The FIFA World Cup kicks off this Thursday, and San Francisco is set to host watch parties across the city. The Bay Area will host six matches between June 13 and July 1, but some of the best places to see those games will be at watch parties in San Francisco.

Official FIFA Watch Parties

FIFA has partnered with the city to host several free public events and watch parties. Expect to brave big turnouts. Events include a fan march from Crane Cove Park to a viewing party at Thrive City for Team USA’s first match on June 12, and a fan march from Pier 48 to Thrive City for Team Mexico’s first match on June 18.

Watch parties will also be held at Chase Center’s Thrive City, China Basin Park, Pier 39, Yerba Buena, The Midway, the Crossing at East Cut with Street Soccer USA. Other viewings throughout the tournament will be hosted at the Presidio Main Lawn and SPARK Social.

Bars and Restaurants Showing the Game

Over 100 bars and restaurants are expected to participate in “World Cup festivities” around the city. Mission Local has some special recommendations, field-tested by our staff and contributors, where you are guaranteed to find OG soccer fans.

Some of these destinations include Kezar Pub, Maggy Mcgeary, Mad Dog in the Fog, Danny Coyle’s, and The Pig and Whistle. Staying in the Mission? Check out Balompié Cafe #1 for a pupusa-watch party combo, or Pop’s bar and Napper Tandy on 24th Street if you’re trying to bar hop in between halves.

Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.