The final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is now here, with kickoff at 10 p.m. Estonian time today, Sunday, July 19.
The 48 teams which entered the tournament over a month ago have been whittled down to two and, while there were plenty of surprises and shocks along the way, culminating in a 10-goal feast in Saturday’s 3rd-4th place playoff featuring France and England, in the end, the two best teams made it. The final will feature holders Argentina against European champions Spain.
Many people wanting to see the big game with a crowd and atmosphere will be heading to pubs, bars and other venues in Estonia.
There is quite a bewildering array of these nowadays so here is an incomplete guide to places in Tallinn and beyond, where you can catch all the action on the big screen, drink in hand.
Watch outdoors
For starters you needn’t even go to the pub to watch. Starting Friday, July 10, the City of Tallinn (link in Estonian) erected a giant screen in Freedom Square (Vabaduse väljak), in time for the quarter finals.
Tallinn Deputy Mayor for Culture and Sports Monika Haukanõmm (Center) called it a “completely different experience from sitting on your sofa at home,” bringing “a shared gathering place where passionate supporters, people enjoying the city in summer, where everyone eager to be part of a major sporting occasion can come together.”
The final at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey has a 10 p.m kickoff – pre-match broadcast starting at 9.30 p.m., on Sunday.
The city says it is siting the 12-by-7-meter screen so that it can be viewed from much of the square and including on the hill overlooking the Freedom Monument, while temporary restrooms and trash cans are to be provided, as is on-site security. Screenings go ahead come rain or shine, so spectators are advised to dress accordingly.
Tallinn authorities say they would like to remind attendees that the general rules of conduct in public spaces apply. Given the late kickoff of all the games, public transport schedules have been amended too, with weekend nightbus routes to be extended to week nights where matches are taking place.
If you prefer a seaside setting, you can watch on Tallinn’s Pirita Beach, but be sure to turn up early as entry is limited to 1,000.
Which venues are showing the games?
A non-exhaustive list of pubs, bars and other hotspots, including a cinema in the capital, who have announced they will showing matches is as follows:
D’Boiss Club Bespoke, Vene 2.
Hell Hunt, Pikk 39.
Mad Murphy’s Irish Bar, Mündi 2.
Nimeta, Suur-Kaarja 4.
O’Learys Sports Bar, Kristiine keskus, Endla 45.
Olybet Sports Bar, Harju 6.
Paavli Kultuurivabrik cultural center, Paavli 7.
Pudel Baar, Telliskivi 62.
Uba ja Humal, Võrgu 3.
Unibet Sports Bar, Vana-Viru 13.
The Tere Tallinn Instagram account has compiled these and other places showing the games here.
Outside Tallinn
Beyond the capital, Loore Lookal (Raatuse 2) and The Irish Embassy (Raekoja plats) are both venues in Tartu which come recommended. As one former colleague at ERR put it, “other than that just the usual pubs” will be showing matches in the university town.
If you’re in Pärnu, you can watch at the Düün Beach Club on Mere pst 15, or at Sweet Rosie’s Irish Pub on Munga 2, among many other venues in Estonia’s summer capital.
Finally, if you have to stay in, ETV and ETV2 are carrying Sunday’s final with Estonian-language commentary, free to watch inside Estonia. More info is here.
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