Are you ready Shanghai? It’s ON. The first match is Thursday night at 11pm. Russia versus Saudi Arabia. Feel good match of the century! And then three matches Friday, four on Saturday and three on Sunday. If you’re looking for the exhaustive list of basically every venue in Shanghai screening the World Cup games, click here. We should have just done the listical on where NOT to see this thing. (Hello C’s, keep being your wonderful self). However. All World Cup parties are not created equal. Some are going the extra distance with stadium seating, huge movie screen, and alcohol flowing like… well, a lot of alcohol flowing. Click through for the five biggest World Cup openings for Thursday night.

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The Zapata’s / Sasha’s World Cup Voltron

The Zashata’s party palace is hosting stadium seating, massive screens, their trademark intern-decimating “party atmosphere” and — get this — free beer from 10pm to kick off at 11pm. You have to scan the QR code to get in, but giving up your phone’s soul is a small price to pay. Think of the memories you won’t have!

The Rooftop Terrace in Pudong

Italy. Alas. We’re weeping for you. We’re missing you at this thing. It just not the same without you. Remember the glory days? And by that we mean Roberto Baggio’s mullet? Even though Italy are sitting this one out, the reigning Italian kings of The Bund, MVP Events are hosting a Pudong-located rooftop screening of the World Cup at the Rooftop Terrace Garden of Grand Tower. Watch all matches on a big LED screen, with drinks and BBQ ongoing. Free entrance. For more info and RSVP: 6882 8888.

Cages’ Excessive World Cup in Jing’an

Cages. Ever the SPORTS BRO heart of Jing’an. They deal in excess. They deal in superlatives. They’re hosting a projected 800 people, 70+ screens, four 7-metter new LED screens, and a revamped menu from new Cages head chef Jason Oakley. Oakley is also collaborating with some of the best chefs in Shanghai, including Ling Huang, Carlos Sotomayer, Pol Garcia, and Austin Hu. Hey, that sounds actually good! And not even, hey-I-have-to-write-articles-every-damn-day-on-something-happening-in-this-damn-city-good! Entry includes 6 food and drink tickets (100RMB). For VIP and limited reserved table options, email us at info@cages.cn.

Some Bund Outdoor Viewing Party

"Bored with all the same old bar and restaurant options for the World Cup?" Emphatic yes. "Wanna do something different to celebrate?" Eh? Maybe? There's a big outdoor viewing party for the World Cup down at Pier 16. Covered outdoor big screen TV, pop-up bars, DJs & entertainment warming up the party. Goes down rain or shine. Pop-Ups... DJs... all that Shanghai stuff. Sounds wonderful. Event location: The Bund 16pu Waterfront - 531 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, near Xinkaihe Lu. No entry fee. Starts 7pm, June 14 to June 18.

The Found 158 Axis of (Drunken) Evil

You know your favorite place in the world? Found 158? Check out this perfect storm of sloppy nationalism that’s going to go down when all these places all show the World Cup all at once, as they are planning to do: El Santo (Mexico), Little Creatures (Australia), Zapfler (Germany), Les Cafe des les Staggiriairneaaksneere (France), Hooked (England). Shit’s gong to be like World War 9 down there, I can’t wait to not go! If you’d like to experience the World Cup as directed by Michael Bay, FOUND 158 IS YOUR JAM! ***