All of Madrid will once again be glued to a screen this Sunday. That screen could be at home, in a bar, or one of the giant screens set up in various locations. The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, scheduled for 9:00 p.m., can be watched at two large public viewing events in the capital and in more than thirty municipalities across the region.
The main free viewing locations will be in Plaza de Colón and on the esplanade of the Puente del Rey in Madrid Río. In addition, there will be screenings at the Movistar Arena (an event for which tickets are sold out), Warner Park, shopping centers, theaters, and plazas throughout much of the region.
Colón and Madrid Río, the two main gathering spots
Plaza de Colón will once again be the focal point of much of the excitement. The City Council will keep the screen used during the tournament and install a second one facing the street to expand the available space. The setup will occupy part of Paseo de la Castellana, the plaza itself, and the area around Calle Génova. Admission will be free until capacity is reached.
The other major gathering will be in Madrid Río, where two screens will be set up on the Puente del Rey esplanade. The space is larger than Plaza de Colón and allows for better crowd distribution.
The Movistar Arena (sold out) and other venues
The Movistar Arena will open its doors at 7:30 p.m. with a 16-by-9-meter screen and ten others distributed throughout the venue. Before the match, DJ Nano will provide the music.
The 15,000 free tickets sold out shortly after they were made available to the public, so only those who secured a ticket will be able to enter.
There will also be a broadcast at Parque Warner Madrid, inside the Teatro de Especialistas, which has a capacity of about 1,200 people. The program will begin one hour earlier, and in the event of a Spanish victory, a fireworks display is planned.
In southern Madrid, the Nassica shopping center will screen the match in its central plaza. Starting at 7:30 p.m., there will be a DJ, food stands, and giveaways while supplies last. Downtown, the Teatro Magno will host another party to watch the match, with free admission by prior reservation.
Screens Throughout the Community of Madrid
The final will also be shown in plazas, parks, fairgrounds, and sports complexes throughout the region. There will be screens in Móstoles, Alcorcón, Leganés, Fuenlabrada, Getafe, Parla, Pinto, Valdemoro, Alcobendas, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Tres Cantos, and Colmenar Viejo.
In addition to these locations, there will be screenings in Arganda del Rey, Navalcarnero, Majadahonda, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Boadilla del Monte, Villaviciosa de Odón, Paracuellos de Jarama, Miraflores de la Sierra, Manzanares el Real, and San Fernando de Henares, among others.
Some gatherings will take place in town squares; others will be held in bullrings, shopping centers, or sports venues to provide more space. Most will be open to the public, although certain venues will require an admission ticket or advance reservation.
The largest crowd will likely be at Colón, while Madrid Río offers a more spacious alternative. Outside the capital, the final can be watched without having to travel across the region: many of Madrid’s major cities will have their own screen just a few minutes from home.