ASHEVILLE – The 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to North America, with matches scheduled at stadiums across the U.S., including Atlanta, Boston, New York and New Jersey.
Asheville establishments are ready for soccer (or football) mania, with fans seeking the best seats to watch the games without leaving the city.
Here’s what to know about the World Cup and local sports bars and breweries offering prime TV viewing and hosting watch parties.
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The more-than-monthlong tournament will begin on June 11 and end on July 19.
First up are Mexico vs. South Africa at Mexico City Stadium and Korea Republic vs. Czechia at Estadio Guadalajara in Mexico.
On June 12, catch the U.S. team play against Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in California.
View the complete schedule here.
What teams are playing in the World Cup?
World Cup 2026 will feature 48 teams from around the world competing in 104 matches.
Get live results and more details about the World Cup at fifa.com. FIFA also offers an app for smartphone users to stay up to date wherever they go.
Where to watch the World Cup in Asheville
Watch parties are popping up across the city. Here are some of the places offering big screen TVs, themed food and drink specials, giveaways, raffles and more for the World Cup.
Send your business’s World Cup watch party details to tkennell@citizentimes.com.
Olde London Road
270 Depot St., River Arts District; olrpub.com.
The home of soccer, Olde London Road, is a go-to for diehard fans to watch on any of the indoor and patio large-screen TVs.
The pub is regularly open from 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, opening at 7:30 a.m. in Premier League season. Doors will open one hour before the first match of the day during the World Cup.
Guests must have a wristband, available at no cost, which is available only in person. Fifty reserved wristbands per match will be allocated, which can be claimed at the bar. Additional wristbands will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For updates, follow @oldelondonrd on Instagram.
Easy Tiger/Flour
125 S Lexington Ave.; South Slope. easytigeravl.com
Easy Tiger sports bar is temporarily sharing space with its sister cafe, Flour, which means more time for World Cup watchers to spend at the South Slope establishment.
Daytime matches will be played during Flour’s service hours, with the kitchen serving fresh biscuits, coffee, breakfast sandwiches, lunch meals and mimosas through 2 p.m. Remote workers are encouraged to bring their laptops and tune in to the 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. games.
Easy Tiger will then take over with a complete dining and drink menu, including rotating food and cocktail specials inspired by the competing countries — such as Pimm’s Cup for England and Toki Highball for Japan.
Easy Tiger/Flour’s watch parties, giveaways and raffles for World Cup merchandise and other prizes will be in collaboration with spirit brands and distributors.
For USA evening matches, a projector will cast the games on the patio for a bonus outdoor viewing experience.
Flour’s regular hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Thursday-Monday, with Easy Tiger opening after the cafe closes, until midnight or later, depending on the end of the game. Hours of operation are subject to change based on World Cup matches and special event times; follow Easy Tiger on Instagram for updates, @easytigeravl.
The Draftsman
68 Patton Ave., downtown; thedraftsmanasheville.com
The Draftsman, the underground speakeasy-style bar and game room at The Restoration Hotel, will turn into a World Cup den, offering a festive space to enjoy bar bites and drinks, including specialty craft cocktails to fit the occasion.
Get into the competitive mode with friends — The Draftsman offers bowling and arcade games for open play.
Hours of operation are 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-12 a.m. Sunday. For updates, follow @thedraftsmanasheville on Instagram.
Highland Brewing
12 Old Charlotte Highway, East Asheville; highlandbrewing.com.
From June 11 to June 27, Highland Brewing will host “Watch the World Cup with Scotty” ― the Gaelic Amber Ale’s mascot ― from 3-10 p.m. in the festively themed taproom.
Highland Brewing’s drink menu features original craft beers, mixed drinks, nonalcoholic beer and other beverages.
Big matches will be broadcast on the screens, and extended hours will allow brewery guests to party longer. View the complete watch party schedule on Highland Brewing’s website, and follow @highlandbrewing on Instagram for updates and food truck schedules.
More sports bars to visit for the World Cup:
- Archetype Brewing. 265 Haywood Road, West Asheville, archetypebrewing.com.
- The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverages. 131 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, devilsfootbrew.com. Kicking off on June 11 with family-friendly outdoor mini soccer games, a Futbol828 Penalty Kick Shoot Out, local vendors, a Latin dance party and more.
- Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ. 135 Coxe Ave. South Slope, bearsbbq.com.
- Asheville Sports Club. 137 Coxe Ave., South Slope, ashevillesportsclub.com.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Co., covering the food and beverage industry, including the James Beard Awards, Michelin Guide, restaurant openings, closings and other hospitality industry news and events.
Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram. Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville bars, breweries hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup watch parties