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City Cast DC

Kaela Cote-Stemmermann

Ashe Durban

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.

The People’s Pitch: Black Arrow FC at Hi-Lawn

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

The fan zone between 3rd and 4th Streets is 

 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.

 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.

Local soccer fashion brand and community group 

 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.

Volo Sports is transforming NoMa’s favorite outdoor beer garden into a 

 with watch parties, cultural celebrations, embassy collaborations, food pop-up, competitions, and international specialty brews.

 — 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

For when you want to watch the game but are on that dating grind. Meet other singles and enjoy themed drinks 

 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

 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.


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.

 with free pot of tea for the table (Falls Church)


Throughout June and July, D.C. restaurants are going all out on World Cup specials. From $1 wings to free shots of mezcal, 

Gordon Ramsay Street Burger and Street Pizza

Get $1 wings and $4 pints of beer when the game is on.

Guests wearing a soccer jersey get a free quarter chicken meal with chips and Saka Sauce — a collab with football star 

$6 for any local draft beers during all World Cup matches.

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.

Free paella during halftime of every Spain match. Plus, drink specials inspired by the countries on the pitch.

Get $10 liters of Bluejacket beer or $10 beer and shot combos whenever the game is on.

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.

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.

An ultimate guide to World Cup viewing and partying in D.C., including the best bars by country. 

The Best World Cup 2026 Watch Parties and Deals in DC

The Best World Cup Parties and Deals in DC

Find the best of everything that DC has to offer.

DC’s Best

DC's Best

New to D.C.? New to sports? Just trying to win Monday night trivia? Here’s a basic crash course on what (and who) you should be watching in D.C. sports this season and why, with City Cast DC’s resident sports expert Julia Karron. 

The Commanders are FINALLY good again. The Dan Snyder days are done, the team made it to the NFC Championship game last year, and they’re gonna get a fancy new stadium. Tickets won’t come cheap anymore, but if you’re willing to make the trek, get ready for tailgating in the parking lot and the dulcet sounds of Hail To The Commanders.

 Listen, the Wiz are in tough shape. They’re in a playoff drought, the games tend to be empty, and the roster is a mix of newbies and has-beens. This is a moment where you buy a nosebleed ticket and then make your way as close to courtside as you can.

 This might be home-grown sports celebrity Alex Ovechkin’s last year. He broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record and the team is giving out paper tickets. If you want to be a part of literal sports history and have the opportunity to frame it, this is your chance.

, forward and US Women’s National Team player

It’s playoff time baby! As the saying goes, everyone watches women’s sports, and now everyone watches the playoffs. Grab a $20 ticket in the standing room only section and belt out chants with the rest of the Spirit Squadron. They have signs to direct you and everything.

 DC United is the winningest team from D.C. Yes, a soccer club! Back in the Jaime Moreno days, DC United stacked up championships. They’re in a rebuilding phase right now, but brighter days could be ahead.

 Look, the Nationals will probably lose the game you go to, but they might have the best happy hour deal in the city. On Tuesdays you can score $12 tickets and $5 concessions (hotdogs, beers, pretzels) if you’re a D.C. resident. Happy hour isn’t dead, it just migrated to Nats Park.

The Mystics were cool before the Caitlin Clark effect. They were part of the District of Champions moment back in the late 2010s, scoring their first ever championship in 2019. The arena is small but mighty, and it gets loud and packed. Plus, for larger attendance games they make their way to Capital One Arena.

New to D.C.? New to sports? Just trying to win Monday night trivia? Here’s a basic crash course on what (and who) you should be watching in D.C. sports this season and why.

The Ultimate DC Sports Guide For Dummies 

What Washingtonians have been wondering. We break down why things in DC are the way they are and how they work.

DC, Explained

Congressman James Comer (R-KY) has introduced legislation that could give the old RFK site back to D.C. and bring the Commanders back to the District after years of playing at Fedex Field.

Right now the site is owned by the Department of Interior. Its lease with D.C. only runs until 2038 and can only be used for sports and recreation. This has hindered the city's ability to attract developers and start new projects there. 

 Congress is considering giving D.C. a 99-year extension on the lease, with no use restrictions.

Mayor Muriel Bowser has been a strong champion for returning the Commanders to RFK, even going around city officials to ask House Republicans to work with her on it.

According to Washington Post Commanders beat reporter Sam Fortier, the team desperately wants out of the dilapidated Fedex Field which they’ve played in for nearly two decades.

“The fan base of this team has degraded in the last 24 years under Dan Snyder. Being at RFK, which people call the spiritual home of this franchise, would do immeasurable good and would be a fig leaf to the fan base,” Fortier told City Cast DC.

As of July 2022, the majority of the D.C. Council opposed a new stadium at the RFK site, saying the land could be put to better use. However, two of those members are no longer there and Mayor Muriel Bowser continues to be enthusiastically supportive. “What the council thinks is a major question. And we won't know until it comes down to a vote,” said Fortier.

Our podcast City Cast DC covered what the new Commanders ownership could mean for this debate.

New owner, new stadium?

Could the Commanders Return to DC?

What's being decided in DC City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and DC City Council.

sports

The Best World Cup Parties and Deals in DC

The Ultimate DC Sports Guide For Dummies

Could the Commanders Return to DC?

Latest articles

The Best World Cup Parties and Deals in DC

The Ultimate DC Sports Guide For Dummies

Could the Commanders Return to DC?