Best English Pubs in NYC for the 2026 World Cup

New York City has one of the largest English expat populations of any city outside the United Kingdom, and that community has built a pub scene that is genuinely world-class. During a major international soccer tournament, Manhattan's English pubs transform completely — white jerseys everywhere, chants building before kickoff, the kind of collective tension and release that you only get from watching live sport with people who genuinely care about the result.

England plays Panama at MetLife Stadium on June 27 — their only group stage match in the New York area. But every England match in Dallas and Boston will also be shown at every English pub in the city, and the pub atmosphere for an England World Cup match is something that has to be experienced.

The Best English Pubs in NYC for the World Cup

Nevada Smith's — 74 Third Ave, East Village

The most legendary soccer bar in New York City. Nevada Smith's has been showing matches since before most of its regulars were born, and it maintains a reputation as the place serious soccer fans go when the stakes are high. Multiple screens throughout the narrow, deep bar. It packs to capacity quickly for any England match — arrive 45 minutes before kickoff or you won't get in. The beer selection is adequate; that's not why you come. You come because the atmosphere during a big match is unlike any other bar in the city. English, Irish, Scottish, and international fans all mixed together, all knowledgeable, all loud.

The Churchill — 45 W 28th St, Midtown

Named for the wartime Prime Minister and decorated accordingly — Union Jacks, portraits, the full English theme. The Churchill is a proper English pub experience in Midtown: multiple screens, good selection of British ales and lagers on draft, and a kitchen serving fish and chips and other pub staples. Recommended for large groups because the space can handle it. Opens early for morning kickoffs and fills up quickly for England matches. Pre-book a table for the MetLife match day.

The Winslow — 243 E 40th St, Midtown East

A reliable Midtown English pub with multiple screens, strong beer selection, and the kind of regulars who know their soccer. The Winslow attracts a mix of expats and local soccer fans — the atmosphere for big England matches is excellent without being intimidating. Good food (proper fish and chips, pies) and enough space to accommodate large groups if you book ahead.

The Ainsworth — Multiple Locations (Chelsea, W Village, UES)

A group of NYC sports bars with an English-leaning sensibility and multiple large screens at each location. The Chelsea and West Village locations are particularly popular with England fans. The food is American sports bar (burgers, wings) but the atmosphere during an England World Cup match is electric. The multiple locations mean you have options if your first choice is at capacity.

Sunburnt Calf — 905 Second Ave, Midtown

An Australian bar that has become one of the best soccer-watching venues in Midtown by virtue of its passionate expat community and excellent screen setup. Australian fans have the same relationship with early-morning kickoffs and passionate soccer watching that English fans do, and the Calf has built an infrastructure around it. For England matches, particularly the MetLife game, the crowd will be enormous and the energy will be right.

Ulysses — 95 Pearl St, Financial District

The Financial District's most popular English pub, particularly busy with expats who work in finance and banking. Ulysses shows all major soccer matches and has a strong English community of regulars who have been coming here through multiple World Cup cycles. Less central than Midtown options but worth knowing if you're in lower Manhattan.

Pub Food: What to Order

• Fish and Chips — Battered cod or haddock with thick-cut chips. The English pub staple. Ask for malt vinegar, not ketchup.
• Scotch Egg — Hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs. A proper pub snack that most American bars can't pull off.
• Pie and Mash — Steak and ale pie or chicken and mushroom, with mashed potato. Filling, comforting, match-ready.
• Proper Pint — Look for Fuller's London Pride, Boddingtons, or any British real ale on tap. A proper pint in a proper glass makes the match better.
• Cornish Pasty — Pastry filled with beef and root vegetables. Some English pubs in NYC source these properly. A good sign when they do.

England vs Panama at MetLife — June 27

England's group stage concludes at MetLife Stadium on June 27. Panama are the weakest team in Group L — this is England's chance to top the group with a big win and set up a favorable knockout round path. The entire English-speaking NYC population will be watching, and thousands will be making the trip to MetLife.

From Penn Station, take NJ Transit to Secaucus Junction, then transfer to the Meadowlands match-day rail service. Allow 60–90 minutes from Midtown. Pre-purchase your transit tickets — they sell out for big matches. The pubs in the stadium vicinity (East Rutherford) have limited options, so eat and drink in Manhattan before heading out, or book a hotel near MetLife.

Early Kickoffs: The Pub Culture

One of the defining features of watching soccer in NYC as an English fan is the early morning kickoff. European matches typically kick off at 10am or 3pm ET. English pubs have entire rituals around this — opening at 7am, full English breakfasts (beans, toast, fried egg, sausage) alongside the first pint of the day. For World Cup matches played from US time zones, the kickoffs are more reasonable — but the tradition of arriving early, getting your spot, and building the atmosphere before kickoff remains.