Where to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Sydney
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July, with 48 nations competing across 104 matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico. For Sydney fans, this is the most watchable World Cup in years. Two of the three Socceroos group stage matches kick off in the afternoon, which means you can watch football at a pub without setting a 4am alarm. Most other tournament matches land during Sydney mornings too, a big improvement on European-hosted tournaments.
Every match is live and free on SBS and SBS On Demand. No subscription, no paywall.
Sydney’s pubs, sports bars and fan zones are ready for it. From a rooftop screen in the CBD to free outdoor fan zones and local pubs with cold schooners and big screens, there are solid options across the city.
The Socceroos’ Group Stage Matches (AEST)
Australia is in Group D with Turkey, the USA and Paraguay. All three matches are played on the US West Coast, which works out well for Sydney viewers.
- Sunday 14 June, 2pm: Australia v Turkey
- Saturday 20 June, 5am: USA v Australia
- Friday 26 June, 12pm: Paraguay v Australia
The Turkey and Paraguay matches are the easy ones to get to a pub for. The USA clash is a 5am start, but the free fan zones and several venues will be open for it.
Free Fan Zones
Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour
Tumbalong Park is Sydney’s official World Cup live site and the biggest free viewing option in the city. The park screens all three Socceroos matches plus the quarter-finals, semi-finals, third place playoff and the final. No tickets, no cost.
Gates open one hour before each kick-off. Food and drinks are available on site, and you can bring chairs and picnic rugs. The venue is family friendly and accessible.
Matches screening at Tumbalong Park:
- Sun 14 Jun, 2pm: Australia v Turkey
- Sat 20 Jun, 5am: USA v Australia
- Fri 26 Jun, 12pm: Paraguay v Australia
- Fri 10 Jul, 6am: Quarter-final
- Sat 11 Jul, 5am: Quarter-final
- Sun 12 Jul, 7am: Quarter-final
- Sun 12 Jul, 11am: Quarter-final
- Wed 15 Jul, 5am: Semi-final
- Thu 16 Jul, 5am: Semi-final
- Sun 19 Jul, 7am: Third place playoff
- Mon 20 Jul, 5am: Final
Leave the flares and fireworks at home.
Where: Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour l Cost: Free
Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park
Cathy Freeman Park at Sydney Olympic Park is a confirmed free live site, screening all three Socceroos group stage matches. Additional match dates are yet to be confirmed. Good option if you’re in the west or heading to the area for the day.
Where: Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park l Cost: Free
North Bondi Park, Bondi
Waverley Council is running a free outdoor screening site at North Bondi Park on Ramsgate Avenue for three days of group stage matches. No bookings required. Bring a picnic rug, blanket or low chair.
Sunday 14 June
- 7.30am: Brazil v Morocco
- 10.30am: Haiti v Scotland
- 1pm: Australia v Turkey
Saturday 20 June
- 4am: USA v Australia
- 7.30am: Scotland v Morocco
- 10am: Brazil v Haiti
Friday 26 June
- 5.30am: Ecuador v Germany
- 8.30am: Japan v Sweden
- 11am: Paraguay v Australia
Where: North Bondi Park, Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi Cost: Free
Allianz Stadium, Moore Park
Allianz Stadium is a confirmed live site for the Australia v Turkey match on 14 June. Check the venue website for ticketing and entry details.
Where: Allianz Stadium, Driver Avenue, Moore Park l Cost: Free
Pubs and Bars Showing the World Cup in Sydney
Jacksons on George
Jacksons on George is going all in for the tournament. Every match screens live on the jumbo rooftop screen and new big screens in the public bar, making it one of the best-set-up venues in the city for the full 39 days.
The George Street facade has a 5m x 4m Jules Rimet trophy mural by artist Beni Single, with a full group listing inside the public bar. After each round, eliminated nations get crossed off. It’s a nice touch for following the tournament as it unfolds.
Food and drink deals run daily. Upgrade to Asahi pints for $1, and the Ozzie Burger, chef Steven Sinclair’s tribute to the Socceroos, is available all day every day of the tournament. It’s a wagyu patty with fried egg, beetroot, lettuce, BBQ sauce and cheese in a milk bun, served with fries for $27.
Bookings are recommended for the big Socceroos matches.
Where: Jacksons on George, 176 George Street, Sydney CBD l More details
The Glenmore Hotel
The Glenmore is showing the Australia v Turkey match on 14 June from 2pm on the big screens. Round up your mates and grab a spot early.
