The challenge? London is home to over 2,500 pubs showing live sport, making it harder than ever to decide where to go. Some offer unbeatable atmospheres, others deliver giant screens, great food or the perfect spot to settle in for an afternoon that turns into an evening.
To help narrow the search, we've picked some of our favourite pubs across North, South, East, and West London. From legendary matchday institutions to neighbourhood favourites, these are the spots we'll be heading to this summer.
Pick your fixture, book a table, and enjoy the action.
€145
Few pubs in North London have a reputation quite like The Faltering Fullback. Best known for its sprawling multi-level beer garden and strong Irish roots, it draws a lively crowd whenever live sport is on the schedule. While rugby has long been part of its identity, football fixtures attract plenty of supporters, too.
Just a short walk from the Emirates Stadium, the Bank of Friendship sits in one of London's great football neighbourhoods. Inside, football memorabilia lines the walls and the atmosphere feels unmistakably rooted in the game. It's not the biggest pub on this list, but that's part of the appeal. A loyal local crowd, plenty of football conversation, and a traditional pub setting make it a brilliant place to settle in for a World Cup fixture and experience every moment alongside fellow fans.
A cornerstone of the Crouch End community, the Maynard Arms offers everything you'd want from a neighbourhood sports pub: multiple screens, plenty of seating, and a lively crowd of regulars. The spacious beer garden makes it particularly appealing during the summer months, whether you're settling in for a Premier League fixture, an afternoon of Wimbledon, or simply debriefing with friends over a pint.
Housed inside a vast former warehouse, Big Penny Social is one of the largest drinking venues in London. Giant screens, long communal tables, and capacity for hundreds of sports fans make it an easy choice for major tournaments and finals. If you're watching with a large group or want an atmosphere that grows with every goal, few venues in East London can match it.
Overlooking Clapton Common, the Crooked Billet combines everything you'd want from a great neighbourhood pub: traditional interiors, a sizeable beer garden, and a welcoming feel that keeps people coming back. Live sport is a big part of the offering, but it never feels like a sports bar. Instead, it delivers the kind of authentic matchday experience where football, conversation, and a good pint sit comfortably alongside one another.
Having recently re-opened, the newly defined William IV has quickly become one of Walthamstow's most popular pubs for everything from a casual pint to watching live sport. Multiple screens ensure you won't miss a moment of the action, while the kitchen is home to Short Road Pizza - named London's best pizza by Time Out. That combination of great sport, great food, and a lively local crowd makes it an easy recommendation for summer fixtures.
Tucked away just moments from Borough, The Ship offers a slightly more relaxed alternative to some of London's louder sports venues. Expect live sport alongside traditional pub surroundings, a strong food offering and a secluded beer garden that's ideal for settling in before kick-off and staying long after the final whistle.
If you're looking for atmosphere, Hope & Anchor delivers. The pub has become one of South London's go-to destinations for major sporting events, with multiple screens, a giant screen in the garden and one of the largest outdoor pub spaces in the area. On tournament days, the combination of packed crowds, flowing pints and big-match energy makes it hard to beat.
Spacious, lively, and unapologetically South London. With a huge beer garden, a crowd that loves an occasion, and screens showing the biggest fixtures from across the sporting calendar, The Effra strikes the perfect balance between sports pub and neighbourhood local. Whether you're watching a World Cup knockout match or a Wimbledon final, expect plenty of noise when the big moments arrive.
Built for big sporting occasions, The Prince is one of West London's premier destinations for watching live games. Its expansive courtyard, multiple viewing areas, and giant screens make it equally suited to a Wimbledon final in the sunshine or a packed-out football fixture after work. With plenty of space for large groups and a lively atmosphere throughout the summer, it's easy to see why it remains a favourite among sports fans.
When it comes to watching sport, few pubs in London have a reputation quite like Famous Three Kings. A long-standing institution among football, tennis and rugby fans alike, it's known for showing just about every major sporting event on the calendar. Expect wall-to-wall screens, a passionate crowd, and an atmosphere that feels closer to a stadium than a traditional pub when the action gets underway.
Not every great sports pub needs to feel like a sports bar. The Cow offers a more refined take on matchday viewing, pairing one of West London's most iconic pub settings with a strong live sports offering. Famous for its excellent food, quality Guinness, and loyal local following, it's the ideal choice for those who want to catch a big game or Wimbledon fixture without sacrificing the atmosphere of a great pub.
