The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic tournament with 48 teams competing for the trophy across three host countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic tournament with 48 teams competing for the trophy across three host countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. Credit: Pricila Flores / Noozhawk photo

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off on Thursday.

This year marks a historic tournament with 48 teams competing for the trophy across three host countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. 

Santa Barbara County is hosting two of the teams: the Austrian and Qatar national teams. 

The Austrian team has been practicing at UC Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium, while the Qatar team has been at Westmont College.

In anticipation of the tournament, various watch parties have been scheduled across the county between June 11 through July 19. Here’s where:

Santa Barbara 

Santa Barbara Public Library

On Friday, the library will host a free watch party for the match between the United States and Paraguay national teams at 40 E. Anapamu St. from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

On Thursday, June 25, it will host another watch party for the match between the USA and Turkey from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive an hour before the matches start to set up their chairs and blankets.

Astroturf will be laid on the plaza, and Mister Softee will serve ice cream cones on both days.

The watch parties are are co-sponsored by First District Supervisor Roy Lee, City of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Public Library.

Arlington Theatre

The Arlington Theatre at 1317 State St. will host a watch party starting at 5 p.m. for the USA and Paraguay match on Friday.

CVS Pharmacy

CVS Pharmacy is set to host a free soccer block party at its store on 336 N. Milpas St. on June 14.

The Sunday event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will have mini soccer skills training stations, free tote day bags, snacks and products, according to the press release.

More than 30 CVS Pharmacy stores across the country are participating in similar events for the World Cup, according to the press release.

For more information, click here.

Goleta

Goleta Community Center

For Goleta residents wanting to catch the United States and Paraguay match, a free watch party will be held at the Goleta Community Center on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 5679 Hollister Ave. 

There will be World Cup-themed activities, and free tacos and burritos from Don Pepe’s Mexican food, according to a City of Goleta press release. 

Old Town Goleta

Additionally, two free Old Town block parties are scheduled for Wednesday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 24, both from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 5827 Hollister Ave.

The block parties near the Community West Bank parking lot will have live music, games, entertainment, food trucks and community vendors. 

The June 17 block party will stream the Colombia versus Uzbekistan game at 7 p.m. The June 24 block party will stream the Mexico versus Czechia game at 6 p.m.

Orcutt

The American Outlaws Santa Maria is partnering with Old Town Biergarten for its watch parties. 

On Friday, the group will host a watch party at 125 S. Broadway St. for the match between the United States and Paraguay. 

American Outlaws is a nationwide organization that describes itself as “the largest supporters group for the U.S. national soccer teams.”

Santa Maria has its own chapter, which will be gathering in Old Orcutt to support the U.S. team throughout the World Cup, according to its social media. 

Watching at Local Breweries, Restaurants

Stroll into almost any brewery or restaurant with televisions in Santa Barbara County and chances are they will be showing the games. 

When in doubt, follow the banners and flags that are already on display in many restaurants and breweries.

Dom’s Taverna

Dom’s Taverna at 30 E. Victoria St. in Santa Barbara will host World Cup watch parties on Thursday and June 19 from noon to 3 p.m.

For Thursday’s watch party, attendees will watch Mexico face off against South Africa. 

Additionally, the restaurant will show all the afternoon and evening games on its television screens. 

Augie’s 

Mexican restaurant Augie’s in downtown Santa Barbara will show the games at 700 State St. 

On Thursday, it also will show the Mexico match against South Africa.

The Press Room

One of the most popular places to watch live World Cup matches is the Press Room at 15 E. Ortega St. in Santa Barbara.

Other places known to stream games, according to a list compiled by Visit Santa Barbara, are:

  • Dargan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, 18 E. Ortega St.
  • Cooney’s in the Santa Barbara Public Market, 38 W. Victoria St.
  • Baja Sharkeez, 525 State St.
  • Shaker Mill, 418 State St.
  • Buena Onda Empanadas, 724 E. Haley St.
  • Finnery’s Crafthouse, 35 State St.
  • Validation Ale, 102 E. Yanonali St.
  • M. Special Brewing Co., 634 State St. and 6860 Cortona Drive
  • O’Malley’s Bar at 523 State St.
  • Lama Dog Tap Room + Bottle Shop, 116 Santa Barbara St. and 3435 State St.
  • Captain Fatty’s Brewery, 6489 Calle Real, Suite D
  • Figueroa Mountain Brewing, 137 Anacapa St., 2363 Alamo Pintado Ave. in Los Olivos and 45 Industrial Way in Buellton 
  • The Brewhouse, 229 W. Montecito St.
  • SB Biergarten at 11 Anacapa St.
  • Joe’s Cafe at 536 State St.
  • Roundin’ Third at 7398 Calle Real, Suite G
  • Uptown Lounge at 3126 State St.
  • Chumash Casino Sports Bar at 3400 E. Highway 246

Other locations streaming this year’s games are:

  • Mel’s Cantina, 209 W. Carrillo St.
  • Centennial Beer Hall, 5871 Hollister Ave.
  • Rinkside Cafe at Ice in Paradise,  6985 Santa Felicia Drive
  • NoTown Tavern, 5114 Hollister Ave.

Union Station

While not in Santa Barbara County, Union Station will host the Los Angeles World Cup 26 Fan Zone from June 25-28, beginning at 10:30 a.m., which Santa Barbara County residents can access.

Community members can hop on an Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train, where it will drop them off at the zone for live match viewing, meet and greets, music and fan experiences. 

“This is one of the most premier events Southern California has seen in a long time, and we want every fan — whether they’re coming from San Diego, Orange County or the Central Coast — to have a great experience from the moment they step on the train,” said Jason Jewell, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency managing director.

The Pacific Surfliner has added late-night departures from Union Station on June 12, June, 13, June 15 and June 25 for key match dates, according to a press release. 

Advanced booking is encouraged. Beginning Thursday, all Pacific Surfliner trains will require a reservation through July 19.

Did we miss anything? Let us know about World Cup watch parties at news@noozhawk.com.

Pricila Flores is a Noozhawk staff writer and California Local News Fellow. She can be reached at pflores@noozhawk.com.