The Bay Area Host Committee announced Tuesday that more than 30 free fan zones and watch party locations will open across the region for the FIFA World Cup 2026, giving residents from San Francisco to Santa Cruz a chance to watch matches in their own communities.

The committee said the public viewing sites will begin June 11 and will include venues throughout the Bay Area, along with participating sports bars and neighborhood watch parties.

“This regional approach reflects our commitment to inclusivity and gives every county and community the opportunity to activate and be part of this historic moment,” said Zaileen Janmohamed, president and CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee.

Where Are the Fan Zones?

In San Francisco, fan zones will include Thrive City, China Basin Park at Mission Rock, PIER 39, Yerba Buena Lane, The Midway, and The Crossing at East Cut.

East Bay locations will include the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Raimondi Park, downtown Oakland, the Hoffmann Theater at Lesher Center for the Arts, the SS Red Oak Victory Historic Ship, and East Brother Beer Company.

South Bay sites will feature a San Jose Earthquakes Soccer Celebration in San Pedro Square, along with events at Santana Row, Civic Center Plaza, the Milpitas Community Center, Morgan Hill, and Cityline Redwood Square.

Additional watch parties are planned in the North Bay, including Sausalito, Napa Valley and Santa Rosa. Peninsula locations include Courthouse Square, Central Park, Wheeler Parking Plaza, Half Moon Bay, Burlingame and Mountain View.

In Santa Cruz, fans will be able to gather at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History.

The Marquee Events

The committee highlighted several marquee events, including an opening weekend celebration beginning June 11 in San Jose at San Pedro Square. The event will be presented by the Bay Area Host Committee and SJ26 and will include activations from Kaiser Permanente, Genentech, and PG&E.

In San Francisco, Thrive City will host watch parties June 12 for the United States-Paraguay match and June 18 for Mexico-South Korea.

The Bay Area Host Committee also announced plans for Pride House SF events, including a “Family Day” watch party June 19 for the United States-Australia match at The Crossing at East Cut and an SF Pride watch party June 25 for the United States-Türkiye match at Yerba Buena Lane.

Resources to Host a Public Screening

To encourage more local watch parties, the committee released a “2026 Bay Area Public Screening Playbook” with FIFA public-viewing guidelines, templates and promotional materials for bars, restaurants and community groups interested in hosting their own events.

Janmohamed said the goal is to give fans multiple ways to participate.

“We’re empowering the entire region to celebrate — whether you’re gathering at a major fan zone, supporting a local restaurant hosting a watch party, or catching a match with friends at your neighborhood bar,” she said. “This is a moment for all of us to come together.”

The committee said all watch parties will be free and open to the public. Final locations and dates remain subject to approval by FIFA and broadcast partners.

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