The 2026 World Cup is here (June 11 to July 19), and if you’re in Tel Aviv, the perfect plan is basically handed to you: a city that never sleeps, beaches that stay open till sunrise, and bars for every taste. The only tough call is figuring out where to watch the World Cup in Tel Aviv without picking wrong.
We’re not here to send you to “a place with a TV.” We’re here to hand you the full map — from the classic sports bar to the underground club where the party keeps going long after the final whistle. Whatever your vibe, there’s a bar with your name on it.
Before you head out: what time are the matches in Israel?
The 2026 World Cup is being played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, so kickoff times are built around the Americas. The good news? For Israel, the matches almost always land at the perfect time to go out. Israel is seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time (ET), which means:
| Kickoff (U.S. Eastern / ET) | Israel time |
|---|---|
| 12:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 1:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 3:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
| 4:00 PM | 11:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 1:00 AM |
| 9:00 PM | 4:00 AM |
In other words, the midday and afternoon U.S. matches are your prime-time, dinner-and-a-beer slot in Tel Aviv. The late U.S. kickoffs are for the truly committed (or for anyone already out anyway). Either way, give the bar a heads-up if you want a table for a big match, because they fill up fast.
1. Mike’s Place — the gold-standard sports bar
If you’re only hitting one spot to watch soccer in Tel Aviv, make it this one. Mike’s Place is practically a synonym for “sports bar” in Israel — an institution for over three decades, with screens everywhere and live coverage of just about any sport you can name. The beachfront location on the Herbert Samuel promenade adds a Mediterranean view, indoor and outdoor seating, and that unmistakable ’90s live-rock vibe.
Burgers, wings, beer on tap, an afternoon happy hour, and English-speaking staff (a longtime hangout for internationals and English speakers). For a World Cup match, the energy here is going to be electric.
Best for: watching the match for real, surrounded by fans, with a cold beer in hand.
2. Molly Bloom’s — the Irish pub for soccer diehards
When it comes to soccer, Molly Bloom’s is one of the best bets in the city. It’s Tel Aviv’s classic Irish pub: beer on tap, cider, pub food that runs from burgers to homemade shepherd’s pie, and a crowd that knows exactly what it means to scream at a goal.
This is one of those places where soccer and rugby are basically religion, so for a World Cup it’s a perfect match. Grab a beer, find a spot near a screen, and settle in.
Best for: anyone who wants a pint, a screen, and a genuine pub atmosphere.
3. The craft beer stop: local brews with personality
If beer with personality is your thing, the move is to track down a good craft beer spot. Tel Aviv’s craft beer scene is booming, with menus that pull together dozens of local drafts — including some wild combos with mint, mango, and other regional herbs and fruits.
The feel is laid-back, low-key, and very local. These aren’t the sports bars with giant screens on every wall, but the craft beer spots around the Carmel Market and in the Florentin neighborhood are surrounded by tiny bars where everyone eventually winds up, so you still get a great party buzz to go with a quality brew while you catch the match.
Best for: beer lovers who’d take quality and a neighborhood feel over twenty screens.
4. Lalaland and La Mer — catch the World Cup with your feet in the sand
Who says you have to hole up in a pub? In Tel Aviv you can watch the match with the sea as your backdrop, and two beach bars pull it off.
Lalaland, on Gordon Beach, is that beachside HQ where the day starts with brunch, rolls on with sun loungers, and turns into a full-on party come nightfall (open from morning until 2 AM). For an afternoon or evening match, a drink with your feet in the sand is hard to beat.
La Mer, right on Tel Aviv’s seafront promenade, is the more polished option: a white building, that iconic red glow at sunset, deep-house DJs, and a rosé-at-golden-hour kind of mood. It’s more about kicking back than screaming at goals, but it’s perfect for kicking off (or wrapping up) the night in style after the match.
Best for: mixing soccer, beach, and summer. The most Tel Aviv plan there is.
Tip: unlike sports bars, beach bars don’t always show the matches on screen. Call ahead to make sure they’ll be playing the game you want to see.
