Football fans in Preston will have no shortage of places to watch the upcoming men’s World Cup, with three dedicated fan zones launching across the city alongside dozens of pubs, bars and venues screening matches.
The fan zones are being organised at Stage City, Chew’s Yard and ARTCH Studios, with each offering a different way to experience the tournament.
Stage City opposite the Bus Station will host screenings of England v Croatia on Wednesday 17 June and England v Ghana on Tuesday 23 June.
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The matches will be shown on two huge LED screens with sound, lighting and confetti effects for goals. There will be DJs, food and drinks, and organisers promise festival vibes with space for everyone, from die-hard fans to families.
Starting at £6, tickets for the last 32 and the final can be purchased via Stage City with a money back guarantee if the Three Lions fail to progress to those stages.
Chew’s Yard will also be screening England’s two opening World Cup fixtures, plus the game against Panama on Saturday 27 June.
Supporters can choose between free entry in the food and drink hall or pay £4 for guaranteed seating and table service in the venue’s event space. Tickets are available via Chew’s Yard on Skiddle.
In addition, the venue is hosting a free football-themed family crafts afternoon on Saturday 13 June in partnership with Preston North End Community and Education Trust and the National Football Museum. Families can drop in throughout the afternoon, and tickets for interactive storytelling sessions can be booked via Chew’s Yard on Skiddle.
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Meanwhile, ARTCH Studios is taking a different approach. The Gradwell Street arts venue has launched what it describes as Preston’s ‘alternative football fan zone’, aimed at people who love the game but prefer a more relaxed atmosphere to enjoy it in.
England’s group games will be shown on a big screen inside the venue’s railway arch studio, with attendance limited to 60 people. Guests get a guaranteed seat at a table and there will be a separate chillout space for taking a break from the action.
ARTCH founder Mark Walsh said the idea came from recognising that not everyone enjoys watching football in crowded pubs surrounded by shouting and chanting. “We wanted to create something different for Preston – a fan zone where everyone feels welcome, comfortable and able to enjoy the World Cup in their own way,” he said.
Tickets are available via Artch on Skiddle for £10 plus a £1.25 booking fee. Each guest will receive £10 in tokens for the bar upon arrival.
Other places showing the World Cup
Away from the dedicated fan zones, many of Preston’s pubs and bars are also preparing for a busy month of football. The Adelphi, Brooklyn Sports Bar in Level, Chain House Brewing Co and Taproom, The Mad Giant, Molly O’Malley’s, The Moorbrook, Ships and Giggles, The Station, and Wings and Beer Co have all confirmed plans to screen matches throughout the tournament. More details are available via each venue’s socials or the Visit Preston website.
For fans looking for something a bit different, The Arc Cinema at Animate will be showing England’s group games on the big screen. Organisers are describing it as the ‘ultimate way to experience the drama, atmosphere and excitement, with every goal, foul and moment in Dolby surround sound and 4K laser projection’.
Tickets are available via The Arc Cinema as a cinema combo, which includes a small contribution towards a local grassroots youth football team. The venue is also hosting two FC26 World Cup tournaments on Saturday 20 June, with separate competitions for under-13s and those aged 13 and over.
Where will you be watching England this summer? Let us know in the comments.
