Doncaster Named One of the UK’s Top Spots for World Cup Matchdays
England’s defeat to France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter-final was watched by an average of 20 million people in the UK, and with viewing figures expected to reach record highs in 2026, demand for the best matchday venues is only set to increase.1 Searches for “England World Cup screenings” and “best pubs to watch football” are already rising by 80%, as supporters look for the perfect atmosphere.2
Keen to uncover the best places to soak up the action, the experts at Live Football Tickets have ranked UK cities based on affordability, pub availability, screen access, and expected crowd levels, revealing where fans will get the best (and worst) matchday experience.
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Key findings:
Best overall matchday city: Belfast ranks first overall with a Matchday Score of 8.52/10
Stafford offers the cheapest average pint at just £2.50, less than half the price of cities like London (£5.64).
London leads the way with 316 venues featuring beer gardens, offering the most outdoor viewing options for fans.
Belfast offers the highest screen density at 1.59 screens per 1,000 residents, nearly 4x higher than London (0.40).
Best UK Cities to Watch England at the 2026 World Cup
1. Belfast Matchday Score: 8.52/10
Average pint: £5.50
Beer gardens: 39
Match screens: 437
Screens per 1,000 people: 1.59
Total pubs: 128
Pubs per 1,000 people: 0.47
2. London Matchday Score: 8.42/10
Average pint: £5.64
Beer gardens: 316
Match screens: 2,900
Screens per 1,000 people: 0.40
Total pubs: 827
Pubs per 1,000 people: 0.11
3. Glasgow Matchday Score: 8.20/10
Average pint: £4.98
Beer gardens: 35
Match screens: 366
Screens per 1,000 people: 0.62
Total pubs: 82
Pubs per 1,000 people: 0.14
4. Bristol Matchday Score: 8.13/10
5. Leeds Matchday Score: 8.10/10
6. Nottingham Matchday Score: 8.09/10
7. Liverpool Matchday Score: 8.02/10
8. Manchester Matchday Score: 7.91/10
9. Newcastle Matchday Score: 7.60/10
10. Birmingham Matchday Score: 7.11/10
11. Edinburgh Matchday Score: 6.73/10
12. Sheffield Matchday Score: 6.59/10
13. Southampton Matchday Score: 6.54/10
14. York Matchday Score: 6.41/10
15. Brighton Matchday Score: 6.41/10
16. Blackpool Matchday Score: 6.27/10
17. Chester Matchday Score: 5.97/10
18. Milton Keynes Matchday Score: 5.77/10
19. Leicester Matchday Score: 5.29/10
20. Doncaster Matchday Score: 5.29/10
21. Sunderland Matchday Score: 3.18/10
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Doncaster also scores 5.29/10 and benefits from low drink prices and reasonable screen coverage relative to its population. A limited number of beer gardens and overall venues, however, reduce its matchday atmosphere score.
Belfast ranks as the best city for watching the World Cup
Taking the top spot is Belfast, scoring an impressive 8.52 out of 10. The city stands out for its exceptional viewing access, offering the highest number of screens per person of any UK city analysed at 1.59 per 1,000 residents, almost four times higher than London’s 0.40. This gives fans significantly more choice when it comes to finding a place to watch the match.
Belfast also excels when it comes to crowding. With just 2,147 people per pub, demand is far lower than in larger cities, 84% less than Birmingham’s 13,124. This is reinforced by its leading pub density of 0.47 pubs per 1,000 residents, the highest of any city analysed, meaning fans are far more likely to secure a spot without needing to arrive hours early.
The city also delivers a well-rounded matchday experience. With 39 beer gardens and 46 venues offering live football commentary, Belfast combines accessibility with atmosphere, making it the most fan-friendly destination overall.
London ranks second despite crowding challenges
In second place is London, scoring 8.42 out of 10. The capital dominates in sheer scale, boasting 2,900 match screens and 827 pubs, alongside an impressive 668 venues offering live, around 1,350% more than Belfast (46). This means fans are never short of options in absolute terms.
However, once adjusted for population, London’s advantage narrows. With just 0.40 screens per 1,000 residents, the capital offers 62% fewer screens per person than Newcastle upon Tyne (1.05). Crowding is London’s biggest drawback, with 9,139 people per pub, fans face over 50% more than in Manchester (5,993). While London offers unmatched scale and atmosphere, fans may need to plan and arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.
Glasgow rounds off the top three for World Cup viewing
Glasgow ranks third, achieving a score of 8.20 out of 10, thanks to its strong balance of affordability, access, and atmosphere. With an average pint price of £4.98, it is around 12% cheaper than London (£5.64), making it a more accessible option for fans planning multiple matchdays.
In terms of crowding, Glasgow performs solidly, with 7,214 people per pub, 45% lower than Birmingham (13,124) and 29% lower than Nottingham (10,139), offering a more manageable matchday experience without sacrificing atmosphere. The city also benefits from strong venue availability. With 82 pubs, Glasgow has 61% more pubs than nearby Edinburgh (51), giving fans considerably more choice within a similar regional footprint.
Maarten Zomerdijk, Co-CEO of Live Football Tickets, comments:
“With record-breaking audiences expected for the 2026 World Cup, the demand for high-quality matchday viewing experiences in pubs and sports venues is set to surge. What this research shows is that the best cities aren’t always the biggest, they’re the ones that balance screen availability with manageable crowd levels and strong local venue density. For fans, that balance will be key to enjoying the tournament atmosphere without the stress of overcrowding.”