Where to Watch the World Cup: Austin, TX

The 2026 World Cup arrives in North America in June. From the opening match on June 11 through the final on July 19, eleven U.S. host cities, three Mexican host cities, and two Canadian host cities will share the largest soccer tournament ever staged.

Austin isn’t a host, but the Texas Triangle puts it within driving distance of Dallas, Houston, and Monterrey. Furthermore, Austin FC has already announced Official World Cup Watch Parties every day of the tournament at a downtown location to be confirmed.

What’s less well-known is Austin is also the birthplace of Pancho Villa’s Army, the U.S.-based supporter’s group for Mexico’s national team, founded by Austin attorney Sergio Tristan in 2011. Its rival group, American Outlaws, has its Austin chapter home at Haymaker. Add Premier League, La Liga, Champions League, and MLS to the year-round mix, and Austin’s soccer-bar infrastructure runs deeper than most people realize.

Below are the 5 bars where Austin will watch the 2026 World Cup, ordered by overall WC value, with neighborhood spread.

Haymaker

Haymaker is the official chapter home of American Outlaws Austin: every USMNT match is a watch party with food and drink specials. It’s also the local base for Chelsea, Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Everton supporters’ groups, and was voted Best Sports Bar by Austin Chronicle readers two years running. The indoor-outdoor layout swallows World Cup crowds, the sound system is dedicated to the main match, and when USA plays, the Outlaws fill the room with red, white, and blue and organised chants that genuinely feel like Q2 Stadium has come indoors.

World Cup angle: Every USMNT 2026 match is a chapter-organized watch party. The default Austin pick for U.S. group-stage and knockout fixtures.

What’s on the screens year-round: Premier League Saturday and Sunday, Champions League midweek, every USMNT and USWNT match, MLS for Austin FC away games.

Best for: USMNT diehards, Premier League supporters’ groups, anyone who wants the loudest room in town.

Ojos Locos Sports Cantina

Ojos Locos is the Mexican-American sports cantina at the heart of North Austin’s Latino corridor. TVs on every wall, a kitchen running tacos and street food well past midnight, and the kind of crowd that knows every El Tri starting eleven by heart. With Mexico co-hosting the 2026 World Cup and Pancho Villa’s Army headquartered in Austin (founder Sergio Tristan still lives and practices law here), El Tri matches in this room will be one of the loudest soccer experiences in Texas. 11am daily opens cover any of the WC group-stage kickoffs comfortably; kitchen runs full menu past last call.

World Cup angle: THIS is where Austin’s Mexican-American community packs in for El Tri.

What’s on the screens year-round: Liga MX, Mexico national team friendlies and qualifiers, MLS Mexican-derby fixtures, boxing nights, NFL.

Best for: El Tri fans, the Mexican-American soccer community, anyone wanting the most authentic Mexico-match atmosphere in Austin.

Scholz Garten

Scholz Garten is the oldest continuously operating beer garden in America. Opened in 1866 by German immigrant August Scholz, it is currently owned by the Austin Saengerrunde since 1914, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the past decade it’s quietly become one of Austin’s most serious soccer venues. NBC Sports brought their Premier League Mornings Live fan festival to Scholz in October 2019, with host Rebecca Lowe and analysts Robbie Earle, Kyle Martino, and Robbie Mustoe (plus special guests) broadcasting live from the biergarten. Austin FC has thrown playoff parties here.

World Cup angle: Given the literal German beer-garden setting, ithis is the non-negotiable historic-Austin pick for any Germany, Austria or Switzerland match. It’s also a serious all-tournament screening venue with capacity for crowds.

What’s on the screens year-round: Premier League weekend mornings, Champions League, MLS (Austin FC home and away), USMNT, UT athletics.

Best for: Germany, Austria and Switzerland supporters, Premier League purists, soccer fans who want the most historically Austin viewing setting, anyone who wants a giant pretzel with their match.

B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub at Mueller

B.D. Riley’s at Mueller bills itself as “Austin’s OFFICIAL Liverpool FC supporters pub”. The venue’s bona fides go further than that: the pub was built entirely in Ireland and shipped to Texas, then reassembled on site in Mueller. Award-winning fish and chips, properly poured Guinness, Irish trivia and folk-music nights through the week.

World Cup angle: Austin’s unofficial home for English and Scottish supporters during the tournament, or more anyone craving that Irish vibe while watching the beautiful game.

What’s on the screens year-round: Premier League (Liverpool gets pride of place), Champions League, FA Cup, Austin FC, the full 2026 World Cup. Also hosts the official New England Patriots, Notre Dame, and UT supporter chapters.

Best for: Liverpool fans (regardless of World Cup affiliation), the British and Irish soccer community in Austin, anyone wanting a real Irish-pub feel for an EPL morning.

Mister Tramps Sports Pub

Opened in 2009, Mister Tramps is the Scottish-owned soccer pub on Research Boulevard. Per the venue’s own Yelp listing: “If you are a fan of Italian, English or Scottish soccer and Rugby, stop by for a continuous show of games. If you don’t support AC Milan or Glasgow Celtic, then stop by for an argument.” Austin tourism calls it “one of the best soccer bars around”. The bar opens early on weekends for Premier League kickoffs and “always buzzing when the US Soccer team plays.” Decor is soccer flags and supporters’ scarves throughout. Cheap drinks, full menu past 2am, parking at the Target next door.

World Cup angle: The Scottish-Italian dual identity makes this a different room from the British-Irish energy at B.D. Riley’s or the American Outlaws energy at Haymaker.

What’s on the screens year-round: Serie A (AC Milan in particular), Premier League weekend mornings, Scottish Premiership (Celtic), Champions League, MLS, USMNT friendlies.

Best for: Italy fans, Scotland fans, AC Milan and Celtic supporters, anyone wanting Austin’s most unpretentious dedicated soccer pub.