Where: The Glenmore Hotel, 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
The Clock Hotel
The Clock is a Surry Hills staple and a solid choice for the Socceroos matches. Schooners are $9 during every Australia game, so get in early and grab a spot.
Where: The Clock Hotel, 470 Crown Street, Surry Hills l More details
Inner West
The Bank Hotel, Newtown
The Terrace Bar at The Bank is the spot for World Cup watching in Newtown. Schooners are $7 during every Socceroos match.
Where: The Bank Hotel, 324 King Street, Newtown l More details
The Sackville Hotel, Rozelle
The Sackville’s sports bar screens are built for this. $7 schooners pour throughout every Socceroos match, making it the Inner West’s most affordable option for the tournament.
Where: The Sackville Hotel, 599 Darling Street, Rozelle l More details
World Cup venues in South Sydney
Humphrey’s Hotel, Hurstville
Humphrey’s is open 10am until late every day of the tournament, with every match on the big screens in the sports bar. Entry is free and the full bistro menu runs alongside the football.
If you’re planning around the big Socceroos fixtures, bookings are available for booths and function spaces. Walk-ins are welcome for everything else.
Match-day food includes the Dry-Aged Beef Burger with truffle aioli and triple-cooked chips ($28), Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings ($20.50) and Chicken Schnitzel with fries and coleslaw ($26.50). $20 lunch specials run Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 3pm, and happy hour is Monday to Friday from 5pm to 7pm.
Where: Humphrey’s Hotel, Level 1, 288 Forest Road, Hurstville l More details
Where to watch in Western Sydney
Albion Hotel, Parramatta
Parramatta’s go-to pub for the tournament. The Albion is showing all Socceroos matches live with $7 schooners throughout every game. Get in early for the afternoon kick-offs.
Where: Albion Hotel, 135 George Street, Parramatta More details
The Woodstock Hotel, Rooty Hill
Rooty Hill’s local is backing the Socceroos with $7 schooners throughout every Australia match. A straightforward option if you’re in the west and want a reliable pub with a screen.
Where: Cnr Woodstock Avenue and Duke Street, Rooty Hill l More details
Central Coast
Archie’s Sports Bar, Gosford
Archie’s is the sports bar at the voco Gosford hotel and the Central Coast’s main destination for World Cup viewing. Multiple big screens, a sports bar atmosphere and special 5am openings for the early kick-offs. Themed food specials inspired by competing nations run throughout the tournament.
Check the Archie’s website for the full match schedule as timings are subject to change.
Where: Archie’s Sports Bar, voco Gosford, Gosford l More details
Watching With Your Tribe
If you’re an expat or visiting fan wanting to watch with people who support your team, Sydney has you covered. Several venues have aligned themselves with specific nations for the tournament, making it easy to find your crowd.
- Hotel Steyne, Manly: England, Brazil, Argentina and France
- The Ranch, CBD: Japan and South Korea
- Strathfield Hotel, Strathfield: South Korea and Japan
- Campsie Hotel, Campsie: South Korea
- Cheers Bar, CBD: Scotland and England
- Bankstown Sports, Bankstown: Australia
- Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL, Canterbury: Portugal
- Marconi Club, Bossley Park: Iraq
- Star Sydney, Pyrmont: All matches
These venues are part of the TAB network. Expect big screens, match-day activations, merchandise giveaways and themed supporter experiences throughout the tournament.
Practical Information
Match times
Most matches land during Sydney mornings and afternoons. US East Coast games kick off between around 2am and 8am AEST. US West Coast games run from around 5am to midday AEST. Mexico-based matches start from around 3am to 10am AEST. The final kicks off at 5am AEST on Monday 20 July.
Book ahead for Socceroos matches
The Australia v Turkey match on 14 June at 2pm and the Paraguay match on 26 June at 12pm will fill up fast. Several venues are taking bookings now for booths and tables. If you have a group, lock something in early rather than turning up and hoping for the best.
Extended trading hours
The NSW Government has approved extended trading hours for licensed venues during the tournament across Sydney CBD, Pyrmont, Ultimo, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Haymarket, Barangaroo, Potts Point and Woolloomooloo. This means venues in these areas can stay open later to cover full match coverage and post-game atmosphere.
Getting around
Tumbalong Park at Darling Harbour is a short walk from Town Hall and Wynyard stations. Sydney Olympic Park is served by its own train station on the T1 Western Line. Most CBD and inner-city venues are within easy walking distance of train and bus connections.
