11 great places to watch live sports in England

Café Football has fast become one of the go-to destinations in Manchester to watch all the latest sporting action. Situated on the ground floor of Hotel Football, this sports bar is a meeting hub for Mancunian sports fanatics. With a fun atmosphere, you can enjoy a cheeky burger while cheering on your team.

Cafe Kick is one of the best places to watch the football in London. Located on trendy Shoreditch High Street, the bar has floor-to-ceiling displays of colourful memorabilia that will really get you in the mood to cheer on your team. There is also a daily happy hour between 4 and 7pm and the kitchen is open all day on the weekends.

The Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes promises a sports experience like no other, with the thrills and spills of match day combined with the charm of an old-school gentlemen’s club. Step inside and you’ll find Chesterfield sofas, bankers’ lamps and bookcases and plenty of huge TVs to watch. If you’re feeling peckish at this bar in Leeds, sharing platters, burgers and homemade pies will hush your grumbling belly.

The Lord Clifden pub is located in the historic Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham. You’ll rub shoulders with fellow sports fans watching the match in the sizeable beer garden. Make sure you’ve left plenty of room for food, the menu will be sure to make your mouth water.

Sharkey’s Sports Bar isn’t your conventional night out; discover a cosy sports den, decked out with pool tables, dart boards, comfortable lounge chairs and plenty of big screen TVs. Order some dishes from the bar and grill, then settle in for the night and get ready to shout and cheer on your team.

Soak up the atmosphere of the legendary St James’ Park, home to Newcastle United, at Nine Sports Bar & Lounge. Enter to find a modern interior, comfortable seating and plenty of TVs. There is an extensive menu of food and drinks including cocktails to enjoy whilst watching the latest sporting action.

Experience Manchester’s famous Northern Quarter and get your live sports fix at Dive Bar and Grill. Named as one of the city’s top spots for live sports by Sky Sports, matches of all kinds are displayed on the bar’s high-def screens – get the best seats in the house by booking a booth in advance. There is also a heated outdoor dining terrace and tempting steakhouse for a post-match meal. 

Surrounded by the historic architecture of the University of Cambridge, the Brew House boasts its own on-site micro-brewery, allowing you to enjoy live sporting action with a true taste of Cambridge. Combined with a highly rated food menu (their pie selection is a real winner), it’s easy to see why the Brew House is quickly becoming a local favourite.

Already a firm favourite in East London, Stratford’s The Bat and Ball is quickly growing in popularity with sports fans of all kinds, thanks to its amazing atmosphere and mix of pre or post-match entertainments including pool and table tennis. Whether you’re looking to catch the game with a pizza and drinks, or looking to book into a private karaoke room, The Bat and Ball has a little bit of everything to offer.

Sheffield is steeped in sporting history and the city is still a hotspot of atmosphere and excitement whenever there’s a big game on. The Common Room can be found in the heart of the city, and with more than 50 TV screens across two floors, it’s one of the liveliest bars in town when a major event is on.

Shark Club Gastro Bar is just a stone’s throw from St James’ Park and provides a great setting for pre and post-match pints, whether you’re heading into the stadium or catching the action on the bar’s screens. Combined with a variety of special offers (45p per wing on a Friday night anyone?), this is one of the most exciting bars for live sport in Newcastle.