The 2026 World Cup runs June 11 through July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and Charlotte — now one of the South’s real soccer cities — is buzzing for it even though it isn’t a host. Here are the five best places to watch.
Courtyard Hooligans
Uptown / Brevard Court
140 Brevard Court, Charlotte, NC 28202
phone: 704-376-2238
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Courtyard Hooligans is Charlotte’s OG soccer bar — a top spot for international soccer and USMNT games since 2009, tucked into Uptown’s Brevard Court across from Romare Bearden Park. It’s an intimate, brick-lined pub that’s always packed for major tournaments, opening early for overseas kickoffs with plenty of TVs (and overflow seating on the court). Get there early for big matches; you’ll likely be standing, and that’s part of the charm.
World Cup angle: Charlotte’s original soccer bar — the diehards’ home for international matches and the USMNT.
What’s on the screens year-round: USMNT, Premier League, Champions League, and international soccer.
Best for: Soccer purists who want the city’s most committed (and most packed) room.
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille
Dilworth
911 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28204
phone: 704-377-3808
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Dilworth Neighborhood Grille is the home of the Queen City Outlaws — the local U.S. Soccer (American Outlaws) supporters’ group. It’s a roomy sports bar with big screens, a patio, and a full menu (with solid gluten-free options), open till 2 a.m. daily. When the USMNT plays, this is where the Outlaws gather — a comfortable, all-day base for USA matches and the broader tournament.
World Cup angle: Home of the Queen City Outlaws — Charlotte’s USMNT supporters’ gathering spot.
What’s on the screens year-round: USMNT, all major sports, and big matches. Best for: USA supporters who want the Outlaws crowd and room to spread out.
Salud Beer Shop
NoDa
3306 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
phone: 980-495-6612
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Salud is the NoDa beer destination — a three-time USA Today “10Best” Best Beer Bar in the U.S. winner, with an incredible tap and bottle list, a bottle shop downstairs and a restaurant (great pizza) upstairs. The screens run Charlotte FC, Premier League, and international soccer, so it’s a fantastic spot to catch a World Cup match with a serious beer in hand.
World Cup angle: A top U.S. beer bar in NoDa — World Cup matches with craft beer and pizza.
What’s on the screens year-round: Charlotte FC, Premier League, and international soccer.
Best for: Craft-beer fans and Charlotte FC supporters in NoDa.
Rà Rá Irish Pub
Uptown / Tryon Street
208 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
phone: 704-333-5554
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Rà Rá is the handsome Uptown Irish pub — Charlotte’s Arsenal bar, with Guinness, fish and chips, bangers and mash, an upstairs whiskey bar, and weekend opens at 10 a.m. It’s a warm, atmospheric base for England and the European nations, central to the Uptown hotels and a short walk from Courtyard Hooligans for a bar-hop. A reliable, proper-pub pick.
World Cup angle: Uptown’s Irish pub (and Arsenal home) — a proper-pub base for England and the European field.
What’s on the screens year-round: Premier League, internationals, and major matches.
Best for: England, Arsenal, and European-nation supporters who want a classic pub.
Al Chile Sport Bar
University / North Tryon
6701 N Tryon St Unit L, Charlotte, NC 28213
phone: 704-615-5337
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For El Tri, Al Chile is a Mexican sports bar on North Tryon — great food, a festive, family feel, pool tables, music, and late hours (open till 2 a.m. on weekends). It’s a lively, community-rooted spot in one of Charlotte’s Latino corridors, exactly the kind of room you want for a Mexico match day. A welcome change of pace from the Uptown pubs.
World Cup angle: A Mexican sports bar for El Tri match days — food, music, and a festive crowd on North Tryon.
What’s on the screens year-round: Liga MX, El Tri, and big matches.
Best for: Mexico fans who want a festive cantina-sports-bar atmosphere.
