🎉 Fan Zones
Bay Area is the ONLY US host city with TWO official FIFA Fan Festivals — Embarcadero Plaza (San Francisco) for the iconic city experience, and Plaza de César Chávez (San Jose) for closer-to-stadium proximity. Plus neighborhood watch parties from the Mission to North Beach to Oakland.
Two Fan Festivals
Free Entry
Live Screens
Official Fan Festivals · Two Sites
Bay Area FIFA Fan Festivals
The Bay Area is unique among US host cities — the regional split between San Francisco and the South Bay (where the stadium actually sits) led the host committee to operate two official FIFA Fan Festivals. Both are FREE, open all tournament long (June 11 - July 19), feature giant LED screens for all 104 matches, and offer cultural programming.
Official FIFA Fan Festival · SF
FIFA Fan Festival San Francisco — Embarcadero Plaza
Embarcadero / Ferry Building Waterfront · Downtown San Francisco
The San Francisco FIFA Fan Festival anchors the Embarcadero Plaza waterfront — adjacent to the Ferry Building Marketplace, with views of the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. FREE entry, all ages welcome. Massive LED wall for live match broadcasts (all 104 World Cup matches), FIFA legends appearances, mascots, cultural showcases of the Bay Area's diverse communities (Chinese, Filipino, Latin American, South Asian, Burmese, Vietnamese), and Bay Area food vendors. Direct BART (Embarcadero Station) and MUNI F-Line streetcar access. The iconic SF Fan Festival experience — but if you're attending matches, plan the 90-min trip to Levi's Stadium afterward.
Jun 11 – Jul 19
FREE Entry
All Ages
Bay Bridge views
FIFA Legends
Bay Area Food Vendors
→ BART Embarcadero Station (FREE walk) · or MUNI F-Line streetcar · or 10-min walk from Union Square hotels.
Embarcadero Plaza on Maps ↗
Official FIFA Fan Festival · San Jose
FIFA Fan Festival San Jose — Plaza de César Chávez
Plaza de César Chávez · Downtown San Jose
The South Bay's FIFA Fan Festival at Plaza de César Chávez is the smart base if you're attending matches at Levi's Stadium — VTA Light Rail Orange Line connects directly from the plaza to Great America Station at the stadium (~25 min). Surrounded by San Jose's downtown food scene (San Pedro Square Market, Original Joe's, Vietnamese banh mi shops). Strong Latin American and Vietnamese-American supporter culture. Kids zone, Bay Area-Mexican-Latin food vendors, live music programming nightly.
Jun 11 – Jul 19
FREE Entry
Closer to stadium
VTA direct to Levi's
Live Music
→ VTA Light Rail Orange Line direct to Great America Station (the stadium). 25-min ride.
Plaza de César Chávez on Maps ↗
SF Adjacent · Civic Center
Civic Center Plaza (San Francisco)
Civic Center BART Station · Larkin & McAllister Sts
Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall hosts secondary screening events on big match days — free outdoor screens for high-profile matches, food trucks, and beer gardens. Direct BART (Civic Center Station) and MUNI Metro access. Walking distance from Hayes Valley restaurants and the SF Symphony.
FREE
Outdoor Screens
BART access
→ BART Civic Center Station — direct from Embarcadero, Mission, SFO.
San Jose · Avaya Stadium-area
SAP Center / San Pedro Square
Around SAP Center · Downtown San Jose
The SAP Center area (home of the San Jose Sharks and Earthquakes MLS soccer) hosts pre/post-Plaza de César Chávez events. San Pedro Square Market is an open-air food hall with multiple bars and patios — strong watch-party scene. Walking distance to Plaza de César Chávez Fan Festival.
FREE
Food Hall
Walkable
→ Walking distance from Plaza de César Chávez · or VTA Convention Center.
Bar Watch Parties
Watch Parties Around the Bay
Beyond the official fan zones, the Bay Area's bar scene packs for the World Cup — Earthquakes (San Jose) and 1906 supporters groups have built strong soccer-watching culture. These districts will be loud and full for every match.
Mad Dog in the Fog · Lower Haight (SF)
SF's most-loved English-style soccer pub since 1991. Opens at dawn for European kickoffs. Sea of England, Scotland, Ireland kits at major matches.
The Black Horse London Pub · Polk Gulch (SF)
Tiny ($) traditional English pub with serious World Cup energy. Walking distance from Swan Oyster Depot.
Maggie McGarry's · North Beach (SF)
Irish pub adjacent to City Lights / Vesuvio. Strong Irish, Scottish, and English supporter contingents.
Original Joe's · San Jose
Italian-American institution with multiple TVs — strong Italian, Spanish, and South American crowds. Walking distance from Plaza de César Chávez Fan Festival.
The Caña Cuban Parlor · Oakland
Latin American supporter destination in Oakland. Cuba, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico crowds. BART Lake Merritt or 19th St.
The Page · Polk Gulch (SF)
Beloved SF dive bar — multiple TVs, wide soccer crowd. Walking distance from Swan Oyster Depot for pre-match meals.
Kennedy's Irish Pub · North Beach (SF)
Irish pub with Indian curry kitchen — unusual combo, strong English/Irish/Indian supporter crowds.
Old Pro · Palo Alto / Stanford
Stanford-area sports bar with packed FIFA crowd. Useful for Stanford / Palo Alto-based fans pre-VTA-to-stadium.
Fan Zone Tips
01Both Fan Festivals run the FULL tournament (June 11 – July 19) — including all 6 Bay Area matches plus the Final broadcast. No advance pass required.
02Pick your Fan Festival by where you're staying: SF hotels → Embarcadero, San Jose / Santa Clara hotels → Plaza de César Chávez. The 90-min cross-Bay trip isn't worth it just for the festival.
03SF afternoon weather is foggy and 60-65°F — bring a windbreaker for Embarcadero Plaza. Plaza de César Chávez (San Jose) is sunny and 80°F — opposite climates, plan accordingly.
04Embarcadero Plaza has Bay Bridge views at sunset — the most photogenic Fan Festival in the country. Plan an evening match around sunset (8:30 PM in June).
05San Pedro Square Market (San Jose) and Ferry Building Marketplace (SF) both adjacent to their respective Fan Festivals — solid food hall options for groups.