5. Kuli Alma — where the party keeps going after the final whistle
Kuli Alma isn’t exactly a sports bar, and that’s exactly why it made the list. It’s one of the coolest underground clubs in the city: street art on the walls, multiple rooms, top-tier DJs, art shows, and a crowd of creatives, travelers, and locals in their element. It’s on the corner of Yehuda Halevi and Allenby, a stone’s throw from Rothschild.
The play? Catch the match at one of the other spots on this list, and when it’s over, head here to celebrate (or drown your sorrows) into the early hours. It’s the perfect after-party.
Best for: keeping the night going with music, art, and the best alternative energy in Tel Aviv.
6. Abraham Hostel — the international meeting spot
If you want to watch the World Cup surrounded by people from all over the world, Abraham Hostel (on Levontin Street 21, right downtown) is the most social pick. Between its famous green rooftop and its roomy lounge, it’s a magnet for backpackers, travelers, and internationals who make friends in a matter of minutes.
There are events, live music, and on Saturday nights the hostel’s legendary pub crawl rolls out: VIP entry to a handful of bars, no lines, and a free shot at every stop. For a World Cup, there’s no better place to make friends from five different countries and celebrate other people’s goals like they’re your own.
Best for: travelers, solo or in a group, who want an international scene and to meet new people.
7. Bar hopping on Dizengoff — build your own World Cup crawl
And if you can’t pick just one spot… don’t. Dizengoff Street is the heart of Tel Aviv nightlife: shops and cafés by day, but once the sun goes down it turns into a parade of bars lined up side by side. The World Cup strategy is simple — bar hop from screen to screen.
A few must-stops:
- Beer Garden (next to Dizengoff Square): beers, a lively outdoor scene, and a killer happy hour with up to 50% off. The ideal starting point.
- Jasper Johns: creative cocktails with an old-New-York feel, perfect for leveling up the night.
- Spicehaus and Double Standard: for fans of well-made cocktails, with that lab-experiment look Dizengoff loves.
The whole idea is to walk it, stopping wherever the vibe and the screen are best, and let the night take you.
Best for: the indecisive, and anyone who wants to experience Tel Aviv nightlife to the fullest.
Tips for watching the World Cup in Tel Aviv like a local
Before you head out to catch the matches live, keep these in mind so you don’t strike out:
- Book ahead. For big matches and weekends, the best sports bars in Tel Aviv fill up fast. A call or a text locks in your spot in front of the screen.
- Hit the happy hour. Lots of bars around the city run two-for-one deals or up to 50% off in the late afternoon — right when the prime-time matches kick off in Israel.
- Confirm the broadcast. Not every spot shows every match. If you’re going for a specific game, ask ahead whether they’ll be playing it.
- Mix in. Tel Aviv is a seriously international city, so it’s easy to end up watching the World Cup with fans from all over. That’s half the fun.
- Go on foot. The best areas to watch soccer and bar hop — Dizengoff, Rothschild, downtown, and the beach — are all within easy walking distance of each other.
The takeaway: where to watch the World Cup in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is, hands down, one of the best cities in the world to experience a World Cup: perfect weather, beaches, endless nightlife, and bars for every kind of fan. Whether you’re after screens and beer at Mike’s Place, a pint at Molly Bloom’s, sand under your feet at Lalaland, or a night that never ends at Kuli Alma, the 2026 World Cup is one to soak up.
And if you’re spending a season in Israel — say, on a Masa Israel program — there’s no faster way to feel like a local than catching a match with new friends in Tel Aviv. Make your plan, call the bar to reserve, and let the games begin. ⚽
FAQs About Where to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Tel Aviv
What’s the best bar to watch the World Cup in Tel Aviv?
For soccer with screens and a real fan atmosphere, Mike’s Place and Molly Bloom’s are the safest bets. If you want the beach, head to Lalaland or La Mer; if you want craft beer, look for the craft beer spots around the Carmel Market or in Florentin.
What time are the 2026 World Cup matches in Israel?
Israel is seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. The midday and afternoon U.S. matches land between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM in Israel — the perfect time to go out.
Should I reserve a table to watch a match?
Yes, especially for big matches and weekends. The best spots fill up fast, so give them a heads-up if you’re coming with a group.
Are there options to watch the World Cup near the beach?
Definitely. Lalaland (Gordon Beach) and La Mer (on the seafront promenade) let you enjoy the match and the Mediterranean sunset at the same time.
