The 2026 World Cup runs from June 12 to July 20, and thanks to the tournament being hosted across the US, Canada and Mexico, most kick-offs land firmly in Shanghai's anti-social hours. Expect matches to start around midnight, 3am, 6am and 9am, with the biggest games often falling into the overnight slots.

A few talking points for your next beer: China didn't qualify (their last appearance remains 2002), while Italy somehow managed to miss a third consecutive World Cup, despite being four-time champions. On the brighter side, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Curaçao and Cape Verde will all be making their tournament debuts, and the expanded 48-team format means there are more underdog stories than ever before.

None of the bars we spoke to have announced major World Cup promotions this year, but most will be screening selected matches throughout the tournament. Here's the shortcut, or scroll down for full details:

Downtown:

• Cages — the giant sports-bar experience showing every match
• The Shed & Abbey Road — old-school Shanghai institutions
• Parlay — a newer addition to the scene in Shankang Li
• Grand Yard — the laid-back neighborhood pub

Rest of Shanghai:

• Big Bamboo — the Hongqiao default
• Bamboo River House — the Pudong / Jinqiao option
• Home Field — the Minhang neighborhood pick

Zeitgeist

If you're backing Germany or Austria, Zeitgeist is where you want to be. The Austrian-German sports bar has long been a gathering spot for Shanghai's German-speaking community, and they'll be screening selected World Cup matches throughout the tournament, especially fixtures involving the two nations. No dedicated World Cup promotions have been announced at the time of writing. Reservations can be made via 021-3220 5986.

Abbey Road

Friendly neighboorhood bar Abbey Road is sticking to selected fixtures throughout the tournament, with a schedule that heavily favours European teams including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium. Expect a decent crowd for the bigger games, but in a more relaxed setting than Camel or some larger bars on this list.

Cages

Cages is the default answer for World Cup viewing in Shanghai. The sprawling sports bar will be showing every match from June 12 to July 20, with extended opening hours to accommodate the less-than-ideal China kick-off times. Expect big screens, big crowds and plenty of atmosphere. Walk-ins are welcome for most games, while larger groups can arrange bookings in advance.

Parlay

One of the newer additions to Shanghai's sports bar lineup, Parlay is screening selected World Cup fixtures throughout the tournament. Expect big screens, a sizable patio, Kansas City-style BBQ, and a slightly more polished take on the classic sports bar experience. They'll kick things off with the opening ceremony and the 3am opener, with more matches to be announced via their WeChat account (ParlaySH).

The Shed

One of Shanghai's original sports bars, The Shed has been serving burgers, pints, and live football to generations of expats long before "sports bar concepts" became a thing. It's a little worn in, unapologetically casual, and all the better for it. With locations on Shaanxi Bei Lu and Hongmei Lu (The Shed 2), they'll be screening selected World Cup fixtures throughout the tournament, with opening hours adjusted around the match schedule. Weekly screening lineups will be shared via their WeChat account (ShedSh), and reservations are available by phone.

Big Bamboo (Hongqiao)

For those based in Hongqiao,Big Bamboo is often the go-to option when a major sporting event rolls around. The longtime sports bar staple combines plenty of screens with a spacious patio and a reliably lively match-day atmosphere. They'll be screening selected World Cup fixtures throughout the tournament, though some of the earliest kickoffs, including the 6am games, are still tentative. It's worth checking ahead to confirm that the match you're after will be showing.

Bamboo River House

Jinqiao's answer to Shanghai's sports bar scene,Bamboo River House offers big screens and a riverside setting for World Cup viewing further east of the city center. They'll be screening matches throughout the tournament during regular opening hours (9am to midnight), while the 3am and 6am games can be arranged by reservation. If you're planning an overnight football session, be sure to book in advance.

Home Field

Minhang's answer to the classic neighborhood sports bar, Home Field combines a casual pub atmosphere with plenty of screens and enough room for larger gatherings. Popular with the area's expat community, it's set up well for major sporting events and will be screening World Cup matches throughout the tournament. Reservations can be made through David Fan (138 1752 3929), with walk-ins accepted subject to capacity.

Grand Yard

Grand Yard is very much a neighborhood sports pub: no frills, plenty of regulars, and a reliably relaxed atmosphere. Popular with the local expat community, it's a good spot for a few beers, a game of darts, and, this summer, the World Cup. They'll be showing matches live from June 11 to July 19, accompanied by food and drink specials and happy hour deals during game time. Reservations can be made via 5204 9620.