Madrid will once again come together around soccer this summer. Plaza de Colón is the venue chosen to watch Spain’s matches live at the 2026 World Cup, thanks to a giant screen installed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the City Council. Admission will be free, and the venue will serve as a fan zone open to the public during the group stage.
The initiative brings back a familiar sight from major sporting events: thousands of people watching the national team’s matches right in the heart of the city. Colón was already one of the busiest spots during the Euro Cup and the World Cup in South Africa, and now it will once again be filled with red jerseys, scarves, and flags to coincide with the tournament being held this year in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Under the name “Plaza Selección, ” the space will feature several giant high-definition screens, as well as entertainment areas, live music, family activities, and food stands. There will also be an official store and an exhibition of trophies linked to the recent history of the Spanish national team.
Spain’s matches that can be viewed at Colón
The venue will be open for Spain’s first two group stage matches. The debut will be on June 15 against Cape Verde, at 6:00 p.m. The second match will take place on June 21 against Saudi Arabia, also at 6:00 p.m. In both cases, the venue will be open from noon until nightfall to host pre-match activities and post-match celebrations.
The third match of the group stage, against Uruguay, will not be viewable from Colón. The match is scheduled for June 27 at 2:00 a.m., a time slot that precludes the public broadcast planned by the organizers.
Music, activities, and a festive soccer atmosphere
The Federation wants the space to be more than just a simple broadcast. According to the plan announced, the idea is to turn each match day into a kind of soccer festival, with activities throughout the day and an atmosphere designed for both regular fans and families and tourists visiting Madrid during those days.