national team’s opening match against Paraguay on Friday.

A person with a beard and tattoos stands leaning against the bright red exterior wall of McHale’s pub, wearing a blue t-shirt and light-colored shorts, positioned between two large black-framed windows. Above the person, the name “McHale’s” is displayed in large gold lettering on a black banner, flanked by hanging green plants. A white SUV and a silver pickup truck partially frame the shot on a sunny day.
Brenden Kuhlkin, owner of McHale’s Pub. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

Middle James Brewing

Location: 400 N Polk St B, Pineville, NC 28134

Location: 115 E North Main St, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Middle James is turning the World Cup into a full-on “48 Nations Challenge,” inviting fans to come represent their country and claim it first-come, first-served for a free limited-edition soccer tee. The challenge is only happening at the Pineville location, but you can still watch the action at the brewery’s location in Waxhaw.

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Location: 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

Location: 15025 Bowl St, Charlotte, NC 28277

OMB is leaning into the World Cup with watch parties for both U.S. and Germany matches in LoSo and Ballantyne, plus all-day beer specials to sweeten the deal. Fans can catch the action on the brewery’s TVs while sipping $5 pints of Olde Meck or Hornets Nest, depending on the match day.

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery not only has fresh premium beer, but also delicious desserts and savory sausages.
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery not only has fresh premium beer, but also delicious desserts and savory sausages. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Salud Cervaceria

Location: 3306-C N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205

Once crowned the best beer bar in the country for three straight years and one of two official meeting spots for the Queen City Gooners, the city’s official Arsenal FC support group, Salud usually opens its upstairs at 8 a.m. If you go, you can expect plenty of beer and food specials.

Charlotte FC fans celebrate an apparent goal during a watch party at Salud Beer Shop in Charlotte, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. The goal was eventually overturned due to an offsides call, and D.C. United beat Charlotte FC 3-0 in Washington.
Charlotte FC fans celebrate an apparent goal during a watch party at Salud Beer Shop in Charlotte, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. The goal was eventually overturned due to an offsides call, and D.C. United beat Charlotte FC 3-0 in Washington. Alex Slitz alslitz@charlotteobserver.com

Tyber Creek Pub

Location: 1501 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Tyber Creek Pub is showing every World Cup match and even opening early for games outside normal hours, including a 2 p.m. kickoff opening on June 11. All month long, you can catch the games while sipping $8 Teremana Tequila, a brand co-founded by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Valhalla Pub & Eatery - Brevard Court

Location: 317 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202

For a World Cup watch party with plenty of energy, Valhalla Pub & Eatery is a solid bet. The Viking-themed Uptown pub has long been part of Charlotte’s soccer scene, and a recent renovation added even more space for fans to gather, grab a beer and catch the action.

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Heidi Finley contributed reporting.

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Heidi Finley
The Charlotte Observer
Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
Evan Moore
The Charlotte Observer
Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.
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