The nation has been captivated by the Women’s World Cup this year, and low and behold England’s Lionesses have made it to the final! Fans are daring to believe that it could actually be coming home, so best make the most of it and soak up the magic at one of these World Cup screenings. Manchester was officially crowned the best place in the UK to watch the Euros, and the Women’s World Cup final will be no different.
From official fan zones to your classic pubs and sports bars with large screens, here are the best places to watch the final of the Women’s World Cup 2023 in Manchester, where England face Spain on Sunday 20 August at 11am.
1. O’Neill’s, Printworks
After an exciting visit from ex-Lioness Ellen White recently, Irish pub O’Neill’s is buzzing for the Women’s World Cup. World Cup fever is coursing through the Printworks, and fans can book in to ensure seats for the grand final. With seven TV screens, including a whopping 78-inch screen, and private booths available, O’Neill’s is a strong contender when it comes to watching any type of sport in Manchester, and the Women’s World Cup has been no different.
O’Neill’s, The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Greater, Manchester, M4 2BS.
2. BOX Bar
One of Manchester’s most popular dedicated sports bars, BOX Bar is the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere during the Women’s World Cup final.
Even if you’re not cheering on your team, you’re sure to enjoy their classic bar grub (crowd-pleasing with plenty of burgers and pizzas, of course), alongside cocktail steins, spacious bar area for both seating and standing, and plenty of big screens to watch the matches on.
BOX Bar, 125 Deansgate, M3 2BY.
3. Tib Street Tavern
A popular spot when the football’s on – particularly on Derby Days – the Tib Street Tavern can be found nestled down the Northern Quarter’s curious Tib Street, offering proper pub vibes with screens at every turn. The atmosphere is absolutely buzzing with football fans, with two floors for fans to spread out across and find a spot to watch the match – but be warned, this Sunday’s final is sure to be packed out.
Tib Street Tavern, 74 Tib St, M4 1LG.
4. The Director’s Box
Fans don’t have to travel far from the city centre to catch the action at the Women’s World Cup final, with The Director’s Box showing every game in the heart of the city, just off St Peter’s Square. On top of all the Lioness thrills, this popular sports bar also offers up a wide range of craft beer, filling food and even a bottomless brunch option, so you can elevate your Women’s World Cup final experience.
The Director’s Box, 37 Booth St, M2 4AA.
5. The Turing Tap
Housing its very own sports fan zone, The Turing Tap is a staple for any sports fan in Manchester. The entire Women’s World Cup has of course been screened here, as well as offering an exclusive Lioness Bottomless Brunch – kick back with brunch plates and say cheers with bottomless boozy tipples while you cheer on the Lionesses for their biggest test yet. You can book here, but be quick, it’s sure to sell out.
The Turing Tap, 421-423 Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9WG.
6. Brickhouse Social
Manchester bar Brickhouse Social will be showing the Women’s World Cup final across their three-floor venue. Boasting 12 screens, six of which are over 120 inches, the venue will also be dressed for the occasion in World Cup décor, and the pizza menu features a number of flavours including the ‘Chick’ille O’Neill’, a smokey chilli chicken pizza and the ‘Lindsay Lo-ham’, topped with Parma Ham, Rocket and Balsamic, all to accompany a good pint and hopefully a big time England win.
Brickhouse Social, 11-13 New Wakefield St, M1 5NP.
7. Contact Theatre
Usually known for presenting wonderful emerging talent in the performing arts, Contact Theatre is proud to be hosting a massive screening of the Women’s World Cup final in its wonderful theatre space. Don’t miss a minute of the action and get down to Contact for fun, friendly screenings of the beautiful game – tickets for the final on Sunday are currently sold out, but you can email boxoffice@contactmcr.com to join the waitlist.
Contact Theatre, The University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M15 6JA.
8. Bierkeller
One of the Printworks’ thriving venues, the Manchester Bierkeller frequently screens live sports – with over twenty screens, three projector screens and a massive LED superscreen to accommodate footy fans. Bookings are now open for the Women’s World Cup final screening, so you can snap up a table ready for the match. Enjoy cold beers, steins and pitchers, as well as 8-pint beer towers, stein cocktails and more.
