USA vs. Ghana: Best Places Watch 2014 World Cup

Every four years the soccer fanatics in San Francisco put everything on hold for a month to watch every possible game of the World Cup.

The USA seeks revenge against Ghana on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 3pm live from Brazil. Ghana knocked the USA out of both the 2010 and 2006 World Cups. No matter where you go make sure to arrive early.

Watch by yourself or at home

• TV: All the games are broadcast in English on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. View the entire TV schedule.
• Streaming ESPN: Use the app WatchESPN (if you have a cable TV subscription.. sorry, DirecTV doesn’t count).
• Streaming: Univision: Thankfully Spanish-language Univision shows live streams all games through the Round of 16 free – no cable subscription required

Or do like they do in the rest of the world and find someplace fun to watch the games live from Brazil with a big group.

Funcheap’s Best Places to Watch the 2014 World Cup
San Francisco Bay Area

 Big Screen in front of City Hall | SF

SF Rec & Parks got some dough from Twitter so their putting on free public screenings of several high profile games on a relatively large screen (13×17) in front of City Hall at Civic Center. Expect mini soccer games and youth skills clinics for the kids. Select games only – Free screenings take place 6/14, 6/16 (USA vs. Ghana), 6/17, 6/22 (USA vs. Portugal), 6/26 (USA vs. Germany) plus the Semifinal on 7/9 and the Final on 7/13. FREE, Civic Center Plaza, SF.

SoMa StrEat Food Park | SF
Food Trucks & Beer Garden

Funcheap hosts a series of free game watch parties at SoMa StrEat Food Park. Showing almost all the games (except for a few of the 9am games) expect 12 HD screens, a festive soccer atmosphere with Brazilian beer and special themed events (think sushi trucks and sake bombs during the Japan games and even a pig roast on Father’s Day) Plus there’s free Wifi so you can pretend you’re working during the day games. FREE. RSVP on Facebook. 428 11th Street, SF.

The New Parkway | Oakland
World Cup in a Movie Theater

Watch the games on a 30-foot screen while kicking back on a comfy couch or lounge chair at the quirky The New Parkway in Oakland. There’s free wifi, plus a full menu of food with tons of local craft beers. Opening match FREE, Most games $5, USA games are $10, Final game is $15. 474, 24th Street, Oakland.

Vine Cinema and Alehouse | Livermore
World Cup in a Movie Theater

Watch all USA and Mexico first round matches free on what we’re told is one of the biggest screens in the East Bay – we’re talking 30 feet wide in HD with seating for over 200 people at this Livermore movie theater with tables and couches.  USA games (6/16 vs. Ghana; 6/22 vs. Portugal; 6/26 vs. Germany) plus Mexico games (6/13 vs. Cameroon; 6/17 vs. Brazil; 6/23 vs. Croatia). FREE. 1772 1st Street, Livermore.

San Jose Quakes Free Outdoor Screenings | San Jose

The San Jose Earthquakes invite to come out for 10 outdoor viewing events with live coverage of 20 games throughout the 2014 World Cup in San Jose along with food trucks and giveaways and post-game outdoor movie screenings on 6/14 and 6/22. Round 1 games (June 14-17) are shown at Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, Round 2 games (June 21-22) as well as the quarter finals and finals are shown at St. James Park. FREE. Plaza de Cesar Chavez, S. Market Street and Park Ave., San Jose; St. James Park, E. St. James St. and N. 2nd St., San Jose.

Opening Match in an Historic Chinatown Theater | SF

Watch the opening match of the 2014 World Cup (Brazil vs. Croatia) on what we’re told is a 40 ft screen with an HD projector in a one of-a-kind venue… a Chinatown opera theater. This free event is hosted by [freespace] who normally throw events in SoMa, but are taking over this Chinatown venue for a one-day-only event. The game starts at 1 pm. During halftime, join in and video chat with fans from around the world. FREE. Great Star Theater, 636 Jackson, SF. June 12th only.

Harrington’s Bar and Grill | SF
Fanatic soccer following

One of the most intense places to watch the World Cup in SF, this downtown pub serves breakfast for the early games and sheppard’s pie for the later games along with a big selection of European and Irish beers. Expect HD feeds and surround sound and passionate, knowledgeable fans. FREE. 425 Front St., SF. Monday through Saturday only. No Sunday games.

Irish Bank | SF

Even though Ireland is nowhere to be seen in the 2014 World Cup, the Irish are still mad about football. This Financial District Irish pub says they have two projection screens, rotating beer specials and will open up early for every match including the 9am games. FREE. 10 Mark Ln., SF (beware that sometimes they have been known to charge a cover with no advanced warning)

Monarch | SF

The swanky, yet approachable Monarch in SoMa shows most of the games (no 9am games except for USA vs. Germany on 6/26) on two flat screens and one giant screen along with free wifi. They’ll have $4 beers, $5 wells and cheap food and snacks including free chips and salsa during the opening match Brazil vs. Croatia. Doors open 30 mins before each match. FREE. 101 6th Street, SoMa.

Need More? For an excellent round up of pubs and bars showing the World Cup in SF and Oakland, visit sf.eater.com