Madrid is ready for a few weeks of goal celebrations and packed outdoor patios: the 2026 World Cup already has its major hotspots scattered throughout the city, from giant outdoor screens to themed bars, sports bars, Irish pubs, and even movie theaters converted into spectator stands. If you want to watch the games without staying on the couch, these are the main options.
Giant outdoor screens: Plaza Selección in Colón and Madrid Río
The main official gathering spot will be Plaza de Colón, where the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the City Council are setting up “Plaza Selección.” Giant high-definition screens will be installed to watch Spain’s matches and other key World Cup games.
Madrid Río joins the list of World Cup giant-screen venues with two enormous screens at Puente del Rey where you can watch Spain’s match against Belgium for free. The bridge and its surroundings will be transformed into a large outdoor stadium, with two main standing areas in front of each screen and side areas for those who prefer to watch from a greater distance. Access will be organized via the Madrid Río pedestrian walkways, with signage and increased security and emergency personnel on site, and the area will open several hours before the match (9:00 p.m.) to avoid crowds. The recommendation is clear: arrive by public transportation—especially the Metro and Cercanías to Príncipe Pío—travel light, and be prepared for the fact that once capacity is reached, it will be difficult to enter.
Las Rozas and Majadahonda also have a large outdoor screen in Plaza de España, which is turning into a true fan zone these days to cheer on the Spanish national team. Half an hour before each of Spain’s matches, locals can come by to watch the game live and enjoy music, entertainment, and activities like face painting before the game and during halftime.
Madrid is full of bars that treat every major tournament like a second Christmas. Some of the most highly recommended spots for this World Cup include classics like James Joyce Irish Pub, La Fontana de Oro, The Irish Rover, QW Bar & Pub, and O’Connell St. Pub—regulars for the Champions League, European Championships, and World Cups—as well as more modern spots like Fratina Sport Bar (Chamberí), 87 Millas Sport Bar, and Distrito 7 | Sports & Drinks, featuring multiple screens, good visibility from almost any table, and a menu designed for sharing.
Watch parties, movie theaters, and special events
In addition to bars and plazas, the World Cup will make its way into other, less typical venues:
Some movie theaters and venues, such as Cinesa Yelmo, will join in on the big-screen broadcasts of the matches with special packages that include admission and a meal, with prices ranging from €8.30 (for the traditional popcorn and soda combo) to €21.30 for the Luxury menu. The Premium menu (€14.30), the mid-range option, consists of a small popcorn, a soft drink, and a main course of your choice.
At Autocine Madrid, The Lenovo GARAGE has launched a totally new concept called Operación Mundial: a premium, air-conditioned space with a giant high-resolution screen, food trucks, a DJ, and a host starting at 6 p.m., plus a challenge zone with foosball and penalty kicks where, if you score, you win a prize. It’s the perfect way to experience the matches as if they were a final… even if it’s just the group stage.
For those who prefer the classic option that never fails, the alternative is Rita’s Mirador, the outdoor terrace of the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. There you’ll find a huge screen, music, great snacks, well-stocked bars, and that outdoor atmosphere that, at 9 p.m. in Madrid, is just as welcome as a goal in stoppage time. These are two very different ways to experience the World Cup, but in both cases, it’s unlikely that the match will be the only thing you remember about the night out.