Manchester Bierkeller, The Printworks, Withy Grove, M4 2BS.
9. Vue Printworks
In a break from showing worldwide blockbusters and the best of independent film, Vue at the Printworks will be screening the Women’s World Cup final as England face Spain. Get the big screen experience of the beautiful game, in a room full of enthusiastic fans, just don’t go throwing pints around in celebration! You can book here.
Vue, The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester, M4 2BS.
10. Walkabout
You may have noticed that the Women’s World Cup is taking place in Australia and New Zealand, so as an Aussie concept, you’d be right in thinking that Walkabout would be well up for it. There may be some bitter faces rooting for Spain after England’s Lionesses knocked out Australia in the semi-finals, but the occasion should instill some positivity in the crowd. Get your dose of the competition during Women’s World Cup final at Walkabout, bringing a little bit of Australia to Manchester – book here.
Walkabout, The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester, M4 2BS.
11. Cafe Football
As the name would suggest, Old Trafford’s Cafe Football is just mad about the beautiful game. Of course that means you can count on Cafe Football to screen the Women’s World Cup final, whether you’re Manchester United mad or not, with the usual tasty treats and drinks galore to accompany the game. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you want to secure a spot you can book here.
Cafe Football, 99 Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester, M16 0SZ.
12. The Crafty Pig
With cosy yet modern pub energy, the NQ’s Crafty Pig is a lovely spot to hunker down in on a rainy day, and very convenient if you’re exploring all the city has to offer. The Crafty Pig will be showing all the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday, with a whole host of drink options, pub grub and areas to explore, just book in and enjoy!
The Crafty Pig, 4 Oldham St, Manchester, M1 1JQ.
13. The Pen and Pencil
Cool Manchester brunch spot The Pen and Pencil is the ultimate weekend hangout, and now you can watch England’s Lionesses go for victory at the Women’s World Cup final. Think amazing food, with the match starting in the morning, full of sourdough, eggs, avo, full English’s, you name it! Scran all the grub, get a drink and sit back and relax whilst you watch the Lionesses smash it. Book here.
The Pen and Pencil, Fourways House, 57 Hilton St, Manchester, M1 2EJ.
14. The Oxnoble
Much-loved Castlefield pub The Oxnoble will of course be showing the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, keeping up with the Manchester traditions of football-loving and trailblazing, just like the Lionesses. Showing the highly-anticipated final, The Oxnoble continues to champion change, as well as offering a fine selection of beverages to wash down the match with. If you fancy your chances, walk-ins are welcome, but you can secure a spot here.
The Oxnoble, 71 Liverpool Rd, Manchester, M3 4NQ.
15. HOME MCR
HOME Bar and Kitchen at HOME MCR is screening the Lionesses in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday at 11am, where fans will be able to watch England go head to head with Spain at HOME’s uber comfy outdoor screen seating area on First Street.
The team will be serving artisan coffees and cocktails from their very own Homebrew Van, parked up just outside of HOME itself. There’s also a very special, limited edition Lioness coconut cocktail on offer from HOME Bar and Kitchen, made with tequila, cointreau, lime, coconut milk and agave syrup – what a way to celebrate the girls!
HOME MCR, 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester, M15 4FN.
16. Society
Society, Manchester’s independent street food and craft beer hideaway is screening the Women’s World Cup final, with all traders in action to keep you going throughout. The likes of Noi Quattro pizza, Chaat Cart and Slap & Pickle will be around to keep you topped up, as will the wonderful Society bar, serving any and all drinks you heart desires.
Society will be screening the highly anticipated match on an epic big screen, all whilst serving footy fans the best and biggest beer collection in Manchester. There’s a whopping 44 beer taps at this MCR hidden gem, so whether it’s a win or lose for England, there’ll still be guaranteed good times.
Society, Basement, 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester, M2 3BD.
17. King Pins
The ‘Crown Jewels of Bowling’ King Pins is a new spot to catch the action of this season’s Premier League and Women’s World Cup matches, including the final of course, whilst still getting your game on. With its complete entertainment offering, it’s great for keeping up to date with the score and competing against your mates. King Pins’ full-service bar serves a huge selection of bottled and draught beers including beer from local Salford brewery, Seven Bro7hers, plus you can tuck into scran from Little Bao Boy, PLY and desserts kiosk, Royal Treats.
