Where is the best place to watch the World Cup in Riga?

The FIFA World Cup is fast approaching. It will take place in Russia, but will attract the attention of billions around the world, and it is safe to say that Latvia will also have plenty of interest in this event. But where in Riga will be the best place to watch the beautiful game? Here are a few options!

Arena 29

Arena 29 is located in the premises of the sports bar, where the latest major sporting events from around the world are shown in three halls, and the World Cup will certainly receive the greatest attention in June. You can enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks and great company at the same time.

This sports bar was established by Kaspars Daugaviņš, a very popular Latvian ice hockey player, together with former footballer Marsels Vapnis. Their influence also means that, if you are a true football fan—or at least know something about sport—you will almost always find like-minded people here with whom to discuss Lionel Messi’s goals, Germany’s dominance or the beautiful tactical play of the Spanish national team.

Kiwi Bar

Kiwi Bar is closely associated with a nearby Indian restaurant, which offers customers the opportunity not to waste time looking for somewhere to have lunch or dinner during the matches, but to order food on-site instead. Several screens are available, allowing you to watch World Cup matches according to your preferences, and the bar’s representatives state on their website that they are happy to welcome not only football fans but also rugby enthusiasts, as they are especially supportive of the sport of rugby.

Paddy Wheelans

The FIFA World Cup is one of the most important sporting events in the world, if not the most important, and one of the topics most widely discussed by football fans is trying to draw the right conclusions about the favourites and potential surprise contenders. And “Paddy Wheelans,” as a genuine Irish pub, offers an authentic football atmosphere where you can exchange impressions about the match, receive advice even from strangers you have just met, and enjoy the flavour of football to the fullest.

Victory Pub

Victory Pub stands out from most of the other entertainment venues in Riga’s Old Town because it offers not only the chance to watch World Cup matches, but also the opportunity to try your hand at various games during the break in its special Games Room. There you will find a foosball table, a dartboard and an English-style billiard table, as well as the traditional Latvian game novuss—all of which are ideal for relaxing before and after World Cup matches and taking your mind off the intense intrigue that will inevitably occupy football fans’ thoughts during the tournament.

Brooklyn Pub

This venue, distinguished by its wide selection of beer (26 different draught beers) and whisky, is intended for football fans who know how to appreciate what surrounds them. Sporting excitement is also very familiar here, as this is where the quiz organised by Riga’s sports enthusiasts often takes place, attracting many teams. In June, of course, the main attention will be focused on entirely different competitions.

The World Cup will begin on 14 June and will take place in our eastern neighbouring country for a month, until the new world champion is finally determined. When setting World Cup odds and predictions, “Betsafe” bookmakers view favourably the possibility that Germany will remain world champions: their chances of winning are assessed at 18%, while only Brazil’s are higher, at 19%. Brazil will certainly want to face Germany during the tournament to avenge its failure in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup, when it lost 1–7. Spain is also seeking revenge; it is the third favourite for the 2018 World Cup, with an attributed 14% chance of victory, even though it failed to make it out of the group stage at the previous tournament.