FIFA World Cup 2026 in Bend, Oregon
Where to Watch, What to Know, and How to Do It Right
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America. The U.S. is hosting. Games will be in cities like Seattle, LA, and the Bay Area. Bend is not a host city, but trust us, this town will show up.
If you’re in Bend during the World Cup, here’s how to do it right.
First, What to Know in Bend
Many matches will air in the morning or early afternoon because of time zones.
Weekday games will still draw crowds. Plan ahead.
Bend has a strong soccer community. Expect packed patios for big matches.
U.S. games will be the busiest by far.
Knockout rounds will feel like mini holidays here.
If the U.S. makes a deep run, downtown will be loud.
Best Bars to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Bend
These are the places that consistently show major sporting events and have the setup to handle a packed World Cup crowd.
Sidelines Sportsbar & Grill
Downtown on Wall Street. This is Bend’s true sports bar.
What to expect:
Wall-to-wall TVs. You will not miss a match.
Strong chance every major World Cup game is on.
Loud atmosphere for U.S. matches.
Full food menu. Wings, burgers, breakfast plates for early kickoffs.
Large beer selection and bar seating.
Best for:
Big groups
High energy knockout games
U.S. matches
Morning games when you want breakfast and soccer
Arrive early for U.S. group stage matches. It will fill up.
Hideaway Tavern (Downtown)
https://www.hideawaytavernbend.com/
A Bend staple. More local crowd than tourist crowd.
What to expect:
Multiple TVs across the bar and dining area.
Solid food that is better than typical bar food.
Strong patio option in summer.
Good balance between sports energy and relaxed vibe.
Best for:
Midday matches
Smaller groups
If you want good food and the game
Gets busy fast during big events. Downtown parking can be tight.
Hideaway Empire
https://www.hideawaytavernbend.com/
North Bend location. Same brand, different crowd.
What to expect:
Easier parking than downtown.
Good TV coverage.
More neighborhood feel.
Best for:
Avoiding downtown congestion
Weekend matches
Watching with family
River Pig Saloon
https://www.riverpigsaloon.com/bend
Right off Arizona Avenue downtown.
What to expect:
TVs at the bar.
Lively crowd.
Patio seating.
Strong drink menu.
Best for:
Evening knockout matches
Bar hopping after the game
If you want energy but not full sports bar chaos
This spot gets louder at night. Earlier games are more relaxed.
Mel’s Sports Bar
https://www.facebook.com/MelsSportsBarBend/
SE 3rd Street. Low key and reliable.
What to expect:
Classic sports bar layout.
TVs throughout.
No frills atmosphere.
Easy going crowd.
Best for:
Smaller groups
Less intense environment
If other places are packed
This is a good backup plan that often has space when downtown is full.
Cascade West Grub & Alehouse
https://www.facebook.com/cascadewestbend/
West side Bend. Big space.
What to expect:
Large seating area.
Plenty of TVs.
Full bar and comfort food.
Easier parking than downtown.
Best for:
Big groups
Afternoon matches
If you want guaranteed screen access
Not trendy. Just dependable.
Breweries That May Show Major Matches
Not every brewery in Bend focuses on sports. Some will show major U.S. matches or knockout rounds.
Deschutes Brewery Public House
https://deschutesbrewery.com/pages/bend-public-house
TVs inside.
Good for daytime viewing.
Better for casual watching than rowdy energy.
Boneyard Pub
https://boneyardbeer.com/pages/boneyard-pub
Has TVs.
More relaxed vibe.
Good for group stage matches.
Call ahead if the match matters to you. Some breweries prioritize conversation over sports.
Watching With Kids or a Bigger Group
If you have:
Kids
Out of town family
A big group
Look for:
Large seating areas
Outdoor patios
Places that take reservations
Sidelines and Cascade West are usually safest for space.
For something calmer, try The Grove or a brewery earlier in the day.
Want a Bigger Community Feel?
Check:
Local Bend soccer clubs
Youth soccer organizations
Social media groups
Downtown Bend event pages
There’s a good chance someone organizes watch parties for:
U.S. matches
Mexico matches
England matches
Knockout rounds
Bend has a mix of international residents and outdoor industry transplants. Expect flags.
Planning Around the Games
Here’s how locals will likely do it:
Morning match:
Coffee first.
Then straight to a bar that opens early.
Brunch after.
Afternoon match:
Work half day.
Watch at a brewery.
Patio hang after.
Evening match:
Downtown gets busy.
Make a reservation if possible.
Expect packed sidewalks.
Quick Tips From Someone in Bend
Arrive 30–45 minutes early for big games.
Confirm the game will have sound on.
Bring layers. Even patios get cold fast.
Downtown parking fills up quickly.
Ride bikes if you can.
Will Bend Host Any Official Events?
Bend is not a host city for matches. Those will be in major metros like Seattle and Los Angeles.
But with so many games on U.S. soil, expect:
Special drink menus
Themed nights
Possibly brewery collaborations
Community watch events
If the U.S. makes the semifinals or final, downtown will feel like a festival.
Where World Cup 2026 Games Will Be Played
And Which Cities Make the Most Sense From Bend
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Here are the host cities.
United States
Seattle
San Francisco Bay Area
Los Angeles
Dallas
Houston
Atlanta
Miami
Philadelphia
Boston
Kansas City
New York / New Jersey
Canada
Vancouver
Toronto
Mexico
Mexico City
Guadalajara
Monterrey
The final will be played in the New York / New Jersey area.
Closest and Most Realistic Options From Bend to Watch the FIFA World Cup in Person
If you live in Bend and want to actually go to a match, these are the ones that make the most sense.
Seattle
This is the easiest and most realistic option.
Why Seattle:
Closest major host city to Bend.
Multiple group stage and knockout matches.
Strong soccer culture.
Big stadium atmosphere.
Travel from Bend:
About an 8 hour drive.
Short direct flight from Redmond.
Easy long weekend trip.
If you are picking one city from Bend, this is it.
Vancouver
Second closest option.
Why Vancouver:
Western Canada host city.
Group stage and knockout matches.
Walkable downtown near the stadium.
Good summer weather.
Travel from Bend:
10+ hour drive with border crossing.
Short flight with connection or direct depending on schedule.
This is a good choice if you want an international feel without flying across the country.
San Francisco Bay Area
Very realistic from Bend.
Why San Francisco:
Multiple matches.
Easy flight from Redmond.
Strong fan atmosphere expected.
Combine with a long weekend trip.
Travel from Bend:
About a 2.5 hour flight.
Long drive but not ideal for a short trip.
This is a strong option if flights line up well.
Los Angeles
Another easy flight.
Why LA:
Big stadium.
High profile matches likely.
Tons of fan events.
Travel from Bend:
Short flight.
Not realistic as a drive for a quick trip.
Good choice if you want a bigger city World Cup vibe.
Cities That Are Farther From Bend
Dallas
Houston
Kansas City
Atlanta
Miami
Boston
Philadelphia
New York / New Jersey
Toronto
Mexico City
Guadalajara
Monterrey
All doable by flight. None realistic by drive from Bend unless you are making a full vacation out of it.
What Makes the Most Sense From Bend
If you want lowest effort, go to Seattle.
If you want West Coast but not Seattle, go to San Francisco or Los Angeles.
If you want international but still close, then go to Vancouver.
If you want the Final, then it’s New York / New Jersey.
