THE World Cup has kicked off and you can watch matches down your local pub or at a fan zone.
You don’t even have to miss your holiday to join in the football fever.
Hotels, sports bars and holiday parks across the UK and abroad are showing the games so you can cheer on your team wherever you are.
Trisha Harbord selects ten winning breaks where there is lots to do when you’re not in front of the big screen.
EDINBURGH
SCOTLAND are in their first World Cup for 28 years, so excitement in the country is electric — and watching matches in beautiful Edinburgh will be unforgettable.
Try Irish bar Malones, which was voted “Best venue to watch the match 2026”.
Walk in or book a table at malonesedinburgh.com.
At Belushi’s bar, there are DJs and live music after the final whistle. See belushis.com.
You can also watch in fan zones The Gyle and The Pitt.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, Tripadvisor’s No1 attraction in the world, take a castle and Royal Mile walking tour, and taste whisky at the Johnnie Walker Experience.
GO: Double rooms at Tynecastle Park Hotel are from £135 a night. See tynecastleparkhotel.com.
BUTLIN’S RESORTS
BUTLIN’S resorts in Minehead, Skegness and Bognor Regis have big-screen venues galore, including Studio 36, which can hold 2,000 people.
The resorts — which just won VisitEngland’s Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award — also have deals including two cocktails for £14 and four pints for £23.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: Cool down in Splash Waterworld with flumes and rapids, hop on fairground rides, enjoy live entertainment and chill in the spa.
You’re also right next to sandy beaches and seaside fun.
GO: The three-night Replay Big Weekender at Bognor Regis from June 26 (England match June 27), including Peter Andre concert, is from £244 per person, based on four sharing a two-bed Comfort room. See butlins.com.
LONDON SOUTH BANK
IT’S always buzzing on London’s South Bank, but the riverside walk is becoming a footie fanbase.
The Big Belly Bar will be screening all matches on ten mega-screens, so there’s no chance of missing any goals or getting a bad view.
Tickets for games cost from £11, including a welcome drink. Book at thebigbellybar.co.uk.
There will also be DJs and live entertainment before and after matches.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: Get breathtaking views of the city from the 442ft London Eye, see sharks at Sealife aquarium and superb art at Tate Modern.
Cross over the river to catch a West End theatre performance.
GO: Double rooms at Travelodge London Central Waterloo are from £55 a night. See travelodge.co.uk.
GREAT YARMOUTH
THERE will be a pop-up series of free screenings for every England fixture at Great Yarmouth’s historic Empire venue in Norfolk.
The Grade II-listed seafront landmark, which has just undergone a huge renovation, will start each match day with a two-hour DJ set, street food and craft beer before kick-off.
Then, the party will continue for an hour after the final whistle.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: Take a stroll along the 15 miles of glorious golden sands and enjoy an 18-hole adventure at the Pirates Cove golf course.
GO: Four nights’ self-catering in a Bronze Caravan at Haven’s Seashore park is from £165 in total. See haven.com.
UK-WIDE AWAY RESORTS
ALL 25 Away Resorts across the UK are showing matches, with some offering a festival vibe of deckchairs and picnic blankets in front of giant outdoor screens.
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park on the Isle of Wight has lodges, chalets, caravans and camping pitches, some with sea views and hot tubs.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: The resort has heated outside and indoor pools, a private sandy beach, bike hire and crazy golf.
See Carisbrooke and Yarmouth castles, and big cats at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. Nearby pub the King Lud is also showing matches.
GO: Four nights’ self-catering in a Comfort caravan, sleeping up to eight people, costs from £359 in total. See awayresorts.co.uk.
MYKONOS
EASYJET Holidays reckons more than a quarter of supporters are planning a fan-cation and are highlighting resorts that are going all-out for the tournament — screens on the beach, extended bar hours, etc.
The 4* Acrogiali Beach Hotel in Platis Gialos, on the Greek island of Mykonos, has luxurious zones with big screens on the sands.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: There are lots of bars and gift shops in the village of Platis Gialos. Get a taxi-boat to more secluded beaches.
Watersports include windsurfing and parasailing.
GO: Seven nights’ B&B, including flights from Gatwick, is from £789 per person. See easyjet.com/en/holidays.
SOUTH OF FRANCE
TAKE a two-hour flight and you can be on the sunny coast of southern France without missing a goal.
The lovely city of Perpignan is home to the friendliest sports bar, Delirium Cafe, showing matches on up to nine screens.
It has 27 beer taps and more than 100 bottled varieties. See deliriumcafeperpignan.com.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: Learn about the city’s history at the ancient fortification Castillet, see the cathedral and go shopping.
Swim in the Med, you are near the beaches of Canet-en-Roussillon.
GO: Ryanair flies from Stansted, Birmingham and Leeds Bradford to Perpignan with one-way fares from £20. Double room at hotel-bb.com from £54 a night.
TUNISIA
WATCH the final week of World Cup matches in a stunning resort by the ocean in Tunisia.
The 4* AQI Skanes Resort will be showing all games, including the final on July 19.
And youngsters can even join Football Academies, with FA and Uefa-certified coaches.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: The resort has more than 200 activities including archery, as well as shows, pools, five restaurants and a spa.
Medinas and souks in Sousse and Monastir are just minutes away.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive from Stansted on July 13 is from £942pp, based on two adults and two kids sharing. See tui.co.uk.
GRAN CANARIA
IMPRESS your friends by telling them you’re off to Gran Canaria for the weekend to watch England’s last qualifying game.
The 4* Servatur Puerto Azul, on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, will have big screens and there’s a 42in TV in your room, so you could watch matches from your balcony hammock.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: There’s a free shuttle service to Puerto Rico beach.
But you don’t need to leave this resort — there are five pools, sports courts, gym, spa, shows and live music. Restaurants and bars, too.
GO: Four nights’ B&B, including flights from Luton on June 26 (England play on June 27), costs from £395pp. See onthebeach.co.uk.
NORWEGIAN FJORDS
JOIN the wave of fans on the high seas. P&O Cruises has TV rights to show all matches on all its ships.
You could be on board for England’s final group game, against Panama, on June 27, if you take a Norwegian Fjords no-fly cruise.
P&O Cruises’ Britannia will welcome fans into Brodie’s bar.
WHEN NOT WATCHING: Enjoy the restaurants, spa, entertainment and pools.
Take excursions in beautiful towns and villages including Stavanger, Olden and Alesund.
GO: Seven nights’ full-board in an inside cabin, departing from Southampton on June 26, is from £699 per person. For further details see pocruises.com.