The 9 Best Bars in Houston to Watch The 2026 FIFA World Cup

From "Space City" to "Soccer City," these are the best bars in Houston to watch the 2026 World Cup.

Jun 6, 2025 - 00:50
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The 9 Best Bars in Houston to Watch The 2026 FIFA World Cup

Space City is getting rebranded as Soccer City during the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Houston’s NRG Stadium hosting five group-stage games and two knockout-round fixtures. Regardless of whether you’re planning on catching a live match, sport-centric Houston is set to be a prime destination for cheering on the national team next summer.

Houston, Texas, is home to the Major League soccer club Houston Dynamo and the National Women’s Soccer League club Houston Dash. The Rockets (NFL), Astros (Baseball), Texans (NFL), Roughnecks (UFL), and SaberCats (MLR) also contribute to the city’s sporting prowess. In light of this, Houston’s central neighborhoods are overrun with sports bars which will broadcast all the matches from kick-off in Mexico City until the final whistle sounds in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Home of the Shell Energy Stadium, East Downtown (EaDo) will form the epicenter of the footie action. Although this stadium will not be used for the tournament, this enclave is slated to host Houston’s official FIFA Fan Festival comprising watch parties and other soccer-themed happenings. Split between EaDo, Downtown, and Midtown, these are the best bars in Houston, TX, to watch the 2026 World Cup.

Best World Cup Bars in East Downtown Houston, Texas

True Anomaly Brewing Company


The award-winning True Anomaly Brewing Company is home to Houston’s largest barrel room and an epic line-up of beers. The menu spans seasonal and year-round brews, inclusive of pale ales, Mexican-inspired lagers, and golden sours. There’s heaps of space indoors and outdoors with several screens dotted throughout but the Brew Garden is where the watch party is at. This space has a huge television which screens everything from Premier League games to NFL matches.

True Anomaly gets experimental with its brews and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they’re working on a limited release in time for the World Cup. The kitchen serves pizza on select days of the week with external food purchases allowed on off-days. In fact, the staff will share personal recommendations for where to order from. Leashed dogs and children of all ages are welcome at this family-friendly brewpub.

True Anomaly Brewing Company: 2012 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77003

Pitch 25

 

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Standing across the street from Shell Energy Stadium, Pitch 25 is one of the most iconic sports bars in Houston. Owned by the former Major League player Brian Ching who represented the US Men’s national team, the pub was conceived as a community spot for avid soccer lovers. This whopping warehouse complex has seating inside and outside plus its own soccer pitch, games aplenty, and an axe-throwing arena. You’re never out of eyeshot of a screen which means you can drift around the venue without missing a thing.

The food menu is a happy hattrick of loaded fries, burgers, and tacos plus an assortment of sharable sliders. The beer menu is equally robust, ranging from light lagers and pilsners to stouts. Children are welcome and will find plenty of entertainment during quieter play.

Pitch 25: 2120 Walker St, Houston, TX 77003

Little Woodrow’s EaDo


East Downtown claims one of the 10 Little Woodrow’s outposts in Houston. This chain of Texas-based neighborhood backyard bars was established in 1995 and has gone on to become a go-to destination for laid-back vibes, great beer, and cheering on the local team. Little Woodrow’s EaDo has a massive turf patio kitted out with big screens and picnic benches, with a selection of shaded and sunny patches. Step inside to find yet more televisions, sports merchandise, and arcade games.

Woody’s Ranch Water, a tequila-based cocktail rimmed with Tajin, is the drink to order. If temperatures sizzle, cool down with a Frozen Woody. The kitchen keeps things simple with burgers and pizzas lashed with premium meats and jalapeños.

Little Woodrow’s: 801 St Emanuel St, Houston, TX 77003

Cobos

 

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For killer tacos with lip-smacking barbecue flavors, head to Cobos in EaDo for your World Cup watch party. Yet another bar within touching distance of the Shell Energy Stadium, this place is usually packed to the rafters on match days. Cabos touts 20 screens scattered evenly indoors and out in the beer garden, ensuring every seat has a view of the action.