King Pins, Trafford Palazzo, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 8AS.
18. National Football Museum
From 10am on Sunday, the legendary National Football Museum will host a free watch party for the Women’s World Cup final. Spectators can get in on all the action via the museum’s Pitch Gallery screen, but make sure to book a free ticket here. Your ticket also entitles you to a free post-match peek at the museum’s main galleries, exploring the history of the women’s game through new displays and objects.
Before the action gets underway, the museum has a series of activities to get visitors of all ages warmed up for the big game, including arts and crafts, Subbuteo sessions (one for the big kids too), in addition to museum admission and the wondeful ‘Our Time is Now‘ photography exhibition, showcasing the positive effects of the Lionesses’ WEURO success on the next generation.
National Football Museum, Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester M4 3BG.
19. Feel Good Club
A favourite safe space for many, coffee shop and so much more Feel Good Club has been properly getting into the Women’s World Cup, and that’s not changing for the final! The welcoming Manchester spot provides an environment full of love and enthusiasm to enjoy the beautiful game, and the food and drink accompanying it is nothing short of delicious. Whether you’re in a brunch mood or just fancy snacking, Feel Good Club has got you covered, and often provides all the dogs to improve your day – which will be handy if the final goes to penalties (touch wood).
Feel Good Club, 26-28 Hilton St, Manchester M1 2EH.
20. New Century
New Century Kitchen will be screening the final against Spain this Sunday, but space is limited so make sure to get down early to secure a good spot! Bring it home this Sunday and go bottomless for £30pp, or for an extra fiver you can upgrade for some extra cocktail choices to enjoy the final with. You can even go for goal and score a quality lunch, from succulent steaks to delicious samosas – New Century has you covered whatever your taste.
There’s limited availability so if you want to snag a spot drop an email to hello@newcenturymcr.com to guarantee 90 minutes of free-flowing cocktails to have alongside 90 minutes of free flowing football (hopefully).
New Century, 34 Hanover St, Manchester M4 4AH.
21. Nell’s Pizza
A big favourite of the Lionesses themselves, all Nell’s Pizza outlets – Common, Kampus and The Beagle in Chorlton – will be screening the Women’s World Cup final. There’ll be pizza and pints galore at all Nell’s sites, ensuring a great time, despite the tension of the game. Try some of the ‘za that Sarina likes so much and raise a glass to the girls – haven’t they been incredible?
Nell’s, 22 Minshull St, Kampus M1 3EF | Common, 39-41 Edge St, Manchester M4 1HW | The Beagle, 456-458 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 0BQ.
22. Piccadilly Gardens Fan Zone
Football fans will be able turn up at the Manchester fan zone, being set up for the day in Piccadilly Gardens with two big screens which will show the build-up to the Women’s World Cup final and live as-it-happens coverage of what is sure to be a thrilling match between the two sides. Entrance into the fan-zone will be from 10am on a first-come, first-served basis, with capacity capped at 6,000.
No tickets are required to enter the Piccadilly Gardens Women’s World Cup fan zone on Sunday, but demand will be high so get there as early as possible to avoid disappointment…
Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester.
23. YES
Usually known for its amazing club nights and great atmosphere, YES will be cracking open its doors just a few hours after the Saturday night party animals have left, at 10:30am, for its very own Women’s World Cup final screening. Snap up free tickets here, which will also get you free slices of pizza at half time, and the bars will open for something to wash it down with – it couldn’t get any better!
YES, 38 Charles St, Manchester M1 7DB.
24. The Refuge
Kimpton Clocktower has announced they’ll be showing the game on The Refuge Terrace so Mancunians can support the Lionesses together. The Refuge Terrace will open at 10:30am for the free screening, with all the lovely amenities we’re used to at this historical venue. The terrace is the perfect place to cheer England on whatever the weather thanks to the teepee style covering that stretches over the hidden space, where you can sip on a coffee (or a cocktail) as the Lionesses seal their fate. Book your free tickets here.
The Refuge, Oxford Street Manchester M60 7HA.
Also published on Medium.