Quick answer: For an Irish-pub matchday → Culhane’s Irish Pub. For a huge beer list and early kickoffs → Kickbacks Gastropub in Riverside (opens 7 a.m. daily). For Mexico / El Tri → Champion’s Mexican Sports Bar. For Germany and a beer garden → Hoptinger in Riverside. For a family-friendly pizza-and-bar spot → V Pizza + Sidecar. Bonus: Orlando’s free Soccer Celebration is about 2.5 hours south.
The 2026 World Cup runs June 11 through July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and Jacksonville — a city that knows big-event sports (it hosts the annual Florida-Georgia game and has welcomed the London-bound Jaguars crowd for years) — has a solid spread of pubs and sports bars for the tournament. Jacksonville isn’t a host city, but its Irish pubs and beer halls are ready, and there’s plenty within day-trip range. Here are the five best places to watch.
Culhane’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Southside (and the Beaches)
9720 Deer Lake Ct, Jacksonville, FL 32246
phone: 904-619-3177
https://www.culhanesirishpub.com/
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Culhane’s is Jacksonville’s beloved Irish pub — family-run by the Culhane sisters, a genuine pub-and-sports-bar with plenty of TVs and an electric atmosphere for big matches, where the owner personally works the room on game days. With proper Irish food, Irish and local beers, weekend opens at 9 a.m., and a Southside and a Beaches location, it’s the natural all-nations gathering spot for the World Cup — and the best USA-match room in town.
World Cup angle: Jacksonville’s top Irish pub — electric, family-run, with early weekend opens; the city’s go-to for USMNT and the European nations.
What’s on the screens year-round: Premier League, internationals, and all major sports.
Best for: Fans who want a genuine, lively Irish pub (with two locations to choose from).
Kickbacks Gastropub
Riverside
910 King St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
phone: 904-388-9551
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Kickbacks is a Riverside institution — a three-floor gastropub with one of the most insane beer selections in the state, around 20 TVs, and creative food, open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. every single day. Those early opens make it ideal for the morning kickoffs, and the deep tap list (German imports included) and quirky steampunk decor make it a fun, all-nations base for any match on the calendar. A true any-time, any-team watch spot.
World Cup angle: A three-floor gastropub open at 7 a.m. — perfect for early kickoffs, with ~20 TVs and a massive beer list.
What’s on the screens year-round: Soccer and all major sports, all day.
Best for: Beer fans and early risers who want the morning matches covered.
Champion’s Mexican Sports Bar
Baymeadows
10920 Baymeadows Rd #33, Jacksonville, FL 32256
phone: 904-379-9266
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For El Tri, Champion’s Mexican Sports Bar in Baymeadows is the move — a bright, vibrant, highly rated spot with sports on the screens, excellent fresh Mexican food (street tacos, birria, California burritos), and great margaritas. It’s a clean, welcoming, family-friendly room that brings genuine cantina energy for Mexico match days, and a flavorful change of pace from the city’s Irish pubs. A standout for the Latino slate.
World Cup angle: A vibrant Mexican sports bar — fresh tacos, margaritas, and El Tri on the screens.
What’s on the screens year-round: Liga MX, El Tri, and big matches.
Best for: Mexico fans who want authentic food with the match.
Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House
Riverside
1037 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
phone: 904-903-4112
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A short walk from Kickbacks in Riverside, Hoptinger is a German-style bier garden and sausage house — a big beer list, bratwurst and pub fare, a lively atmosphere, and late hours. It’s a fun, beer-forward room for a Germany match (or any nation), and pairs perfectly with a Riverside bar-hop alongside Kickbacks. Roomy, social, and squarely built for a beer-and-a-match afternoon.
World Cup angle: A German bier garden with bratwurst and a big beer list — a beer-forward base for Germany and beyond.
What’s on the screens year-round: Big matches during the tournament; German-style beer year-round.
Best for: Beer-garden fans and a Germany-match crowd.
V Pizza + Sidecar
Southside / Gate Parkway
7510 Gate Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256
phone: 904-431-0833
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V Pizza + Sidecar pairs authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza with a full bar (the Sidecar side) and screens for the matches — a higher-end, family-friendly option on Gate Parkway with great food and a comfortable atmosphere. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing pick when your group wants excellent pizza and cocktails with the game rather than a packed pub, and the Sidecar’s larger tables suit bigger parties. Quality and comfort.
World Cup angle: Wood-fired pizza plus a full bar and screens — a comfortable, family-friendly match spot.
What’s on the screens year-round: Big matches plus major sports.
Best for: Families and groups who want great pizza and cocktails with the match.