The street tacos and quesadillas are packed with flavor and come with a tempting array of dips. The mac and brisket quesadilla is a local legend – you’ll want to get your order in early to avoid disappointment. Beer dominates the bar menu but there are a couple of token cocktails on the menu.

Cobos: 2012 Rusk St, Houston, TX 77003

Traveling to the World Cup? Check out Matador’s World Cup accommodations guides:

Best World Cup Bars in Downtown Houston, Texas

Biggio’s

 

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Located on the first floor of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in downtown Houston, Biggio’s isn’t your typical sports’ pub. This swanky bar feels more akin to a brasserie with its upscale handhelds, posh mac and cheese, and mouthwatering tuna poke nachos which you’ll struggle to share. Themed cocktails are crafted from premium spirits and there’s a decent choice of mocktails.

The bar is lined with state-of-the-art LED TVs of differing sizes and there’s one supersized screen with leather seating. Despite being in the hotel, Biggio’s retains a community feel and is a hit with Houstonian soccer, baseball, and basketball devotees. It’s one of the few sports bars where reservations are permitted (and who knows – Craig Biggio himself might just stop in.

Biggio’s: 1777 Walker St, Houston, TX 77010

Tom’s Watch Bar


The city’s largest sports bar is an obvious contender for a World Cup watch party in Houston. This colossal venue has over 65 screens, close to 50 beers, and non-stop sports coverage. Coverage spills out onto the terrace where you’ll find smaller screens and a worthy supply of open-air seating.

The food at Tom’s Watch Bar is overwhelmingly good, with fan favorites including crispy chicken pancakes, beer-battered fish and chips, and prime rib. A platter of jumbo wings will see you through the first half while you make the tough decision. Besides the beers, the bar carries an impressive selection of spirits and cocktails to match all tastes. Located right in the heart of the Central Business District, the bar is handy for downtown hotels and public transport links.

Tom’s Watch Bar: 1201 Caroline St Suite #161 [level G], Houston, TX 77002

 

Best World Cup Bars in Midtown Houston, Texas

 

Social Beer Garden


Plugging the space between downtown and the NRG Stadium, the Social Beer Garden is one of the largest venues for watching the 2026 World Cup in Houston. In fact, they claim to have the biggest outdoor LED screen in the city. Straddling two floors, the pub has a whopper of a beer garden and a rooftop patio. The parking lot tends to be used for overspill – a likely scenario during next summer’s soccer tournament.

This neighborhood spot supports local businesses by stocking beers, ciders, and kombuchas brewed in the Houston area. In order to satisfy all tastes, the bartenders also excel at craft cocktails made with the freshest ingredients. When they’re not screening the big game, Social Beer Garden hosts a menagerie of events including comedy, burlesque, and silent discos.

Social Beer Garden: 3101 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77004

On The Kirb

 

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On The Kirb is an organic eatery and sports bar with four locations in Houston. The Midtown outpost is the most convenient pub for watching the World Cup and indulging in some clean eating. The menu orbits around fresh local produce, organic meats, free-range dairy and poultry, and seasonal cocktails. They’re particularly known for crafting authentic Neapolitan Italian pizzas in firebrick ovens. Other dishes typically see a mix of ocean-raised salmon, grass-fed steaks, and artisanal cheese boards. It’s not your usual pub grub!

The bistro has a roomy interior that spills out onto the terrace, with screens divided across both spaces. The clientele comprise passionate locals and travelers who go for the food, the vibes, and the big game.

On The Kirb: 2521 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77006

The Dog House Tavern

The Dog House Tavern is one of the most underrated sports bars for a Houston World Cup watch party. Unpretentious, kind to the wallet, and known to get a little rowdy on a weekend evening, this is the quintessential watering hole for watching a match – and voicing your opinion on the state of play.

This vibrant venue has roomy booths and bar seating where you can chew over the latest scores with the bartenders and get tailored beer recommendations. Pizza is available to order at the tavern and outside food is permitted; most patrons order from On The Kirb next door. There are a couple of retro consoles and darts boards plus a handful of smaller screens for keeping an eye on the match.

The Dog House Tavern: 2517 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77006