My husband and I will be in Paris June 13-20. We have rented an apartment with a TV but might also want to view the matches with others. We are staying at Quai des Orfèvres in the 1st. Do you have any suggestions? Also, which television stations would the matches be on?
TIA
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3555 posts
In France, the free TV channel M6 will broadcast most of the matches. beIN SPORTS (a pay channel) will broadcast the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A fan zone with giant screens is planned on the banks of the Seine, but the exact location has not yet been announced. It may be a paid area.
If you want to enjoy the atmosphere with other people, there's no need to worry so early about finding a place to watch the matches. You'll find plenty of bars and brasseries throughout Paris, easy to spot, that will broadcast the matches on large screens.
Posted by
OP
1531 posts
Thanks, JoLui. Yes, atmosphere is nice especially when the US plays.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2551 posts
You'll have to look for a place with a TV, because not all bars in Paris have them. Irish pubs do, and will have the games on. Look for the local football club places also. Google "Paris Football pubs" and you'll get a list.
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3555 posts
The US will play on the 13th at 3 AM French time, too late to hang out in bars which will be closed anyway, and you might not even be in Paris by then.
But for the second match against Senegal on June 19th at 9 PM French time, that could work.
The French team will play on June 16th at 9 PM; that's when you're sure to find plenty of lively spots with a great atmosphere. Expect some honking in the streets.
Posted by
OP
1531 posts
Googling "Paris Football pubs" is a great help. It turns out that there are several not too far from our rental.
Yes, we'll be in Colmar for the US game at 3 a.m. I made sure we have an apartment with the TV in a separate room so that my husband won't disturb my sleep (if I'm not watching) We definitely will be out with the French when France plays. Can't wait. Allez les Bleus!
Posted by
Paris
11261 posts
Watching will absolutely not be restricted to football pubs. Just about every pub and brasserie will rent a few (!) large-screen tvs to set up for patrons to watch the matches - and will put at least a couple of them to be visible at outside tables.
I don't know about the ambiance when the U.S. team plays, but it is electric when France plays or most other European, north African, or Sub-Saharan African teams play - lots of expats and immigrants and descendants from lots of countries here.
Honestly, it will be hard NOT to run across places playing the matches, the whole run of the tournament.
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3555 posts
I know from experience that many places not listed on Google as sports bars specifically install large TVs for the World Cup and broadcast the matches. It's a business that brings in a lot of money in terms of drink sales, so don't worry.
Now, with the Irish team just squeaking into the World Cup, who knows if they'll make it past the first round? If they flop, those pubs might be closing up early. LOL
Posted by
Toronto
225 posts
@JoLui
Of course, the Irish (and Northern Irish for that matter) still need to qualify through the playoff next month. :-)
Posted by
OP
1531 posts
We were fortunate to get tickets for the USA v Czech Republic game in Germany in 2006. Many pubs/restaurants in Germany, Brussels and the Netherlands had TVs outside. My husband, two sons and I loved being swept up in the energy.
We'll be on the lookout for the outside TVs and will be looking forward to the energy!
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3167 posts
I'm in rural France for 2 months, in Bretagne. I am amazed at the number of places that have no TV at all. As someone noted, there are a lot of Irish pubs - really quite a few. Additionally, there are now brewpubs in France, with a US ambiance.
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3167 posts
I've attended 2 matches in Zagreb Croatia in the main square. Hundreds of comfortable chairs outside. Beers provided (at cost) by local restaurants. In one case, Croatia was playing Wales, and there was a LOT of security around. After a while, the Wales fans (of which there were a bunch) became quite rowdy and were saying all kinds of things about Croatian girls. Fun!!
Posted by
OP
1531 posts
Just learned that the Paris apartment we rented does not have any sports channels. The management's recommendation--go to a pub and enjoy not only the games but the atmosphere! We're good at hunting down soccer games: North Africa Cup while in Marrakech, Morocco v Tanzania; FIFA World Cup while in Ireland (middle of nowhere), USA v Algeria were our most dogged. Hope we can manage Paris and WC games. . .
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
3555 posts
Enjoy not only the games but the atmosphere!
Speaking of atmosphere, here's what you can expect in Paris when the French national team plays:
Posted by
OP
1531 posts
JoLui, now that's atmosphere! We'll be jumping!