World Cup in Nottingham — 8 of the best ways to watch the beautiful game
From pubs to parties, our sports writer has picked his top spots
The club football season is over, age old debates about who the biggest team in Nottingham is can be shelved, and we can all come together in our favourite England shirts and take in the feast of football that is the World Cup.
The squad has been picked – Forest’s Elliot Anderson has made the squad – and the fixtures are locked in, meaning that all that is left is to pick the venue.
There will be some late nights involved here – England’s group games take place at:
9pm, Wednesday, June 17 vs Croatia
9pm, Tuesday, June 23 vs Ghana
10pm, Saturday, June 27 vs Panama
There are countless combinations for the quarter and semi finals to be confirmed, but the final is at 8pm on Sunday, July 19 (I’m making no promises about who will be playing!).
I’ve picked out some of my favourites for all occasions, whether I’m wanting to celebrate victory with a lovely pint in a pub or comfort eat through another crushing disappointment. For more guides and events, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
8 of the best ways to watch the World Cup in Nottingham
By Sam Swain
1. BOX Nottingham
The one to watch the most possible games in
Where: Thurland Street
Booking required?: Advised, particularly for England games
This year’s tournament features 48 teams from across the globe and is hosted in three different countries, so games will be on at the same time and at all hours. Wanting to make the most of this? BOX has an array of big and small screens, as well as a wide selection of food and drink and shuffleboard for half time. BOX will be showing games that are on during its opening hours, so it’s the best way to watch as much football as possible as the tournament unfolds.
Do if: The prospect of watching Bosnia vs Qatar and Switzerland vs Canada at the same time is what the World Cup is about for you.
2. The Kilpin
The one with international beers
Where: Bridlesmith Gate
Booking required? No
Named after Nottingham’s own AC Milan founder Herbert Kilpin, this is quite possibly my favourite city centre pub, with a fantastic range of European beers and an excellent Sunday roast. It is also celebrating its 10th anniversary on June 11, and will be pouring beers from Handpicked Drinks from then into the World Cup. My pick is the Cherry Chouffe from Belgium, which will make a great sipper into the late World Cup evenings. The World Cup will be shown on the TVs both upstairs and downstairs, as well as in the courtyard.
Do if: You want to take in the World Cup and expand your beer palate.
3. Bustler
The one for the foodies
Where: Sneinton Market
Booking required? Yes – tickets from £5.50pp
Want to eat your way around the world while the World Cup is on? Bustler Market is the best way to do this, with kitchens representing flavours from reigning champions Argentina (Banquet 1415), Japan (Big Mouth Gyoza) and co-hosts America (Dirty Chicken). I’m gutted Italy didn’t qualify, but Little Big Sicily will be on hand to represent them during the tournament. Throw in happy hours, quizzes, and the vibrant Sneinton market atmosphere and Bustler is a must-visit this World Cup.
Do if: You just can’t watch football on an empty stomach.
4. Splendour
The one for when you’re at a big festival
Where: Wollaton Park
Booking required?: Yes – day tickets from £85.60pp adult, £64.20pp child
Booked your Splendour tickets, but forgot the World Cup was on? Not to worry – the festival will be showing the final at 8pm. If England makes it all the way, the main stage will transform into a fan park to take in what could be a historic night. Rest assured though, there will be no clashes between the final and the festival’s headliners so, whatever the result, Snow Patrol will make for a great afterparty.
Do if: You want to see England (hopefully) in a historic game surrounded by fellow Splendour revellers.
5. Rock City
The one with the best party
Where: Talbot Street
Booking required? Yes – pre-sale sign-up open
Rock City has to be one of the city’s most iconic venues. It’s not just excellent for gigs – with its huge screen, two pint steins, and a stadium-style atmosphere, it’s also a fantastic place to watch the World Cup. With DJs before and post-match parties, it’s the place to go to make the most of the late-night matches. While it will not be showing the group games, it will show games when England (hopefully) progresses to the knockout phase.
Do if: You want to go to one of the city’s best football celebrations.
6. The Nest
The one for the best atmosphere
Where: Iremonger Road
Booking required? Yes – from £8.80pp
It’s been a season to remember for both of Nottingham’s football clubs, with Forest reaching a European semi-final and Notts County getting promoted to League One. The Nest, adjacent to Meadow Lane and run by Notts County, is one of the city’s best sports and event spaces. The Nest is indoors, so no need to worry about the great British summertime, and will have one of the livelier atmospheres of the summer. We took in a few games during the European Championships in 2024, and the place was rocking.
Do if: You want to sing your heart out and chant along with other fans.
7. The Bodega
The one for the night out after
Where: Pelham Street
Booking required? Yes – pre-sale sign-up open
Having recently hosted Dot to Dot Festival, The Bodega is known for great music, lively club nights, and a generous happy hour – so I’m happy to see it will have the World Cup on an outdoor screen. It has recently started slinging Detroit-style pizza slices at the Bodega Slab Co. These would pair perfectly with the special VARgerita (here’s hoping they don’t serve it to you then take it away!). Extend your night with one of their club nights.
Do if: You’d like to dance the night away to indie classics (Wednesday) or 00s music (Saturdays) until 3am after the game.
8. And, for not going out…
The one for getting your feet up
Where: Your house
Booking required? No
It’s staying home. There are so many games in this tournament, and they are on very late – but that doesn’t mean you can’t put on a quality spread at your house. Put on your Art of World Cup (art-of.com) shirt (its John Barnes rap tee in my basket right now), pick up beer from Neon Raptor (neonraptorbrewingco.com), nibbles from Essen General Store (essen-generalstore.co.uk), a bake-at-home pizza from Working Man’s Kitchen (@workingmanskitchen), and set yourself up for self up for as much football as you can possibly watch.
Do if: You just want to get to bed as soon as the game finishes.
🤳 Keep up with us on socials on Instagram and TikTok
✉️ Send stories such as press releases and feature ideas to editor@thenottsedit.com
💰 Want to feature your business in The Notts Edit? Email Eve Smallman at editor@thenottsedit.com for a chat
☕ Enjoying The Notts Edit? Buy us a coffee on Ko-Fi and help fuel our words